Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302 (2026)

Custodial interference; child born out of wedlock; defenses; classification

✓ current as of May 2026
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section AZ-LEGazleg.gov (official) JustiaTitle on Justia CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar

A. A person commits custodial interference if, knowing or having reason to know that the person has no legal right to do so, the person does one of the following:

1. Takes, entices or keeps from lawful custody any child, or any person who is incompetent, and who is entrusted by authority of law to the custody of another person or institution.

2. Before the entry of a court order determining custodial rights, takes, entices or withholds any child from the other parent denying that parent access to any child.

3. If the person is one of two persons who have joint legal custody of a child, takes, entices or withholds from physical custody the child from the other custodian.

4. At the expiration of access rights outside this state, intentionally fails or refuses to return or impedes the return of a child to the lawful custodian.

B. If a child is born out of wedlock, the mother is the legal custodian of the child for the purposes of this section until paternity is established and custody or access is determined by a court.

C. It is a defense to a prosecution pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 2 if both of the following apply:

1. The defendant has begun the process to obtain an order of protection or files a petition for custody within a reasonable period of time and the order of protection or petition states the defendant's belief that the child was at risk if left with the other parent.

2. The defendant is the child's parent and has the right of custody and the defendant either:

(a) Has a good faith and reasonable belief that the taking, enticing or withholding is necessary to protect the child from immediate danger.

(b) Is a victim of domestic violence by the other parent and has a good faith and reasonable belief that the child will be in immediate danger if the child is left with the other parent.

D. Subsection A, paragraphs 2 and 3 do not apply to a person who is the child's parent if both of the following apply:

1. The person has filed an emergency petition regarding custodial rights with the superior court and has received a hearing date from the court.

2. The person has a good faith and reasonable belief that the child will be in immediate danger if the child is left with the other parent.

E. A violation of this section is:

1. A class 3 felony if committed by a person other than the parent or agent of the parent or custodian or agent of the custodian.

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 3 of this subsection, a class 4 felony if the child or incompetent person is taken, enticed or kept from lawful custody out of this state by the parent or agent of the parent or custodian or the agent of the custodian.

3. A class 6 felony if committed by a parent or agent of the parent or custodian or agent of the custodian.

4. A class 1 misdemeanor if the child or incompetent person is voluntarily returned without physical injury by the parent or defendant or the agent of the parent or defendant no later than forty-eight hours after the parent or defendant takes, entices or keeps from lawful custody the child or incompetent person.

