Domestic Violence

questions & answers

Question: I beat up an 18 year old and I'm 15, she's pressing charges what will happen to me?

Answer: First, Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) sets out when a juvenile can be charged as an adult. According to ARS 13-501, the County Attorney SHALL charge a juvenile 15, 16, or 17 years of age as an adult if he/she has committed one of the following crimes; 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, sexual assault, armed robbery, any other violent felony, any felony committed by a chronic felony offender, or any offense that is related to one of the offenses listed.   http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/13/00501.htm&Title=13&DocType=ARS

Now lets look at what you would likely be charged with...Assault ARS 13-1203. Assault; classification  A. A person commits assault by:  1. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person; or  2. Intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury; or  3. Knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure, insult or provoke such person.  http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/13/01203.htm&Title=13&DocType=ARS  Assault ranges from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 3 misdemeanor.   Therefore, you case would most likely be handled by a Juvenile Court.   This is based on the assumption the prosecutor decides to take the case.   Juvenile courts try to rehabilitate rather than punish.