ARS 13-1213: Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-1213 on aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 2 through 6 felony or a class 1 misdemeanor and exposure reaching up to 12.5 years in prison.
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Penalties for a § 13-1213 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-1213 is the Arizona statute on aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer. A violation is a class 2 through 6 felony or a class 1 misdemeanor, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 12.5 years in prison.
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 2 felony | 3 years | 4 years | 5 years | 10 years | 12.5 years |
| Class 3 felony | 2 years | 2.5 years | 3.5 years | 7 years | 8.75 years |
| Class 5 felony | 6 months | 9 months | 1.5 years | 2 years | 2.5 years |
| Class 6 felony | 4 months | 6 months | 1 year | 1.5 years | 2 years |
| Class | Maximum jail | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 misdemeanor | 6 months | $2,500 |
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. § 13-1213
A. A person commits aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer at another person and the person knows or reasonably should know that the other person is a peace officer.
B. A person commits aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer at an aircraft and the person knows or reasonably should know that the aircraft is occupied.
C. Intentionally or knowingly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer is a class 5 felony. Recklessly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer is a class 1 misdemeanor.
D. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 2 felony if the act causes the pilot to crash the aircraft or perform an emergency landing. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 3 felony if the act renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft. Intentionally or knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 6 felony. Recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft is a class 1 misdemeanor.
E. For the purposes of this section:
1. “Aircraft” means any vehicle that is used for flight in the air by buoyancy or by the dynamic action of air on the vehicle’s surfaces, including airplanes, gliders and helicopters.
2. “Laser pointer” means any device that emits an intense beam of light amplified by stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1213, 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. § 13-1212 — Prisoner assault with bodily fluids
- A.R.S. § 13-1214 — Unlawful mutilation
- A.R.S. § 13-1211 — Discharging a firearm at a structure
- A.R.S. § 13-1215 — Hazing
- A.R.S. § 13-1216 — Hazing planning or organizing
- A.R.S. § 13-1209 — Drive by shooting
- A.R.S. § 13-1208 — Assault
- A.R.S. § 13-1207 — Prisoners who commit assault with intent to incite to riot or participate in riot
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-1213 Cases
A § 13-1213 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 2 through 6 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer 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. § 13-1213?
A.R.S. § 13-1213 is the Arizona statute on aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer. A violation is a class 2 through 6 felony or a class 1 misdemeanor, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-1213 a felony in Arizona?
It can be. Under the statute a violation is a class 2 through 6 felony or a class 1 misdemeanor, so the exposure reaches up to 12.5 years in prison. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the sentence for a class 2 felony in Arizona?
For a first felony conviction that is not dangerous or repetitive, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 2 felony at 3 years to 12.5 years, with a presumptive term of 5 years. Dangerous, repetitive and dangerous-crimes-against-children sentencing under 13-703, 13-704 and 13-705 runs longer.
What is the maximum penalty for a class 1 misdemeanor?
A.R.S. 13-707 caps jail at 6 months for a class 1 misdemeanor and A.R.S. 13-802 caps the fine at $2,500, before surcharges. A judge may also impose probation and other conditions.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-1213?
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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