Ariz. Rev. Stat. » Title 13
Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2402 (2026)

Obstructing governmental operations; classification

✓ current as of May 2026
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A. A person commits obstructing governmental operations if, by using or threatening to use violence or physical force, such person knowingly obstructs, impairs or hinders:

1. The performance of a governmental function by a public servant acting under color of his official authority; or

2. The enforcement of the penal law or the preservation of the peace by a peace officer acting under color of his official authority.

B. This section does not apply to the obstruction, impairment or hinderance of the making of an arrest.

C. Obstructing governmental operations is a class 1 misdemeanor.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2000–2024 · leading case: State v. Clary, 2 P.3d 1255 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000).
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State v. Clary, 2 P.3d 1255 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 8× “See A.R.S. § 13-2402 (1989) ("using or threatening to use .”
State of Arizona v. Ronald Vassell, 359 P.3d 1025 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. § 13-2402(A)(2). 2 . About this time, another officer detonated a light-sound distraction device, also known as a "flash bang,” outside of the house in the backyard, in order to try to draw the attention of anyone inside toward the back of the house.”
Manriquez v. Superior, Town of (D. Ariz. 2020). · cites it 26× “2002) (citing A.R.S. § 13-2402 7 for the proposition that it is a crime to resist a search warrant and parenthetically noting 8 that such resistance would constitute obstruction of a public servant acting under color of 9 his official authority).”
Arizona Broadcasters Ass'n v. Mayes (D. Ariz. 2022). · cites it 2× “, A.R.S. §§ 13-2402, 13-2404. 2 Thus, HB2319 is not “necessary.”
Mosher v. Mesa, City of (D. Ariz. 2024). · cites it 2× “) 19 Mosher further alleges that Officer Alexander used the fabricated Reports to complete a 20 “submission form” recommending Mosher be charged with resisting arrest under Arizona 21 Revised Statute § 13-2508(A)(2) and obstructing governmental operations under Arizona 22…”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2402(A)(1) — 1 case
Manriquez v. Superior, Town of (D. Ariz. 2020). “2002) (citing A.R.S. § 13-2402 7 for the proposition that it is a crime to resist a search warrant and parenthetically noting 8 that such resistance would constitute obstruction of a public servant acting under color of 9 his official authority).”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2402(A)(2) — 2 cases
State of Arizona v. Ronald Vassell, 359 P.3d 1025 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015). “See A.R.S. § 13-2402(A)(2). 2 . About this time, another officer detonated a light-sound distraction device, also known as a "flash bang,” outside of the house in the backyard, in order to try to draw the attention of anyone inside toward the back of the house.”
Mosher v. Mesa, City of (D. Ariz. 2024). “) 19 Mosher further alleges that Officer Alexander used the fabricated Reports to complete a 20 “submission form” recommending Mosher be charged with resisting arrest under Arizona 21 Revised Statute § 13-2508(A)(2) and obstructing governmental operations under Arizona 22…”
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