 Some
Arizona Laws
Bicycle Theft
Bike theft is a serious and widespread crime. Hundreds of bicycles
are stolen every month in Phoenix because owners fail to use locks when
they leave bikes unattended. Police recover many stolen bikes, but only
half of them are returned to their owner because they can't positively
identify it as their bike. The problem could be lessened if people would
use the McGruff Bicycle Registration or Operation Identification. Many
thieves either sell the bikes or strip them and sell the parts. It is
also a crime to knowingly receive stolen property, whether it be the entire
bike of just the parts.
Burglary
The crime of burglary in committed when someone enters or remains unlawfully
in a house, a building, a motor vehicle, or a fenced yard.
Normally, a burglar is out to steal something. But even if you break
in just to "look around" and don't take anything, you could
still be charged with burglary. Burglary is a felony, punishable by a
prison sentence.
Curfew
Daily curfew hours for the city of Phoenix are from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
for children 15 years old and younger and midnight to 5 a.m. for 16 and
17 years old. Curfew hours apply seven days a week year round. Children
that are on legitimate business authorized by a parent or guardian, or
in the care and custody of another adult, are not in violation of the
curfew ordinance. Phoenix city ordinance code (pcc 22-3) places responsibility
on parents and guardians to supervise their juvenile children and to take
custody of them if they violate curfew.
Drugs
It is against the law to have any narcotic drug in your possession*.
It's also illegal to manufacture, sell, prescribe, dispense or compound
drugs, except as authorized by law.
Smoking marijuana is the most common example of drug abuse among juveniles.
Continued and extensive use of marijuana could lead to more serious drug
abuse problems (ARS 13-3405).
Sniffing glue, paint or other vapors is another form
of drug abuse. Sniffing can cause serious, permanent damage to vital organs.
Persons who indulge in this dangerous practice lose control and frequently
become cruel and violent. (ARS 13-3403).
Liquor is also a drug. It's against the law for anyone under the age of
21 years to buy, possess or drink any alcoholic beverage, or to falsify
age in order to buy liquor. (title 4). Alcohol related traffic accidents
are a leading cause of death among teens. Excessive use of alcohol often
leads to drunkenness, fighting, disorderly conduct, and driving while
impaired.
Firearms and Fireworks
(ARS Chapter 31)
It is unlawful to deliberately shoot a gun within Phoenix
except; (1) in self-defense when other means of protection have been exhausted;
(2) at an approved firing range; or (3) within approved hunting areas.
A weapon is considered "concealed" if it is
hidden on your person or readily accessible. For example, if you have
a gun under a newspaper on your car seat, you could be charged with carrying
a concealed weapon. Arizona Revised Statutes state that no one under 21
years of age may legally carry a concealed weapon.
BB guns and slingshots are forbidden within the city
limits except (1) at an approved practice range; (2) for target practice
in a safe location, if the back-stop is capable of stopping all projectiles;
and (3) if the BB's do not stray onto other people's property.
Fireworks are against the law, too. Police are authorized
to seize any unlawful fireworks in your possession. Public display of
fireworks is permitted only upon approval of the Fire Department.
Hitchhiking
(ARS 28-795.c)
 It
is a misdemeanor to stand on any roadway for the purpose of hitching a
ride from a car. Hitchhiking is dangerous. It is the indirect cause of
many accidents. More importantly, young people who hitchhike often become
rape and murder victims.
School Laws
According to Arizona law (ARS 15-802), every child between
the ages of six and 16 shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects
of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science. The person
who has custody of the child shall choose public, private, charter, or
home school to provide instruction.
Shoplifting
(ARS 13-1805)
Shoplifting is the willful concealment of an article
in any place of business in order to avoid paying for it. Store officials
don't have to wait for police to show up. They can detain shoplifters
pending the arrival of the police.
Shoplifters are normally charged with the crime of theft,
or in some cases, burglary may apply.
Telephone Violations
Obscene or profane language over the telephone is prohibited
by law. This includes "crank" or joke calls. They aren't funny
and can often annoy the person being called. Unlike the movies, you don't
have to be on the line for a certain amount of time for the police to
"trace" the call, the phone company keeps records on all calls
and may provide that information to the police where appropriate.
Criminal Damage
The malicious destruction or injury to real or personal
property constitutes the crime of criminal damage, otherwise known as
vandalism. Breaking windows, cutting screens, damaging street signs or
street lights, and doing graffiti are a few examples of vandalism. When
juveniles commit vandalism, parents usually end up paying for the damage.
"Laws often change and the statutes are revised
and upgraded with each legislative session...for the most correct and
current information regarding Arizona law you can read and search the
statutes yourself on the internet as provided by the link below."
*Some exceptions may apply with a valid and legal prescription.
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