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What Is Second-Degree Criminal Trespass in Arizona? (13-1503)

What Is Second-Degree Criminal Trespass in Arizona? (13-1503)

Michael Tamou, Arizona criminal defense attorney

Michael Tamou

Founding Attorney · Criminal Defense

5.0 · Criminal Defense

Arizona law has no charge called ‘aggravated’ trespassing: A.R.S. 13-1503 is second-degree criminal trespass, a class 2 misdemeanor for a nonresidential structure or fenced commercial yard, and trespass in a home or fenced residential yard is first degree under A.R.S. 13-1504.

Recognized By

NTL Top 100 Trial LawyersNTL Top 40 Under 40 Trial LawyersElite Lawyer 2026 Criminal Defense2027 Southwest Super LawyersNational College For DUI DefenseDUI Defense Lawyers Association
Michael Tamou, Arizona criminal defense attorney

Michael Tamou

Founding Attorney · Criminal Defense

★★★★★ 5.0 · Criminal Defense

Written and legally reviewed by Michael Tamou, Founding Attorney of Tamou Law Group, PLLC.

As Seen On

As Seen On NBC News, USA Today, Digital Journal, AZ Central, Lamar, ABC News, Fox News

Recognized By

NTL Top 100 Trial LawyersNTL Top 40 Under 40 Trial LawyersElite Lawyer 2026 Criminal DefenseNational College For DUI DefenseDUI Defense Lawyers Association2027 Southwest Super Lawyers

4 Things to Know About ARS §13-1502: Criminal Trespass in Arizona Exploring what is often called aggravated trespassing and its legal implications.

When it comes to understanding the legal landscape of what is often called aggravated trespassing in Arizona, charged as criminal trespass under ARS §13-1502 through §13-1504, it’s crucial to grasp the specifics that differentiate the more serious degrees from simple trespassing. At Tamou Law, we prioritize informing our clients and the broader community about the intricacies of such laws to empower and prepare them for any legal challenges they might face. This blog delves into four critical aspects of aggravated trespassing in Arizona, shedding light on what it entails, the potential consequences, defense strategies, and the importance of skilled legal representation.1

Understanding Aggravated Trespassing

Arizona statutes do not use the term aggravated trespassing; they grade criminal trespass in three degrees. Third degree (ARS §13-1502) covers remaining on property after a reasonable request to leave or notice prohibiting entry, second degree (ARS §13-1503) covers nonresidential structures and fenced commercial yards, and first degree (ARS §13-1504) covers residential structures and fenced residential yards. Entering with the intent to commit any theft or felony is burglary, not trespass. It’s the type of property involved that intensifies the legal repercussions and necessitate a deeper understanding of the law’s specifics.2

Legal Repercussions and Their Impact

The consequences of a criminal trespass conviction depend on the degree. Third degree is a class 3 misdemeanor, second degree is a class 2 misdemeanor, and first degree is a class 1 misdemeanor for a fenced residential yard and a class 6 felony for a residential structure. Penalties can range from fines to jail or prison, depending on the degree and the context of the offense. Beyond immediate penalties, a conviction can tarnish one’s record, affecting future employment, housing opportunities, and more. It’s imperative for individuals to recognize the breadth of these consequences and how they extend beyond the courtroom.3

Strategies for Defense

Challenging an aggravated trespassing charge often involves a multi-pronged defense strategy. Common defenses include contesting the prosecution’s evidence of intent, proving lack of notice regarding trespassing prohibitions, or demonstrating lawful presence on the property. Each defense is highly situational, requiring a nuanced understanding of the law and a tailored approach to the specifics of each case.4

The Value of Expert Legal Representation

Given the complexities of ARS §13-1502 and the significant stakes involved, securing experienced legal representation is non-negotiable. A skilled attorney can navigate the nuances of the law, advocate effectively on your behalf, and work towards the most favorable outcome. At Tamou Law, we’re dedicated to providing our clients with the comprehensive legal support they need to face aggravated trespassing charges with confidence.Understanding the intricacies of aggravated trespassing under Arizona law is essential for anyone facing such charges or seeking to avoid legal pitfalls. From comprehending the nature of the offense and its severe repercussions to exploring viable defense strategies and recognizing the importance of expert legal counsel, being well-informed is your first line of defense.If you’re grappling with an aggravated trespassing charge or have concerns about this complex legal area, Tamou Law is here to provide the guidance and representation you need. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 623-321-4699 to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

Award-Winning Criminal Defense Law Firm

When you are looking for the best Phoenix criminal defense lawyers, these are the independently verified credentials that matter, earned by Founding Attorney Michael Tamou and a full team of attorneys, including former prosecutors.

  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
  • 2027 Southwest Super Lawyers
  • Elite Lawyer 2026, Criminal Defense
  • National College for DUI Defense
  • DUI Defense Lawyers Association
Why Tamou Law Group

Why Tamou Law Group for Violent Crime Charges

Assault, robbery, weapons and threatening cases turn on identification, intent and whether the State can prove what actually happened in a few chaotic seconds. We rebuild those seconds with evidence rather than argument.

