Definition of Sexual Conduct with a Minor in Arizona

Under Arizona Law, Sexual Conduct with a Minor is defined as: a person that intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under eighteen years of age. Depending on the age of the child and circumstances, a person can be charged with either a class 2 felony or a class 6 felony.

- Sexual conduct with a minor who is under fifteen years of age is a class 2 felony
- Sexual conduct with a minor who is at least fifteen years of age is a class 6 felony
- If the offender is the minor’s parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, legal guardian or foster parent, the sexual conduct is a class 2 felony

There are different punishments for sexual conduct with a minor, depending on what type of conviction it is. But the punishments range from probation to life in prison.

The State’s definition word-for-word of Sexual Conduct with a Minor is found under 13-1405 and reads:

13-1405. Sexual conduct with a minor; classification; definition

A. A person commits sexual conduct with a minor by intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under eighteen years of age.

B. Sexual conduct with a minor who is under fifteen years of age is a class 2 felony and is punishable pursuant to section 13-705. Sexual conduct with a minor who is at least fifteen years of age is a class 6 felony. Sexual conduct with a minor who is at least fifteen years of age is a class 2 felony if the person is or was the minor’s parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, legal guardian or foster parent or the minor’s teacher or clergyman or priest and the convicted person is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis except as specifically authorized by section 31-233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed has been served or commuted.

C. For the purposes of this section, “teacher” means a certificated teacher as defined in section 15-501 or any other person who provides instruction to pupils in any school district, charter school or accommodation school, the Arizona state schools for the deaf and the blind or a private school in this state.