ARS 13-4504: Dismissal of misdemeanor charges
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-4504 on dismissal of misdemeanor charges, and how this section is used in Arizona criminal cases. It defines terms and procedure rather than creating an offense.
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Full Text of A.R.S. § 13-4504
A.R.S. § 13-4504 is the Arizona statute on dismissal of misdemeanor charges. It sets out procedure and rules rather than defining an offense, so no offense class or sentence attaches to this section on its own.
A. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, if the court finds that a person has been previously adjudicated incompetent to stand trial pursuant to this chapter, the court may hold a hearing to dismiss any misdemeanor charge against the incompetent person. The court shall give ten days’ notice to the prosecutor and the defendant of this hearing. On receipt of the notice, the prosecutor shall notify the victim of the hearing.
B. If a misdemeanor charge is dismissed pursuant to this section, the court may order the prosecutor to initiate civil commitment or guardianship proceedings.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-4504, 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.
How § 13-4504 Affects an Arizona Case
§ 13-4504 usually matters because of how it interacts with the charge someone is actually facing. We read it alongside the charging statute, because a definition or a procedural rule frequently decides what the State must prove, what a judge may impose, or what relief is available afterward.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-4504?
A.R.S. § 13-4504 is the Arizona statute on dismissal of misdemeanor charges. It sets out rules that apply across Arizona criminal cases rather than defining a single offense.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-4504?
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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