The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 13-703 to establish stricter sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of organized retail theft. Specifically, it mandates that a person convicted of a third or subsequent violation of organized retail theft, with the intent to resell or trade the stolen merchandise, must be sentenced as a category two repetitive offender. This change aims to enhance penalties for repeat offenders of organized retail theft.

Under current law, individuals convicted of multiple felony offenses are generally classified as a first-time offender for their first offense and as a category one repetitive offender for subsequent offenses. The new bill introduces an exception to this rule, ensuring that repeat offenders of organized retail theft face more severe consequences, thereby addressing the growing concern of organized retail crime.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 38-849
Senate Engrossed Version: 38-849
House Engrossed Version: 13-703