Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-201 (2026)

Requirements for criminal liability

✓ current as of May 2026
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The minimum requirement for criminal liability is the performance by a person of conduct which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform a duty imposed by law which the person is physically capable of performing.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 24 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1981–2026 · leading case: State v. Moody, 94 P.3d 1119 (Ariz. 2004).
State v. Moody, 94 P.3d 1119 (Ariz. 2004). · cites it 12× “Failure to Give a Voluntary Act Instruction ¶ 197 Moody alleges error in the trial court's refusal to give a voluntary act instruction.”
State v. McKeon, 38 P.3d 1236 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 12× “See A.R.S. § 13-201. This principle has been codified in Arizona since 1901.”
State v. Lara, 902 P.2d 1337 (Ariz. 1995). · cites it 11× “Based on this sort of testimony, Lara asked for a voluntary act instruction under A.R.S. § 13-201 and § ÍS-IOS^). 1 The trial court rejected the instruction.”
Carlos Cruz v. Hon. blair/state of Arizona, 532 P.3d 327 (Ariz. 2023). · cites it 12× “¶19 Actus reus is codified in A.R.S. § 13-201: “The minimum requirement for criminal liability is the performance by a person of conduct which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform a duty imposed by law which the person is physically capable of performing.”
State v. Vandever, 119 P.3d 473 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “, a legal excuse, only if it was unforeseeable and, with the benefit of hindsight, may be described as abnormal or extraordinary.”
State v. Bayardi, 281 P.3d 1063 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. § 13-201 (proof of "voluntary act” is a "minimum requirement for criminal liability”); State v.”
State v. Malloy, 639 P.2d 315 (Ariz. 1981). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. § 13-201. Hence, the word “knowingly” as used in the criminal trespass statute must have some additional meaning, for the difference in language must have been intended to bring about a difference in result.”
State v. Venegas, 669 P.2d 604 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 4× “” A voluntary act is essential to establishing appellant’s criminal liability here, because A.R.S. § 13-201 provides: The minimum requirement for criminal liability is the performance by a person of conduct which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform a duty imposed…”
State of Arizona v. Jesus Xavier Almaguer, 303 P.3d 84 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 2× “AR.S. § 13-201. A voluntary act is a “bodily movement performed consciously and as a result of effort and determination.”
State v. Far West Water & Sewer Inc., 228 P.3d 909 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “A.R.S. § 13-201(2001). “Conduct” is “an act or omission and its accompanying mental state.”
State, Ex Rel. Horne v. Campos, 250 P.3d 201 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. § 13-201 (2010) (criminal liability requires "a voluntary act” or the omission of a duty a person could have performed).”
State v. Fristoe, 658 P.2d 825 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1982). · cites it 2× “3 Further, A.R.S. § 13-201 states: The minimum requirement for criminal liability is the performance by a person of conduct which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform a duty imposed by law which the person is physically capable of performing.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-201(2001) — 1 case
State v. Far West Water & Sewer Inc., 228 P.3d 909 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2010). “A.R.S. § 13-201(2001). “Conduct” is “an act or omission and its accompanying mental state.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-201(A)(1) — 1 case
State v. Vandever, 119 P.3d 473 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2005). “, a legal excuse, only if it was unforeseeable and, with the benefit of hindsight, may be described as abnormal or extraordinary.”
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