PREFILED    DEC 20 2021

REFERENCE TITLE: drug offenses; homicide; sentencing

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

 

 

 

HB 2021

 

Introduced by

Representatives Nguyen: Biasiucci, Bowers

 

 

AN ACT

 

Amending sections 13-705 and 13-706, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 13, chapter 11, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 13-1106; relating to drug offenses.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 13-705, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE13-705. Dangerous crimes against children; sentences; definitions

A. A person who is at least eighteen years of age and who is convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the first degree involving DRUG TRAFFICKING HOMICIDE, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor or child sex trafficking and the person has previously been convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the first degree shall be sentenced to imprisonment in the custody of the state department of corrections for natural life.  A person who is sentenced to natural life is not eligible for commutation, parole, work furlough, work release or release from confinement on any basis for the remainder of the person's natural life.

B. A person who is at least eighteen years of age and who is convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the first degree involving drug trafficking homicide, sexual assault of a minor who is twelve years of age or younger or sexual conduct with a minor who is twelve years of age or younger shall be sentenced to life imprisonment and 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 person has served thirty-five years or the sentence is commuted.  This subsection does not apply to masturbatory contact.

C. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who is at least eighteen years of age or who has been tried as an adult and who is convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the first degree involving attempted first degree murder of a minor who is under twelve years of age, second degree murder of a minor who is under twelve years of age, sexual assault of a minor who is under twelve years of age, sexual conduct with a minor who is under twelve years of age or manufacturing methamphetamine under circumstances that cause physical injury to a minor who is under twelve years of age may be sentenced to life imprisonment and 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 person has served thirty-five years or the sentence is commuted.  If a life sentence is not imposed pursuant to this subsection, the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment as follows:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

13 years                20 years                27 years

D. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who is at least eighteen years of age or who has been tried as an adult and who is convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the first degree involving attempted first degree murder of a minor who is twelve, thirteen or fourteen years of age, second degree murder of a minor who is twelve, thirteen or fourteen years of age, sexual assault of a minor who is twelve, thirteen or fourteen years of age, taking a child for the purpose of prostitution, child sex trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual conduct with a minor who is twelve, thirteen or fourteen years of age, continuous sexual abuse of a child or manufacturing methamphetamine under circumstances that cause physical injury to a minor who is twelve, thirteen or fourteen years of age or involving or using minors in drug offenses shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment as follows:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

13 years                20 years                27 years

A person who has been previously convicted of one predicate felony shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment as follows:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

23 years                30 years                37 years

E. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person who is at least eighteen years of age or who has been tried as an adult and who is convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the first degree involving aggravated assault, unlawful mutilation, molestation of a child, sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated luring a minor for sexual exploitation, child abuse or kidnapping shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment as follows:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

10 years                17 years                24 years

A person who has been previously convicted of one predicate felony shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment as follows:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

21 years                28 years                35 years

F. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a person is at least eighteen years of age or has been tried as an adult and is convicted of a dangerous crime against children involving luring a minor for sexual exploitation, sexual extortion or unlawful age misrepresentation and is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the term of imprisonment is as follows and the person is not eligible for release from confinement on any basis except as specifically authorized by section 31-233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

5 years                 10 years                15 years

A person who has been previously convicted of one predicate felony shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment as follows and the 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 by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

8 years                 15 years                22 years

G. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a person is at least eighteen years of age or has been tried as an adult and is convicted of a dangerous crime against children involving sexual abuse or bestiality under section 13-1411, subsection A, paragraph 2 and is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the term of imprisonment is as follows and the person is not eligible for release from confinement on any basis except as specifically authorized by section 31-233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

2.5 years               5 years                 7.5 years

A person who has been previously convicted of one predicate felony shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment as follows and the 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 by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

8 years                 15 years                22 years

H. The presumptive sentences prescribed in subsections C, D and E of this section or subsections F and G of this section if the person has previously been convicted of a predicate felony may be increased or decreased pursuant to section 13-701, subsections C, D and E.

I. Except as provided in subsection G of this section, a person who is sentenced for a dangerous crime against children in the first degree pursuant to this section 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 by the court has been served or commuted.

J. A person who is convicted of any dangerous crime against children in the first degree pursuant to subsection C, D or E of this section and who has been previously convicted of two or more predicate felonies shall be sentenced to life imprisonment and 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 person has served not fewer than thirty-five years or the sentence is commuted.

