Endangerment

Under A.R.S. § 13-1201, a person commits endangerment by recklessly endangering another person with a substantial risk of imminent death or physical injury. No actual injury is required.

Penalties

Endangerment involving a substantial risk of imminent death is a Class 6 felony. If the risk involves only physical injury, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Defenses

Defenses focus on whether the defendant’s conduct was truly reckless and whether it created a substantial risk. Challenging the characterization of the risk — death versus physical injury — can make the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor.