Felony murder rule (Arizona)
For the felony murder rule in all U.S. jurisdictions, see felony murder rule.
Arizona abolished all common law criminal concepts and replaced them with criminal statutes.[1] The felony murder rule survives in Arizona by current statutory law. The felony murder rule holds that a killing of a person occurring in the course of, or in the immediate flight from, the commission of the following crimes is considered murder in the first degree:[2]
- Sexual Conduct with a minor
- Sexual Assault
- Molestation of a child
- Terrorism
- Marijuana offenses
- Dangerous drug offenses
- Narcotics offenses
- The use of minors in drug offenses
- Drive by shooting
- Kidnapping
- Burglary
- Arson
- Robbery
- Escape
- Child abuse
- Unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle
A person convicted of murder in the first degree faces possible sentences of life imprisonment or, when aggravating factors exist, the death penalty.[3]