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US: Arizona law proposes stronger penalty for laser misuse during disorderly protests
A bill was introduced into the Arizona State Legislature, increasing the penalty for aiming a laser pointer at a "peace officer."
Currently, this offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor. House Bill 2309, if passed, would make this a Class 6 felony if the "offense occurs in the course of committing violent or disorderly assembly."
A Class 6 felony is considered aggravated assault, with a mandatory minimum six month jail term.
"Violent or disorderly assembly" is a new term created in the bill, defined as follows: "A person commits violent or disorderly assembly if, with seven or more other persons acting together, the person, with the intent to engage in conduct constituting a riot or an unlawful assembly, causes damage to property or injury to another person."
As of February 24 2021, the bill was reported out of committee to the House.
From the Martinsville Bulletin
Currently, this offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor. House Bill 2309, if passed, would make this a Class 6 felony if the "offense occurs in the course of committing violent or disorderly assembly."
A Class 6 felony is considered aggravated assault, with a mandatory minimum six month jail term.
"Violent or disorderly assembly" is a new term created in the bill, defined as follows: "A person commits violent or disorderly assembly if, with seven or more other persons acting together, the person, with the intent to engage in conduct constituting a riot or an unlawful assembly, causes damage to property or injury to another person."
As of February 24 2021, the bill was reported out of committee to the House.
From the Martinsville Bulletin