Armed robbery dismissed

Our published results include an armed robbery and aggravated assault case dismissed on identification and discovery failures, aggravated assault and weapons charges reduced, and a robbery charge resolved as a misdemeanor. We take these cases to the evidence, not to the first offer.

Former prosecutors and officers

Our team includes former prosecutors and law enforcement officers who have built violent-crime cases for the State. They know how body-camera footage, 911 audio and witness statements are supposed to line up, and how often they do not.

Self-defense and dangerousness

Arizona’s self-defense and dangerous-offense rules decide whether a case means probation or mandatory prison. We litigate the justification question and the dangerousness allegation separately, because each one changes the entire exposure.

Published results in this area

CaseChargesOutcome
State v. D.O.Armed robbery and aggravated assault (A.R.S. 13-1904, 13-1204)Dismissed
State v. Z.E.Aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and threatening (13-1204, 13-2904, 13-1202)Reduced charge
State v. R.B.Aggravated assault, misconduct involving weapons and endangerment (13-1204, 13-3102, 13-1201)Reduced charge
State v. E.K.Misconduct involving weapons and disorderly conduct (13-3102, 13-2904)Reduced to a misdemeanor
State v. R.M.Robbery and theft (13-1902, 13-1802)Reduced to a misdemeanor
State v. P.A.Disorderly conduct and assault (13-2904, 13-1203)Deferred prosecution
State v. H.C.Resisting arrest and disorderly conduct (13-2508, 13-2904)Probation, no jail

Anonymized outcomes from our case results page. Every case is different; past results do not guarantee a future outcome.

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What our clients say

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  • I highly recommend Michael Tamou! He recently handled my GCE application, and I couldn't be more grateful for his help. From the very beginning, Michael was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and thorough in making sure everything was completed perfectly. What stood out the most was his compassion—legal processes can be highly stressful, but he treated me with genuine care, kept me informed, and made me feel completely supported throughout. If you need a dedicated and skilled attorney who truly cares about his clients, look no further than Michael Tamou.

    DMDan MillerGoogle review · Oct 2026
  • Michael Tamou is an exceptional attorney! Facing a case that could affect my future was incredibly stressful, but from our first conversation, he provided honest guidance, reassurance, and a clear plan. He immediately got to work, personally reviewing the evidence and reports, filing the necessary motions, and keeping me informed throughout the process. His expertise, persistence, and genuine care gave me confidence that my case was in capable hands. I’m incredibly grateful that Michael achieved the outcome I had hoped and prayed for: my case was dismissed. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a skilled, dedicated, and caring attorney.

    TJTammy JohnsonGoogle review · Sep 2026
  • I had a great experience working with Michael. From the beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. They took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and always had my best interests in mind. Their dedication and attention to detail gave me confidence during a stressful time, and they achieved a positive outcome for my case. I truly appreciate their hard work and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an experienced and trustworthy attorney. Thank so much Tamou Law Group.

    AAAlejandra ArevaloGoogle review · Aug 2026
  • This is a great group of attorneys that work together!! There’s no other law firm I’d use for any situation. They put the time and effort into helping out any way they can. Mike and Kristie were both amazing in handling my situation and being transparent during the whole process.

    TTJ2KGoogle review · Nov 2026
  • I can’t thank Tamou Law Group enough for helping me with my case. They truly went above and beyond, and I’m incredibly grateful for their hard work, dedication, and support. Having a team in your corner that cares makes all the difference during a stressful time. Five stars don’t feel like enough! I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a law firm that will go the extra mile. Thank you for everything!

    EGEvan GibraelGoogle review · Oct 2026
  • I cannot recommend Ms. Jacie Cotterell highly enough. From start to finish, she was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. She was professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to answer my questions and explain everything clearly, which gave me a lot of peace of mind during a stressful situation. What stood out most was how genuinely caring and dedicated she was. I always felt like she had my best interests at heart, and her communication was excellent every step of the way. She made a difficult experience much easier to navigate and was always patient, supportive, and reassuring. I am incredibly grateful for all of her hard work and guidance. If you’re looking for someone who is compassionate, trustworthy, and truly committed to helping her clients, I wholeheartedly recommend Ms. Jacie Cotterell. Thank you again for everything, wyou made a lasting positive impact, and I truly appreciate all that you did.

    BPBlaze PeralesGoogle review · Aug 2026
  • Michael is hands down the best in the business. The day I called him he explained everything about my daughter’s situation and took the time to research the charges. He then gave me a price and gave me a chance to think it through before hiring him and two weeks later we retained his services. Michael went to work at that point with his team and brought results that no one else could do. My daughter now has a second chance to get her life on track over a few costly mistakes that could have landed her in prison and with a felony record but Michael did not allow that to happen. If you need solid representation that fights for you then hire Michael.

    RHrob hardeeGoogle review · Aug 2026
  • Kristie & Mike didn’t just see me as another client but as a person in need of help. The level of professionalism & communication going through my whole case made me feel at peace. Amazing lawyers & 10/10 would recommend!

