ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
Increases
terms of imprisonment by 5 years for various crimes when the offense involves
taking or attempting to take a firearm from a peace officer.
According
to FBI statistics, 58 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed by
firearms in 1998, with 6 of these officers being shot with their own
weapons. Although more recent numbers
are not available, these figures have remained about the same since 1995. To help prevent officers from becoming
disarmed, improvements have been made to both holsters and officer training. However, the Arizona Professional Police
Officer’s Association (APA) indicates that additional penalties are also needed
against individuals who disarm or attempt to disarm an officer.
S.B.
1348 increases specified felony and misdemeanor imprisonment sentences by 5
years when the offense involves disarming or attempting to disarm a peace
officer. According to the APA, the
increased sentences are appropriate since the individuals impacted are
considered more dangerous than other offenders; however, the increased penalty
is not expected to reduce the number of attempts to disarm officers.
Based
on average costs for 1999, the Department of Corrections estimates that it
could cost an additional $96,725 to incarcerate each individual who receives an
increased sentence.
1. Increases terms of imprisonment by five years for specified felony and misdemeanor convictions if the offense involved taking or attempting to take a firearm from a peace officer. The increase is generally in addition to any other enhanced sentence that may apply.
2. Increases from five to ten the number of years a presumptive sentence may be increased or decreased for an individual convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the second degree.
3. Updates language relating to disabled persons and prison inmates.
4. Contains technical and conforming changes.
5. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 2, 2001