The Arizona Supreme Court publishes a chart that summarizes the penalties for Arizona felony convictions. While the chart is not all inclusive, it does show the sentencing ranges for most Arizona criminal convictions. The Arizona mandatory minimum sentencing scheme provides for the Court what is known as a “presumptive” term in prison. That term is what is normally presumed to be the appropriate sentence; however, that sentence can be reduced by a demonstration of mitigating circumstances, or in fact, increased by a prosecutor’s showing of certain aggravating circumstances.

The sentencing chart lists felony classes two through six. Class Two felonies carry the longest length of incarceration and Class Six felonies carry the shortest length of incarceration. It should be noted that all sentences imposed by judges within the state of Arizona must fall within the ranges displayed for the respective felony conviction for which the individuals is determined to be guilty.

Many defense attorneys may have a tendency to minimize the importance of mitigating factors and evidence in their representation; however, in many cases these very factors can be the most important and integral part of an individual’s case. Because the collection of mitigation evidence, through interviews and extensive document review, is both extremely time consuming and requires specialized knowledge and expertise, it is often times exceptionally beneficial for an individual to retain an experienced mitigation specialist to join their respective defense team.