A.R.S. § 13-2413: Crime Scene Interference
Interfering with a crime scene investigation; classification; definition
Is it illegal to interfere with a crime scene investigation in Arizona?
In Arizona, it is a class 2 misdemeanor to knowingly disobey a peace officer's reasonable verbal order to stay off a possible crime scene, or to otherwise interfere with the officer's investigation there. People may still peaceably watch police activity as long as they don't interfere, and a "crime scene" is an area where an on-site officer has decided public access must be restricted until evidence and people are identified and any needed medical care is requested.
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Full statute text
Official text last checked against azleg.gov:
13-2413. Interfering with a crime scene investigation; classification; definition
A. A person commits interfering with a crime scene investigation if the person knowingly disobeys a peace officer's reasonable verbal order to remain off the premises of a possible crime scene or otherwise interferes with a peace officer's crime scene investigation.
B. This section does not prevent a person from peaceably observing a police proceeding if the person does not interfere with or obstruct the peace officer's crime scene investigation.
C. Interfering with a crime scene investigation is a class 2 misdemeanor.
D. For the purposes of this section, "crime scene" means an area where a crime has possibly occurred and a peace officer who is on-site has determined that it is necessary to restrict the public's access to the area until any potential evidence of the crime at the scene is identified and preserved, victims and suspects are identified and, if necessary, any emergency medical care and ambulance transportation is requested.
Drafted by AI from the official text and checked sentence by sentence against azleg.gov. ClearStatute is run by David Bartlett, who is not an attorney. Legal information, not legal advice — consult a licensed attorney for your situation.