Posted on July 9, 2026 in Criminal Defense

The Consequences of an Arizona Class 6 Felony Conviction

Being charged with a felony in Arizona is a serious matter under any circumstances, including when the charge technically falls into the lowest category. A Class 6 felony sits at the bottom of Arizona’s felony scale but can still lead to jail time and substantial fines, not to mention the potential collateral consequences that may impact your freedom for the foreseeable future. 

Since Class 6 felonies cover a wide range of offenses, many people are surprised to learn they are facing felony-level charges. If you are dealing with a charge like this, learning about what is at stake can help you make better decisions about how to move forward.

Sentencing for a Class 6 Felony in Arizona

The prison sentence for a Class 6 felony depends heavily on your criminal history. For a first-time, non-dangerous offense, the presumptive sentence is one year in prison. That number can be reduced to as little as four months if mitigating factors are present or increased to two years if there are aggravating factors.

If you have prior felony convictions, the range goes up. One prior felony raises the potential sentence to between nine months and 2.75 years. Two or more prior felonies push it even higher, from 2.25 years up to 5.75 years.

Dangerous offenses carry stiffer penalties. For instance, if the charge involved a deadly weapon, prison time is mandatory, and probation is off the table. A first-time dangerous class 6 felony carries a sentence of 1.5 to 3 years in prison. In addition to any prison sentence, fines for a class 6 felony can reach up to $150,000.

Long-Term Consequences Beyond Prison and Fines

The penalties you face in court are only part of the picture; a felony conviction in Arizona creates problems that follow you long after your sentence is complete and any fines are paid. 

Some of these collateral consequences that can result include:

• Loss of civil rights: A felony conviction strips away your right to vote and your right to possess a firearm. 
• Employment challenges: Many employers run background checks, and a felony on your record can shut doors before you ever get to an interview.
• Housing difficulties: Landlords frequently screen for criminal history, making it harder to find a place to live.
• Immigration consequences: For non-citizens, a felony conviction can trigger deportation proceedings or block future immigration applications.

These collateral effects are often what make a felony conviction so damaging in the long run. Even after you have served your time and paid your fines, the record itself continues to create obstacles.

Can a Class 6 Felony Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor?

This is one area where Class 6 felonies stand apart from every other felony class in Arizona. Under certain conditions, a Class 6 felony can be treated as a Class 1 misdemeanor instead. This is why some people refer to these charges as “wobblers.” 

There are a few ways this can happen.

• Prosecutorial discretion: The prosecutor may file the charge as a misdemeanor from the start, often as part of a plea agreement.
• Judicial designation: The judge can reclassify the offense at sentencing if the crime was non-dangerous and a felony conviction would be too harsh.
• Undesignated felony: The court leaves the charge open while the defendant serves probation. If probation is successfully completed, the defendant can petition to have the offense designated as a misdemeanor.

These options can make a meaningful impact on your future freedom if applicable in your case. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney at Orent Law Offices About Your Case

A class 6 felony charge may be the lowest level felony in Arizona, but the consequences are far from small. When you factor in the potential prison time and a criminal record that follows you for years, there is a lot on the line.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Phoenix criminal defense attorney at Orent Law Offices, PLC today to learn about your best plan of action going forward. It may still be possible to reach an outcome that lets you walk free.

Orent Law Offices, PLC
11811 N Tatum Blvd Unit 3031-15B, Phoenix, AZ 85028
(480) 656-7301
Available 24/7