    DNDanny NguyenGoogle review · Oct 2026
  • We {Carrie & Ted S.} are very pleased that we chose Mike Tamou Law Group to represent a criminal case that was against our granddaughter. The case against her was for two different ordeals, and in both situations - the cases were handled above & beyond what we expected. Because of Mike's quickness and professionalism, both situations were resolved in an expedited manor with positive results that we were extremely pleased with. Our granddaughter is also extremely pleased with the results. We would recommend {Mike} Tamou Law Group to anybody that is seeking legal advice in a criminal situation.

    TSTed SchroederGoogle review · Jul 2026
  • I had an aggravated DUI case class 4 felony. With an extensive criminal record of 7 prior felonies. Mr. Tamou did an outstanding job on my case, he got me the least possible amount of time. He got the prosecutor not to allege any of my priers. I did just 4 months with a probation tail. Other lawyers I spoke with prior to retaining M. Tamou, told me the best they could get, would be a few years in prison, due to my extensive criminal history. Michael said he would fight for me and he delivered. He has relationships with the prosecutors and judges and is a great negotiator. Also he was great with communicating with me throughout the process. Always returned my calls and text messages and kept me informed. I highly recommend him.

    PGPaul GonzalezGoogle review · May 2026
  • I had a great experience with Tamou Law! Michael was very helpful. He took the time to explain everything in a way that was easy for me to understand, which made the entire process feel much less overwhelming. He was patient, professional, and always made sure I felt informed and comfortable with each step. I truly appreciated his communication and support throughout! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

    SSandraGoogle review · Apr 2026
  • Michael is truly amazing. I am so happy that I chose him to help me with my legal situation. He is completely trustworthy. Michael was completely transparent and honest throughout the entire process and offered support to me like I was his own family member. He was patient and understanding and prompt in responding to any of my inquiries during my waiting period. His explanations were clear and logical, and I felt beyond comfortable with him. I really appreciate him and the staff in his practice, and I highly recommend him for anyone's legal needs!! Thank you, Michael! You're really the best. I appreciate you!

    RLRochelle LeeGoogle review · Feb 2026
  • Our family went through the worst time of our lives! It was wonderful to have Michael on our side fighting for us and giving us the advice we needed to take the right steps. Case Dismissed! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and support.

    RERussell EllisGoogle review · Aug 2026
  • He's the Greatest lawyer we could have ever asked for he put his heart into helping us and we came out with exactly what we wanted! I highly recommend him!

    JOJose OrtizGoogle review · Oct 2026
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I cannot thank Mike Tamou enough for what he did for my family. My son was facing serious charges that could have changed the course of his life forever. From the very beginning, Mr. Tamou treated us with compassion, respect, and honesty. He took the time to explain every step of the process, always making sure we understood what was happening and what to expect. His professionalism and dedication were unmatched. He worked tirelessly on my son’s case, exploring every possible option and fighting for the best outcome. Because of Mike’s skill, expertise, and determination, my son was saved from going to jail and now has the opportunity to move forward and rebuild his life. I am forever grateful for his hard work and would highly recommend Mike Tamou to anyone in need of a strong, knowledgeable, and caring defense attorney. He doesn’t just represent his clients—he truly fight for them.

    EHErin HernandezGoogle review · 2025
  • Michael did an amazing job helping my loved one with his case. He was the first call I made and I knew right then how much he truly cared for his clients. I highly recommend Tamou Law to anyone who reads this review. Michael worked extremely hard for us and exceeded my expectations of the outcome. He is compassionate, very knowledgeable, experienced, respected and very fair. He always took the time to take my calls and to listen to questions that we had. He works hard for his clients and is the kind of guy you want on your side. Thanks again Michael. You were a pleasure to work with.

    LBLaurie BryantGoogle review · 2024
  • Great experience from start to finish. Professional, responsive, and made a stressful situation much easier. I felt confident the whole time and really appreciated Michael’s support. Highly recommend!

    SMShivraj MannGoogle review · Apr 2026
  • Had a situation that Michael helped me through with the best possible outcome. Very responsive and actually cares about his clients.

    CJCaleb JohnsonGoogle review · Aug 2026
  • My son was an idiot and was in serious trouble. He was facing prison time. Fortunately, we were referred to Tamou Law Group by trusted friends and we are beyond grateful that we listened. From the onset, Michael helped to put our family at ease. We discussed the charges where Mike provided insight that helped adjust our expectations. Sure enough, it played out nearly exactly like Mike predicted. Mike put a strong case together – which resulted with no jail time! If you find yourself in need of legal representation, you should hire Michael Timou!

    AHArmando HernandezGoogle review · 2025
  • I can’t recommend Tamou law group enough. From day one, Micheal took the time to really listen, explained my options in a way that actually made sense, and built a strong strategy that put my mind at ease. The entire team was professional, responsive and genuinely caring throughout the whole process. They fought tirelessly and delivered a result that far exceeded my expectations. If you need a law firm you can trust completely, this is it. Thank you!

    BKBryan KingGoogle review · Dec 2025
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Two Arizona Offices, One Team

We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.

Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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