SB 1608
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
Senate: TTC DPA/SE 4-3-0-0 | 3
rd
Read DPA 16-13-1-0-0
House: JUD DP 6-3-0-0
SB 1608: electronic applications; human smuggling
Sponsor: Senator Wadsack, LD 17
Caucus & COW
Overview
Creates new class 2 felony offense for using a telephone or computer application or program
to knowingly assist in the smuggling of human beings.
History
It is a criminal offense under current statute for a person to intentionally engage in the
smuggling of human beings for profit or commercial purposes. This offense is generally
classified as a class 4 felony, except in the following circumstances:
1) if the human being who is smuggled is under 18 years old and is not accompanied by
a family member over 18 years old, and the offense involved a deadly weapon or
dangerous instrument, the offense is a class 2 felony;
2) if the offense involves the use or threatened use of deadly physical force, the offense
is class 3 felony and the convicted person is not eligible for suspension of sentence,
probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis, with certain exceptions
(A.R.S. § 13-2319).
Class 4, 3 and 2 felony offenses carry presumptive prison sentences of 2.5 years, 3.5 years
and 5 years, respectively (A.R.S. § 13-702). All felony offenses carry a maximum fine of
$150,000 to be determined by the court (A.R.S. § 13-801).
Provisions
1. Adds new section of statute creating a criminal offense for using a telephone or computer
application or program to knowingly assist in the smuggling of human beings. (Sec. 1)
2. Classifies this offense as a class 2 felony without eligibility for suspension of sentence,
probation, pardon or release on any basis, with certain exceptions, until the sentence is
served, the person is eligible for community supervision or the sentence is commuted.
(Sec. 1)
3. Specifies that A.R.S. title 13, chapter 10 (preparatory offenses) does not apply to this
new offense. (Sec. 1)
4. For purposes of this offense, defines smuggling of human beings as the transportation,
procurement of transportation or use of property or real property by a person or an entity
with the intent to do either of the following:
a) Conceal the person from a peace officer;
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note SB 1608
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b) Assist the person with fleeing from a peace officer who is attempting to lawfully arrest
or detain the person. (Sec. 1)