ARS 13-1417: Continuous sexual abuse of a child
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-1417 on continuous sexual abuse of a child, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 2 felony and exposure reaching up to 12.5 years in prison.
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Penalties for a § 13-1417 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-1417 is the Arizona statute on continuous sexual abuse of a child. A violation is a class 2 felony, 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 |
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. § 13-1417
A. A person who over a period of three months or more in duration engages in three or more acts in violation of section 13-1405, 13-1406 or 13-1410 with a child who is under fourteen years of age is guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child.
B. Continuous sexual abuse of a child is a class 2 felony and is punishable pursuant to section 13-705.
C. To convict a person of continuous sexual abuse of a child, the trier of fact shall unanimously agree that the requisite number of acts occurred. The trier of fact does not need to agree on which acts constitute the requisite number.
D. Any other felony sexual offense involving the victim shall not be charged in the same proceeding with a charge under this section unless the other charged felony sexual offense occurred outside the time period charged under this section or the other felony sexual offense is charged in the alternative. A defendant may be charged with only one count under this section unless more than one victim is involved. If more than one victim is involved, a separate count may be charged for each victim.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1417, 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.
Our Guides on This Charge
Written by our defense team on how these cases run in Arizona courts.
Related Statutes in Chapter 14 — Sexual Offenses
- A.R.S. § 13-1418 — Sexual misconduct
- A.R.S. § 13-1419 — Unlawful sexual conduct
- A.R.S. § 13-1412 — Unlawful sexual conduct
- A.R.S. § 13-1422 — Adult oriented businesses
- A.R.S. § 13-1411 — Bestiality
- A.R.S. § 13-1410 — Molestation of a child
- A.R.S. § 13-1424 — Voyeurism
- A.R.S. § 13-1409 — Unlawful sexual conduct
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-1417 Cases
A § 13-1417 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 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle continuous sexual abuse of a child 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. § 13-1417?
A.R.S. § 13-1417 is the Arizona statute on continuous sexual abuse of a child. A violation is a class 2 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-1417 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 2 felony, 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.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-1417?
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.