Statute of Limitations for Class A / 1st Degree Felony in Arizona

Overview

Arizona’s statute of limitations (SOL) for criminal cases sets a deadline for the state to file charges or take specified steps to start prosecution. If the deadline expires, the case can be barred even if the underlying conduct was serious.

For the Class A / 1st Degree felony category, Arizona’s general SOL rule is the starting point. DocketMath applies the default, general period because no claim-type-specific sub-rule for Class A/1st Degree was found in the provided jurisdiction data. That means this page explains the general rule in A.R.S. § 13-107(A) and the most common way the SOL analysis changes depending on case events (like whether prosecution was timely initiated and whether tolling applies).

Limitation period

The default (general) SOL period in Arizona

Arizona provides a 2-year general statute of limitations for many criminal offenses under the general rule:

• General SOL period: 2 years
• General statute: **A.R.S. § 13-107(A)

Because this page is using the default period (no additional Class A/1st Degree sub-rule provided), the basic timeline under the general rule is:

1. Identify the date the offense occurred.
2. Count forward 2 years from that date.
3. Determine whether the state initiated prosecution within that 2-year window (or whether a tolling exception legally extends the deadline).

How DocketMath’s calculator changes the result

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator is designed to help you turn dates into a deadline and then test scenarios.

When you use the tool, your inputs typically determine:

• Offense date → shifts the base deadline forward/backward.
• What counts as “initiating prosecution” (depending on how the calculator is configured) → can determine whether the state’s action is timely.
• Any date you enter for charging/filing steps → helps compare that action date to the computed SOL deadline.

A practical workflow:

• Use the offense date as your anchor.
• Enter a case action date (like when charges were filed, if you have it).
• Compare whether the action date falls before or after the computed SOL cutoff.

Quick timing examples (default rule only)

Assume the SOL is the general 2-year period under A.R.S. § 13-107(A):

These examples show the mechanics of the clock. Real cases can still involve statutory tolling or other legal timing rules, which is why the next section matters.

Key exceptions

Arizona’s SOL framework is not just a single number. Even when the general period is 2 years, the SOL analysis can change due to specific statutory exceptions, procedural developments, or tolling concepts.

Since the provided jurisdiction data explicitly confirms only the general/default period and notes that no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found, the most reliable “exception” guidance here is about what to look for in the record:

1) Tolling or suspension periods

Many SOL systems include circumstances where the running clock is paused or suspended. In Arizona practice, you’ll typically see this discussed in relation to:

• events that legally delay the ability to prosecute,
• defendant-related factors addressed by statute, or
• other statutory mechanisms that affect time computation.

If the case involves delays tied to legally recognized reasons, the effective deadline may be later than the base “offense date + 2 years.”

2) When prosecution is considered “initiated”

A common issue in SOL disputes is the difference between:

• the date the offense occurred, and
• the date the state took the legally relevant prosecutorial step.

Depending on the statute’s mechanics and the case posture, the state may argue that the relevant step occurred within the SOL window even if later paperwork appears after the 2-year mark.

3) Multiple events or amended charges

If there are multiple alleged criminal events, or if charges were amended after an initial filing, SOL questions can arise about:

• which conduct is covered by the timely charging step, and
• whether amended counts relate back to an earlier timely action.

Even though this page is focused on the general 2-year default, complex case timelines are where exceptions often become decisive.

Statute citation

Arizona’s general criminal statute of limitations is codified at:

• A.R.S. § 13-107(A) — General SOL Period: 2 years

This page uses that general/default rule for the Class A / 1st Degree felony category based on the provided jurisdiction data and confirmation that no additional claim-type-specific sub-rule was found.

Use the calculator

You can compute the SOL deadline and test whether a prosecution-related action falls within the limitations window using DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool:

• Primary CTA: /tools/statute-of-limitations

If you want to validate your working timeline, here’s what to do:

• Step 1: Enter the offense date (the anchor date).
• Step 2: Enter the relevant action date you want to test (commonly a charging or filing-related date).
• Step 3: Review the computed SOL cutoff based on the 2-year general rule under A.R.S. § 13-107(A).
• Step 4: Compare dates

  • If the action date is on or before the cutoff, it aligns with the default SOL timeline.
  • If the action date is after the cutoff, it likely falls outside the default period—subject to any statutory exception/tolling arguments.

To see how DocketMath handles statute-of-limitations workflows, you can also review:

• /tools/statute-of-limitations (calculator)

Sources and references

Start with the primary authority for Arizona and confirm the effective date before relying on any output. If the rule has been amended, update the inputs and rerun the calculation.

• A.R.S. § 12-541

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — Tool comparison
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — How-to guide
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — Tool comparison