ARS 13-3824: Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-3824 on failure to register as a sex offender, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 4 through 6 felony and exposure reaching up to 3.75 years in prison.
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Penalties for a § 13-3824 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-3824 is the Arizona statute on failure to register as a sex offender. A violation is a class 4 through 6 felony, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 3.75 years in prison.
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 4 felony | 1 year | 1.5 years | 2.5 years | 3 years | 3.75 years |
| 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. § 13-3824
A. A person who is subject to registration under this article and who fails to comply with the requirements of this article is guilty of a class 4 felony.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, a person who fails to comply with section 13-3821, subsection J is guilty of a class 6 felony and, in addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, the court shall order the person to pay an additional assessment of two hundred fifty dollars. This assessment is not subject to any surcharge. The court shall transmit the monies received pursuant to this subsection to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall transmit the monies received to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall deposit the monies received in the state general fund. Notwithstanding any other law, the court shall not waive the assessment imposed pursuant to this subsection.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3824, 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.
- Is Not Registering as a Sex Offender a Felony in AZ? (13-3824)
- How Does the AZ Sex Offender Registry Work? Levels (13-3821)
Related Statutes in Chapter 38 — Miscellaneous
- A.R.S. § 13-3806 — Duty of physician or attendant upon treating certain wounds
- A.R.S. § 13-3864 — Payment of account of agent
- A.R.S. § 13-3885 — Arrest of principal by surety
- A.R.S. § 13-3903 — Notice to appear and complaint
- A.R.S. § 13-3924 — Unlawful procurement of search warrant without probable cause
- A.R.S. § 13-3981 — Compromise of misdemeanors and petty offenses
- A.R.S. § 13-4006 — Unlawful foreign law enforcement activity
- A.R.S. § 13-4145 — Disobedience of command of writ
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-3824 Cases
A § 13-3824 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 4 through 6 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle failure to register as a sex offender 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. § 13-3824?
A.R.S. § 13-3824 is the Arizona statute on failure to register as a sex offender. A violation is a class 4 through 6 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-3824 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 4 through 6 felony, so the exposure reaches up to 3.75 years in prison. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the sentence for a class 4 felony in Arizona?
For a first felony conviction that is not dangerous or repetitive, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 4 felony at 1 year to 3.75 years, with a presumptive term of 2.5 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 § 13-3824?
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.