Statute of Limitations for Class D / 4th Degree Felony in Arizona

Overview

In Arizona, the statute of limitations (SOL) sets a deadline for the state to file a criminal case for an alleged offense. For a Class D / 4th degree felony, the key question is: what “default” limitations period applies?

For your scenario, DocketMath focuses on Arizona’s general rule because no claim-type-specific sub-rule for this particular classification was identified in the jurisdiction data provided. In other words, this article explains the default SOL period under Arizona law for criminal prosecutions.

Limitation period

Default SOL for Arizona felonies (as provided)

Arizona’s general SOL period in the jurisdiction data is:

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

That means: if the alleged conduct occurred on a specific date, the state generally has two years from that date to initiate prosecution (commonly by filing charges or otherwise commencing the criminal action, depending on procedure).

How the clock is typically measured (practical framing)

While the precise start and stop points can turn on the facts and procedural posture of a case, the SOL calculation in practice usually depends on the offense date and the event that begins the prosecution.

To use DocketMath effectively, you’ll want to collect:

• Offense date (the date of the alleged conduct)
• The jurisdiction (Arizona)
• The prosecution initiation date you want to test (for example, charge filing or another relevant case milestone)

If your prosecution initiation date is:

• Within 2 years → the default SOL deadline likely has not passed.
• More than 2 years after the offense date → the default SOL deadline likely has passed unless an exception/tolling applies.

Quick time-check examples (default rule)

Assume the alleged offense date is January 15, 2024.

These examples use the default two-year approach from A.R.S. § 13-107(A) and do not assume tolling or other exceptions.

Key exceptions

Even when the “default” period is 2 years, Arizona law recognizes that limitations periods can change based on circumstances that affect the running of time.

Because your provided jurisdiction data indicates only the general/default period (and no additional claim-type-specific sub-rule was found), the most practical way to think about exceptions is to treat them as fact-dependent adjustments that can extend the time available for prosecution.

Common categories that can affect SOL calculations (conceptual)

While the exact application requires careful legal analysis, SOL exceptions often fall into categories such as:

• Tolling events (circumstances that pause or extend the deadline)
• Defendant-related factors (for example, absence from the jurisdiction or other legally recognized conditions)
• Procedural timing (how the state “commences” an action under the relevant rules)
• Special statutory triggers (specific statutes that override the general rule for certain situations)

Practical checklist for spotting exception risk

Use this checklist to decide whether you should run the calculator once and then re-check with additional case facts:

If you can’t answer these questions confidently, DocketMath still helps you understand the baseline 2-year rule, but you may need to investigate further case details before concluding that the default SOL is or isn’t satisfied.

Statute citation

Arizona’s general statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions is:

• A.R.S. § 13-107(A) — provides the general SOL period of 2 years (per the jurisdiction data used here)

For reference, the jurisdiction data source is included here for context:

• https://www.findlaw.com/state/arizona-law/arizona-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html?utm_source=openai

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s Statute of Limitations Calculator is designed to operationalize the timeline so you can see whether the prosecution date falls within the applicable period.

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

What to input (Arizona / default rule)

Use these inputs:

• Jurisdiction: Arizona (US-AZ)
• Offense date: the date of the alleged conduct
• Prosecution date: the date you want the SOL deadline tested against (commonly the charge filing date, or another case initiation milestone you have)

How outputs change based on inputs

The output will shift based on two variables:

1. Offense date

   • Move the offense date forward → the 2-year deadline moves forward.
   • Move it backward → the deadline moves backward.
2. Prosecution date

   • Earlier prosecution dates are more likely to be within the 2-year period.
   • Later prosecution dates may exceed the deadline, triggering a default time-bar result (unless exceptions apply).

Interpreting the result responsibly

Once DocketMath calculates the default two-year deadline under A.R.S. § 13-107(A), treat the result as the baseline:

• If within 2 years: the default rule does not automatically bar prosecution.
• If beyond 2 years: the default rule suggests a time-bar unless an exception or tolling concept applies.

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