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 38 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 1972–2025 · leading case: Gutierrez v. Hon. fox/kivlighn, 394 P.3d 1096 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2017).
Gutierrez v. Hon. fox/kivlighn, 394 P.3d 1096 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 8× “from the jurisdiction of the court without the prior written consent of the [other] parity] or the permission of the court.” A.R.S. § 25-808(B)(1)(b). ¶43 Likewise, a parent commits “custodial interference” if he or she knowingly “[b]efore the entry of a court order determining…”
State v. Wood, 8 P.3d 1189 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 26× “S”) § 13-1302 (Supp. 1999). The trial court found that section 13-1302(A)(2) requires an ongoing court proceeding concerning custody before a person can be charged with custodial interference under this section.”
State v. Wilhite, 772 P.2d 582 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 14× “A.R.S. § 13-1302 provides: A. A person commits custodial interference if, knowing or having reason to know that he has no legal right to do so, such person knowingly takes, entices or keeps from lawful custody any child less than eighteen years of age or incompetent, entrusted…”
In Re the Appeal in Maricopa Cnty. Juv. Action No. JD-4974, 785 P.2d 1248 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 16× “A.R.S. § 13-1302 provides in pertinent part: A.”
Riepe v. Riepe, 91 P.3d 312 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 4× “§ 8-531(12) (1999) (in the context of termination of parental rights, "`[p]arent' means the natural or adoptive mother or father of a child") (emphasis added); A.R.S. § 13-1302 (2001) (dealing with custodial interference and referencing "the child's parent " and "the other…”
State v. Freeney, 219 P.3d 1039 (Ariz. 2009). · cites it 2× “1 [of A.R.S. § 13-1302] differ from those required to prove a violation of subsection A.”
Duwyenie v. Moran, 207 P.3d 754 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 3× “” § 13-1302(A)(1). 5 . Moran concedes the trial court's exercise of jurisdiction "would have been far more easily justified” had Duwyenie "filed her paternity action in the Gila County Superior Court in the Fall of 2006.”
Mahar v. Acuna, II, 287 P.3d 824 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “Assuming the record provides reasonable cause to believe Hector had engaged in or would engage in custodial interference, see A.R.S. § 13-1302, which A.R.S. § 13 — 3601 (A) defines as domestic violence, the record provides no support for the additional findings concerning…”
State v. Viramontes, 788 P.2d 67 (Ariz. 1990). · cites it 4× “, A.R.S. § 13-1302. 2 This case, however, does not present a custody dispute.”
State v. Bean, 851 P.2d 843 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 9× “See A.R.S. § 13-1302. Emotional harm to the victim is an appropriate aggravating circumstance to be considered by a sentencing court, as is the cruel or depraved manner in which an offense is committed.”
State v. Ramsey, 831 P.2d 408 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 3× “The custodial interference statute, A.R.S. § 13-1302, provides in part that: A.”
Father in Pima Cnty. Juv. Action No. S-114487 v. Adam, 876 P.2d 1121 (Ariz. 1994). · cites it 4× “Bean, the state faced an equal protection challenge to the custodial interference statute, A.R.S. § 13-1302, which grants to the mother sole legal custody of a child bom out of wedlock, until paternity is established and custody is determined.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(A) — 6 cases
Arizona Dep't of Econ. Sec. v. Stanford, 323 P.3d 760 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2014).
Father in Pima Cnty. Juv. Action No. S-114487 v. Adam, 876 P.2d 1121 (Ariz. 1994). “Bean, the state faced an equal protection challenge to the custodial interference statute, A.R.S. § 13-1302, which grants to the mother sole legal custody of a child bom out of wedlock, until paternity is established and custody is determined.”
State v. Coleman, 733 P.2d 1166 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1987).
State v. Wood, 8 P.3d 1189 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). “S”) § 13-1302 (Supp. 1999). The trial court found that section 13-1302(A)(2) requires an ongoing court proceeding concerning custody before a person can be charged with custodial interference under this section.”
State v. Grooms, 702 P.2d 260 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1985).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(A)(1) — 5 cases
Duwyenie v. Moran, 207 P.3d 754 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2009). “” § 13-1302(A)(1). 5 . Moran concedes the trial court's exercise of jurisdiction "would have been far more easily justified” had Duwyenie "filed her paternity action in the Gila County Superior Court in the Fall of 2006.”
State v. Wood, 8 P.3d 1189 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). “S”) § 13-1302 (Supp. 1999). The trial court found that section 13-1302(A)(2) requires an ongoing court proceeding concerning custody before a person can be charged with custodial interference under this section.”
State v. Ramos (Ariz. Ct. App. 2018).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(A)(2) — 4 cases
Gutierrez v. Hon. fox/kivlighn, 394 P.3d 1096 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2017). “from the jurisdiction of the court without the prior written consent of the [other] parity] or the permission of the court.” A.R.S. § 25-808(B)(1)(b). ¶43 Likewise, a parent commits “custodial interference” if he or she knowingly “[b]efore the entry of a court order determining…”
State v. Wood, 8 P.3d 1189 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). “S”) § 13-1302 (Supp. 1999). The trial court found that section 13-1302(A)(2) requires an ongoing court proceeding concerning custody before a person can be charged with custodial interference under this section.”
King v. Bertram (Ariz. Ct. App. 2025).
McGhee v. Arizona, State of (D. Ariz. 2024).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(A)(3) — 3 cases
State v. Wood, 8 P.3d 1189 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). “S”) § 13-1302 (Supp. 1999). The trial court found that section 13-1302(A)(2) requires an ongoing court proceeding concerning custody before a person can be charged with custodial interference under this section.”
Diacos v. Ringwald (Ariz. Ct. App. 2025).
McGhee v. Arizona, State of (D. Ariz. 2024).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(A)(4) — 1 case
State v. Wood, 8 P.3d 1189 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). “S”) § 13-1302 (Supp. 1999). The trial court found that section 13-1302(A)(2) requires an ongoing court proceeding concerning custody before a person can be charged with custodial interference under this section.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(B) — 7 cases
Gutierrez v. Hon. fox/kivlighn, 394 P.3d 1096 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2017). “from the jurisdiction of the court without the prior written consent of the [other] parity] or the permission of the court.” A.R.S. § 25-808(B)(1)(b). ¶43 Likewise, a parent commits “custodial interference” if he or she knowingly “[b]efore the entry of a court order determining…”
In Re the Appeal in Maricopa Cnty. Juv. Action No. JD-4974, 785 P.2d 1248 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990). “A.R.S. § 13-1302 provides in pertinent part: A.”
Duwyenie v. Moran, 207 P.3d 754 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2009). “” § 13-1302(A)(1). 5 . Moran concedes the trial court's exercise of jurisdiction "would have been far more easily justified” had Duwyenie "filed her paternity action in the Gila County Superior Court in the Fall of 2006.”
In Re the Appeal in Maricopa Cnty. Juv. Action No. JD-500200, 788 P.2d 1208 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1989).
State v. Viramontes, 788 P.2d 67 (Ariz. 1990). “, A.R.S. § 13-1302. 2 This case, however, does not present a custody dispute.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(C) — 1 case
State v. Wilhite, 772 P.2d 582 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1989). “A.R.S. § 13-1302 provides: A. A person commits custodial interference if, knowing or having reason to know that he has no legal right to do so, such person knowingly takes, entices or keeps from lawful custody any child less than eighteen years of age or incompetent, entrusted…”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(C)(1) — 1 case
State v. Wood, 8 P.3d 1189 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). “S”) § 13-1302 (Supp. 1999). The trial court found that section 13-1302(A)(2) requires an ongoing court proceeding concerning custody before a person can be charged with custodial interference under this section.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(C)(2)(a) — 1 case
State v. Munoz, 2006 NMSC 5 (N.M. 2006).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1302(D) — 1 case
McGhee v. Arizona, State of (D. Ariz. 2024).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.