A.R.S. § 13-2915: Emergency Phone Interference
Preventing use of telephone in emergency; false representation of emergency; classification; definitions
Is it illegal to block someone's phone call in an emergency in Arizona?
In Arizona, it is a class 2 misdemeanor to knowingly refuse to give up a party line to someone reporting an emergency, to falsely claim an emergency exists to use a phone line, or to intentionally interfere with another person's use of a phone during an emergency situation where a domestic violence offense is reasonably believed to be occurring, to have occurred, or to be about to occur.
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Full statute text
Official text last checked against azleg.gov:
13-2915. Preventing use of telephone in emergency; false representation of emergency; classification; definitions
A. It is unlawful for a person to do any of the following:
1. Knowingly refuse to yield or surrender the use of a party line to another person to report a fire or summon police or medical or other aid in case of emergency.
2. Ask for or request the use of a party line on the pretext that an emergency exists, knowing that no emergency in fact exists.
3. Intentionally prevent or interfere with the use of a telephone by another person in an emergency situation.
B. Every telephone directory that is compiled and distributed to subscribers shall contain a notice explaining this section. The notice shall be printed in type that is no smaller than any other type on the same page, other than headings, and shall be preceded by the word "warning". This subsection does not apply to directories that are distributed solely for business advertising purposes, commonly known as classified directories.
C. This section does not require a person to allow another person to enter the person's home or place of residence for the purpose of using a telephone in an emergency situation.
D. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.
E. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Emergency" means a situation in which property or human life is in jeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential.
2. "Emergency situation" means a situation in which both of the following apply:
(a) Human health, life or safety is in jeopardy and the prompt summoning of aid is essential.
(b) It is reasonable to believe that a domestic violence offense pursuant to section 13-3601 is being, has been or is about to be committed.
3. "Party line" means a subscriber's line telephone circuit, consisting of two or more main telephone stations connected therewith, each station with a distinctive ring or telephone number.
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.