Assault is committed when a person knowingly or recklessly causes physical injury to another person. It can also occur if a person intentionally places someone in reasonable fear of imminent injury, or touches them in a way meant to hurt, insult, or provoke them.. (A.R.S. § 13-1203)

Simple assault is generally a misdemeanor, with different classes depending on the conduct involved. Aggravated assault is a felony, and the seriousness of the charge can depend on factors such as the use of a weapon, the extent of injuries, the age or status of the victim, and whether multiple people were involved in the assault. It is important to understand that fighting can be illegal, and if you are involved in a fight, you could also be charged with disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace.

Note: Arizona’s “Preston’s Law,” passed in 2025, created tougher penalties for certain group assaults. Under this law, assaults involving multiple attackers that cause injury can be charged as aggravated assault, a Class 4 felony.

On October 28, 2023, a violent assault took place in Arizona, involving members of the Gilbert Goons gang who have faced felony assault charges. The parents of one member accused of orchestrating the attack deny responsibility for their son’s actions, sparking a debate over parental liability under Arizona law.

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Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated. The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here.