K. Notwithstanding chapter 10 of this title, a person who is at least eighteen years of age or who has been tried as an adult and who is convicted of a dangerous crime against children in the second degree pursuant to subsection B, C, D or E of this section is guilty of a class 3 felony and if the person is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the term of imprisonment is as follows and the person is not eligible for release from confinement on any basis except as specifically authorized by section 31-233, subsection A or B until the person has served the sentence imposed by the court, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted:

Minimum                 Presumptive             Maximum

5 years                 10 years                15 years

L. A person who is convicted of any dangerous crime against children in the second degree and who has been previously convicted of one or more predicate felonies 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 by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted.

M. Section 13-704, subsection J and section 13-707, subsection B apply to the determination of prior convictions.

N. The sentence imposed on a person by the court for a dangerous crime against children under subsection G of this section involving sexual abuse may be served concurrently with other sentences if the offense involved only one victim. The sentence imposed on a person for any other dangerous crime against children in the first or second degree shall be consecutive to any other sentence imposed on the person at any time, including sexual abuse of the same victim.

O. In this section, for purposes of punishment an unborn child shall be treated like a minor who is under twelve years of age.

P. A dangerous crime against children is in the first degree if it is a completed offense and is in the second degree if it is a preparatory offense, except attempted first degree murder is a dangerous crime against children in the first degree.

Q. It is not a defense to a dangerous crime against children that the minor is a person posing as a minor or is otherwise fictitious if the defendant knew or had reason to know the purported minor was under fifteen years of age.

R. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Dangerous crime against children" means any of the following that is committed against a minor who is under fifteen years of age:

(a) Second degree murder.

(b) Aggravated assault resulting in serious physical injury or involving the discharge, use or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

(c) Sexual assault.

(d) Molestation of a child.

(e) Sexual conduct with a minor.

(f) Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor.

(g) Sexual exploitation of a minor.

(h) Child abuse as prescribed in section 13-3623, subsection A, paragraph 1.

(i) Kidnapping.

(j) Sexual abuse.

(k) Taking a child for the purpose of prostitution as prescribed in section 13-3206.

(l) Child sex trafficking as prescribed in section 13-3212.

(m) Involving or using minors in drug offenses.

(n) Continuous sexual abuse of a child.

(o) Attempted first degree murder.

(p) Sex trafficking.

(q) Manufacturing methamphetamine under circumstances that cause physical injury to a minor.

(r) Bestiality as prescribed in section 13-1411, subsection A, paragraph 2.

(s) Luring a minor for sexual exploitation.

(t) Aggravated luring a minor for sexual exploitation.

(u) Unlawful age misrepresentation.

(v) Unlawful mutilation.

(w) Sexual extortion as prescribed in section 13-1428.

(x) Drug trafficking homicide.

2. "Predicate felony" means any felony involving child abuse pursuant to section 13-3623, subsection A, paragraph 1, a sexual offense, conduct involving the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury or the discharge, use or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or a dangerous crime against children in the first or second degree.END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 13-706, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE13-706. Serious, violent or aggravated offenders; sentencing; life imprisonment; definitions

A. A person who is at least eighteen years of age or who has been tried as an adult and who is convicted of a serious offense except a drug offense, first degree murder or any dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705, whether a completed or preparatory offense, and who has previously been convicted of two or more serious offenses not committed on the same occasion shall be sentenced to life imprisonment and 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 person has served at least twenty-five years or the sentence is commuted.

B. Unless a longer term of imprisonment or death is the prescribed penalty and notwithstanding any provision that establishes a shorter term of imprisonment, a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting or conspiring to commit any violent or aggravated felony and who has previously been convicted on separate occasions of two or more violent or aggravated felonies not committed on the same occasion shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life and is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release on any basis except that the person may be eligible for commutation after the person has served at least thirty-five years.

C. In order for the penalty under subsection B of this section to apply, both of the following must occur:

1. The aggravated or violent felonies that comprise the prior convictions shall have been entered within fifteen years of the conviction for the third offense, not including time spent in custody or on probation for an offense or while the person is an absconder.

2. The sentence for the first aggravated or violent felony conviction shall have been imposed before the conduct occurred that gave rise to the second conviction, and the sentence for the second aggravated or violent felony conviction shall have been imposed before the conduct occurred that gave rise to the third conviction.

