A Class 6 Felony Unlawful Discharge of Firearm with a Dangerous designation at Maricopa County Superior Court carried mandatory prison under ARS § 13-704 with a presumptive 2.25-year term. Future First reduced the case to an undesignated F6 Disorderly Conduct with Weapon and eliminated the Dangerous designation, unlocking probation eligibility.
At a glance
| Court | Maricopa County Superior Court |
| Original charge | Unlawful Discharge of Firearm (ARS § 13-3107), Class 6 Felony with Dangerous designation |
| Presumptive exposure | Mandatory prison under ARS § 13-704 with a presumptive 2.25-year prison term and a range from 1.5 to 3 years for first-time offenders, no probation eligibility for the dangerous count, a permanent dangerous-felony record, loss of civil rights including voting and firearm ownership, federal firearm prohibition for life, and a permanent felony bar that surfaces on every employment, housing, professional licensing, and immigration screen |
| Result | State amended charge from F6 Unlawful Discharge with Dangerous to undesignated Class 6 Felony Disorderly Conduct with Weapon (ARS § 13-2904(A)(6)); Dangerous designation eliminated; 2 years supervised probation; 7 days upfront jail with 1 day credit; substance abuse terms; $65 monthly probation service fee; no prison |
| Eligibility for designation to misdemeanor | Approximately 2026 under ARS § 13-604, after 50 percent of probation completion |
| Eligibility for set aside | 2027 after probation completion under ARS § 13-905 |
| Eligibility for sealing | Approximately 2030 under ARS § 13-911, three years after sentence completion if designated to misdemeanor |
The stakes
The client faced a Class 6 Felony Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm charge under ARS § 13-3107 with a Dangerous designation in Maricopa County Superior Court. A C6 dangerous-designated felony conviction would have meant mandatory prison under ARS § 13-704 with a presumptive 2.25-year term and a range from 1.5 to 3 years for a first-time offender, no probation eligibility on the dangerous count, a permanent dangerous-felony record, loss of civil rights including voting and firearm ownership, federal firearm prohibition for life, and a permanent felony bar that surfaces on every employment, housing, professional licensing, and immigration screen.
What we did
Future First negotiated the case down from a Class 6 Felony Dangerous to an undesignated Class 6 Felony Disorderly Conduct with Weapon under ARS § 13-2904(A)(6). The Dangerous designation was eliminated, which unlocked probation eligibility and removed the mandatory prison floor under ARS § 13-704. The client received 2 years supervised probation, 7 days upfront jail with credit for one day, substance abuse terms, and a $65 monthly probation service fee. No prison. Designate to Misdemeanor under ARS § 13-604 eligible approximately 2026. Set aside under ARS § 13-905 available 2027. Arrest record sealing under ARS § 13-911 eligible approximately 2030.
What our clients say
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If you’re facing a Dangerous-designated firearm felony in Arizona
The Dangerous designation under ARS § 13-704 is the single most consequential add-on to any felony charge in Arizona. The designation triggers mandatory prison, eliminates probation eligibility on the dangerous count, and changes the sentencing range to a fixed presumptive that runs significantly higher than the base felony class. A C6 felony with a Dangerous designation has a higher prison floor than a C5 felony without one.
Eliminating the Dangerous designation is the highest-impact defense move on a dangerous-designated case. When the State agrees to drop the Dangerous designation, the entire sentencing structure shifts from mandatory prison to probation eligibility. The conviction may still be a felony, but the path forward changes from “how long in prison” to “what terms of probation.”
Substituting Disorderly Conduct with Weapon under ARS § 13-2904(A)(6) for Unlawful Discharge under ARS § 13-3107 also reframes the offense category. Disorderly Conduct with Weapon captures the firearm-involvement element without the discharge-specific framing that drives sentencing harshness on the original charge.
Future First Criminal Law has handled Dangerous-designation firearm cases across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Maricopa County Superior Court evaluates Dangerous-designation removal negotiations.
Related resources
- Arizona criminal defense — felony defense strategy and process
- Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record after a felony
Call us
Facing a Dangerous-designated felony in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-932-7890 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of Arizona felony cases. The earlier we are involved, the more options you have.
Anonymized in line with firm policy. Client name not used. Specific dates approximated to year only. Outcome described reflects this client’s actual results. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. For more detailed information on Arizona criminal law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.