ARS 13-1212: Prisoner assault with bodily fluids
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-1212 on prisoner assault with bodily fluids, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 6 felony and exposure reaching up to 2 years in prison.
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Penalties for a § 13-1212 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-1212 is the Arizona statute on prisoner assault with bodily fluids. A violation is a class 6 felony, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 2 years in prison.
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 6 felony | 4 months | 6 months | 1 year | 1.5 years | 2 years |
Felony ranges are set by A.R.S. § 13-702(D) and apply to a first felony conviction that is not dangerous and not repetitive. A dangerous offense (§ 13-704), a repetitive offense (§ 13-703) or a dangerous crime against children (§ 13-705) carries a longer range, and some carry mandatory prison with no probation. Misdemeanor maximums come from §§ 13-707 and 13-802; surcharges are added on top of every fine.
Full Text of A.R.S. § 13-1212
A. A prisoner commits prisoner assault with bodily fluids if the prisoner throws or projects any bodily fluid at or onto a correctional facility employee or private prison security officer who the prisoner knows or reasonably should know is an employee of a correctional facility or is a private prison security officer.
B. A prisoner who is convicted of a violation of this section is liable for any costs incurred by the correctional facility employee or private prison security officer, including costs incurred for medical expenses or cleaning uniforms.
C. The state department of corrections shall adopt rules for the payment of costs pursuant to subsection B. Monies in the prisoner’s trust fund or retention account established by the correctional facility in which the prisoner is incarcerated may be used to pay the costs pursuant to subsection B.
D. A prisoner who violates this section is guilty of a class 6 felony and the sentence imposed for a violation of this section shall run consecutively to any sentence of imprisonment for which the prisoner was confined or to any term of community supervision, probation, parole, work furlough or other release from confinement.
E. For the purposes of this section, “bodily fluids” means saliva, blood, seminal fluid, urine or feces.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1212, Arizona Legislative Council revision of 09/19/25. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.
Related Statutes in Chapter 12 — Assault And Related Offenses
- A.R.S. § 13-1211 — Discharging a firearm at a structure
- A.R.S. § 13-1213 — Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft
- A.R.S. § 13-1214 — Unlawful mutilation
- A.R.S. § 13-1209 — Drive by shooting
- A.R.S. § 13-1215 — Hazing
- A.R.S. § 13-1208 — Assault
- A.R.S. § 13-1216 — Hazing planning or organizing
- A.R.S. § 13-1207 — Prisoners who commit assault with intent to incite to riot or participate in riot
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-1212 Cases
A § 13-1212 case is decided by the paragraph the State charged, not by the statute as a whole. We start with the charging document and the disclosure, identify which subsection the prosecutor has to prove, and test whether the evidence actually reaches every element of it. Where the class turns on a fact such as value, an alleged injury, a prior conviction or the identity of the person involved, that fact is frequently the difference between a class 6 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle prisoner assault with bodily fluids cases across Maricopa County and statewide, from our Scottsdale and Phoenix offices. Call 623-321-4699 any time, or read the statute in full above before you speak to anyone about the case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-1212?
A.R.S. § 13-1212 is the Arizona statute on prisoner assault with bodily fluids. A violation is a class 6 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-1212 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 6 felony, so the exposure reaches up to 2 years in prison. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the sentence for a class 6 felony in Arizona?
For a first felony conviction that is not dangerous or repetitive, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 6 felony at 4 months to 2 years, with a presumptive term of 1 year. Dangerous, repetitive and dangerous-crimes-against-children sentencing under 13-703, 13-704 and 13-705 runs longer.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-1212?
The Arizona Legislature publishes it at azleg.gov, in the revision dated 09/19/25. The complete text is reproduced on this page, and every Arizona criminal statute is searchable on our Arizona Criminal Code index.
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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.