Municipal Codes in Arizona
What is a Municipal Code?
In Arizona, a municipal criminal code is a city’s rules or ordinances that make certain conduct illegal within that specific city’s municipal boundaries. This city criminal code fills in the gaps of Arizona’s state laws, known as Arizona Revised Statutes, as well as federal criminal laws, known as Federal Statutes. All city criminal code must comply with these Federal Statutes, Arizona Revised Statutes, and the Constitutions of both the State of Arizona and the United States of America.
While most city codes are quite similar, each city’s ordinances vary, so it’s important to note these differences from municipality to municipality.
Municipal Code Violations
Municipal code violations include:
- Property violations (such as fence height)
- Zoning violations
- Indecency
- Breast feeding in specific scenarios
- Strip club compliance issues
- Massage parlor compliance issues
- Animal abuse issues
- Prostitution
Any violation of a city code is a misdemeanor. Most violations are charged as class 1 misdemeanors with penalties that can find you in jail for up to six months, fined up to $2500 plus surcharges, and up to three years of probation. However, any misdemeanor can carry potentially serious consequences. A violation of municipal criminal code will never be charged as a felony, which is a more serious offense than a misdemeanor.
Violations of municipal code are handled by the city’s municipal court system and the municipal prosecutor’s office.
How Rideout Law Group Can Assist You
If you have found yourself charged with a violation of municipal code, Rideout Law Group can help. Brad Rideout is a former Mesa City Prosecutor who has a thorough knowledge of city code. Additionally, Rideout Law Group has served as a contract city attorney for City of Mesa, City of Kingman, City of Parker, Lake Havasu City, and Bullhead City. Over the last decade, we have expertly handled hundreds of city code violations. We understand how these violations are best handled and the best defenses to employ when charged with a municipal code violation.
Major Municipal Codes
Click through the following links to read the municipal codes for these major Arizona cities:
RIDEOUT LAW GROUP
With offices in Lake Havasu City and Scottsdale, our firm serves the entire state of Arizona, including all municipalities, with a particular focus on criminal defense, family law, and juvenile cases.
Our goal is for the best outcome for your criminal case, which can include:
- charges that are reduced or dropped.
- top experts reviewing your case.
- aggressive negotiations with the prosecution for plea bargains.
- fines or probation in lieu of jail time.
At Rideout Law Group, our attorneys are able to expertly examine the evidence in your case to provide a strong strategy for argument that leads to an outcome that is most favorable to you. We have experience in all types of criminal cases for both adults and juveniles, with positive outcomes both in plea negotiations as well as jury trial settings.
Call us today for a free consultation at 480-584-3328.