By Jakob Thorington | Yellow Sheet
Gov. Katie Hobbs will soon act on a bill that would allow people with nonviolent felony convictions to reduce their offenses to a misdemeanor.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously passed House Bill 2479. The bill only applies to first time felony offenders who have been convicted of a Class 4, 5 or 6 felony that didn’t involve a victim.
Eligible individuals would also have to demonstrate good behavior for five years, including paying all their court-imposed fines and avoiding any other felony or misdemeanor offenses.
“HB 2749 is about accountability, redemption, and common sense,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Tony Rivero, said in a statement. “When someone commits a nonviolent, victimless offense, pays their debt, completes every requirement ordered by the court, and proves for years that they are living the right way, Arizona should not force that person to carry a felony label forever.”