D. Chapter 3 of this title applies to all offenses under this section.

E. For the purposes of this section, if a person has been convicted of an offense committed in another jurisdiction that if committed in this state would be a violation or attempted violation of any of the offenses listed in this section and that has the same elements of an offense listed in this section, the offense committed in another jurisdiction is considered an offense committed in this state.

F. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Serious offense" means any of the following offenses if committed in this state or any offense committed outside this state that if committed in this state would constitute one of the following offenses:

(a) First degree murder.

(b) Second degree murder.

(c) Manslaughter.

(d) Aggravated assault resulting in serious physical injury or involving the discharge, use or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

(e) Sexual assault.

(f) Any dangerous crime against children.

(g) Arson of an occupied structure.

(h) Armed robbery.

(i) Burglary in the first degree.

(j) Kidnapping.

(k) Sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen years of age.

(l) Child sex trafficking.

(m) Drug trafficking homicide.

2. "Violent or aggravated felony" means any of the following offenses:

(a) First degree murder.

(b) Second degree murder.

(c) Aggravated assault resulting in serious physical injury or involving the discharge, use or threatening exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

(d) Dangerous or deadly assault by prisoner.

(e) Committing assault with intent to incite to riot or participate in riot.

(f) Drive by shooting.

(g) Discharging a firearm at a residential structure if the structure is occupied.

(h) Kidnapping.

(i) Sexual conduct with a minor that is a class 2 felony.

(j) Sexual assault.

(k) Molestation of a child.

(l) Continuous sexual abuse of a child.

(m) Violent sexual assault.

(n) Burglary in the first degree committed in a residential structure if the structure is occupied.

(o) Arson of an occupied structure.

(p) Arson of an occupied jail or prison facility.

(q) Armed robbery.

(r) Participating in or assisting a criminal syndicate or leading or participating in a criminal street gang.

(s) Terrorism.

(t) Taking a child for the purpose of prostitution.

(u) Child sex trafficking.

(v) Commercial sexual exploitation of a minor.

(w) Sexual exploitation of a minor.

(x) Unlawful introduction of disease or parasite as prescribed by section 13-2912, subsection A, paragraph 2 or 3.

(y) Drug trafficking homicide. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Title 13, chapter 11, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 13-1106, to read:

START_STATUTE13-1106. Drug trafficking homicide; classification

A. A person commits drug trafficking homicide if both of the following apply:

1. the person transfers a dangerous drug in violation of section 13-3407 or a narcotic drug in violation of section 13-3408 and injecting, inhaling, absorbing or ingesting the dangerous drug or narcotic drug causes another person's death.

2. Transferring the dangerous drug or narcotic drug to the other person was a contributing cause of the other person's death and the death did not result from a cause that is not connected to the defendant. For the purposes of this paragraph, the state is not required to prove that the transfer of the dangerous drug or narcotic drug was the sole and IMMEDIATE cause of the other person's death.

B. For the purposes of this section, it is a rebuttable presumption that the dangerous drug or narcotic drug that the person transferred to the victim was the same dangerous drug or narcotic drug that caused the victim's death if the state proves both of the following beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. The person transferred a dangerous drug or narcotic drug to the victim within twenty-four hours before the victim injected, inhaled, absorbed or ingested the dangerous drug or narcotic drug.

2. The victim's death was caused by the same type of dangerous drug or narcotic drug that the person transferred as prescribed in paragraph 1 of this subsection.

C. Drug trafficking homicide is a class 1 felony and is punishable as follows:

Minimum                   Presumptive          Maximum

10 calendar years         16 calendar years    25 calendar years

D. Except as provided in section 13-704, a person who is convicted of drug trafficking homicide and who has previously been convicted of drug trafficking homicide or a class 2 or 3 felony involving a dangerous offense shall be sentenced as follows:

Minimum                   Presumptive          Maximum

15 calendar years         20 calendar years    29 calendar years

E. The presumptive term imposed pursuant to subsections C and D of this section may be mitigated or aggravated pursuant to section 13-701, subsections D and E.

F.  Notwithstanding subsection C or D of this section, if the victim is under fifteen years of age, drug trafficking homicide is punishable pursuant to section 13-705. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Short title

This act may be cited as the "Ashley Dunn Act".