Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
Scottsdale Criminal Defense and Criminal Rights
“The retention of an experienced Scottsdale criminal attorney will substantially increase your chance of getting the best possible outcome in your case. Early retention of a good Scottsdale criminal lawyer, to defend you through the Arizona criminal justice system for Unlawful Discharge of Firearm Charges, is one of the keys to enable your criminal defense attorney to mounting an effective defense on your behalf” .
Unlawful Discharge of Firearm Charges Scottsdale AZ
Sentencing for Unlawful Discharge of Firearm Charges convictions in Scottsdale, AZ, if convicted, are harsh. If you have been charged or arrested for discharging a firearm unlawfully within any city limits in Arizona then you should consult with an Arizona criminal attorney who has the experience in defending these types of criminal charges. Arizona aggressively prosecutes most all weapons charges and penalties are especially severe for firing a gun unlawfully.
The Scottsdale police are well known for their ability to find and arrest those who discharge a firearm within city limits. Some cities in Maricopa County use special equipment designed to alert them to the location from which a shot was fired. Random discharge of firearms occurs often during holidays, or other celebrations. The laws surrounding this charge can be found in A.R.S. 13 -3107. This law is often referred to as “Shannon’s Law” named after an Arizona girl who was shot and killed in 1999 by a randomly fired gun.
Arizona Laws: Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
If you were arrested or charged with Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm in Scottsdale AZ your charges will be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona. The laws surrounding this charge can be found in A.R.S. 13 -3107:
A.R.S. 13-3107. Unlawful discharge of firearms is simply the firing of a weapon in city limits without justification. It is also illegal to fire your weapon during a holiday such as New Years Eve celebration. This if an Arizona felony criminal charge. A.R.S. 13-3107
Reads in part as follows:
“A. A person who with criminal negligence discharges a firearm within or into the limits of any municipality is guilty of a class 6 felony.
B. Notwithstanding the fact that the offense involves the discharge of a deadly weapon, unless a dangerous offense is alleged and proven pursuant to section 13-704, subsection L, section 13-604 applies to this offense.
C. This section does not apply if the firearm is discharged:
1. As allowed pursuant to chapter 4 of this title.
2. On a properly supervised range.
3. In an area recommended as a hunting area by the Arizona game and fish department, approved and posted as required by the chief of police, but any such area may be closed when deemed unsafe by the chief of police or the director of the Arizona game and fish department.
4. For the control of nuisance wildlife by permit from the Arizona game and fish department or the United States fish and wildlife service.
5. By special permit of the chief of police of the municipality.
6. As required by an animal control officer in the performance of duties as specified in section 9-499.04.
7. Using blanks.
8. More than one mile from any occupied structure as defined in section 13-3101.
9. In self-defense or defense of another person against an animal attack if a reasonable person would believe that deadly physical force against the animal is immediately necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to protect oneself or the other person.
D. For the purposes of this section:
1. “Municipality” means any city or town and includes any property that is fully enclosed within the city or town.
2. “Properly supervised range” means a range that is any of the following:
(a) Operated by a club affiliated with the national rifle association of America, the amateur trapshooting association, the national skeet association or any other nationally recognized shooting organization, or by any public or private school.
(b) Approved by any agency of the federal government, this state or a county or city within which the range is located.
(c) Operated with adult supervision for shooting air or carbon dioxide gas operated guns, or for shooting in underground ranges on private or public property.”
Arizona Criminal Penalties for Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
Penalties in Scottsdale, AZ for Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm include incarceration in the Arizona Department of Corrections -prison or up-to 12 months jail. Additional criminal penalties may include but are not limited to supervised felony probation and fines and other penalties. If someone is harmed, injured, or killed due to the unlawful discharge of the sentencing is extremely severe, and include lengthy prison terms, and negatively life altering consequences.
Due to the severe punishments you potentially face if convicted of this charge, it is important that you retain an experienced criminal defense attorney who frequently defends these types of criminal charges in Scottsdale Arizona and Maricopa County.
Scottsdale Criminal Defense Lawyer for Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm Charges
You will need a strong criminal defense to help defend your Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm charges through the Criminal Justice System. A good criminal attorney will examine all the evidence, interview or depose witnesses or police, and determine what the most effective defense strategy will be needed to mount a successful defense on your behalf. The retention of an experienced Scottsdale criminal attorney will substantially increase your chance of getting you the best possible outcome in your case. Early retention of a good Scottsdale criminal lawyer, to defend you through the Arizona criminal justice system for Unlawful Discharge of Firearm Charges is one of the keys to enable your criminal defense attorney to mounting an effective defense on your behalf.