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Question:

If you spit from a building on someone, is that against the law?



Answer:

Spitting on someone is against the law if it is done to insult, injure or provoke the person spit upon. Arizona Law (A.R.S. § 13-1203(A)(3)) states that 'a person commits assault by knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure, insult or provoke such person.' Spitting on someone is considered under the law to be a type of touching.

 

This type of assault is a class 3 misdemeanor unless the assault is aggravated by the fact that the victim was on duty at the time of the assault as a police officer, firefighter, paramedic or a licensed health care practitioner (such as a nurse or doctor). If that is the case, then the crime is an aggravated assault and is a class 6 felony. A class 3 misdemeanor is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. A class 6 felony is punishable for as little as 4 months or as much as 2 years in prison.


Comments
6 thru 8 of 8 comments
On 05/03/03
Andy from PA said:
Most diseases must be transferred by blood transfusion or bodily fluids. Therefor spitting on someone will not harm them in any way. Spitting on someone who is an offical is a felony? Our government is mostly right about a lot of things but definently not in this situation.
On 02/04/03
Nikki from AZ said:
I feel that it is somewhat pathetic if they feel that spitting on someone is considered a felony. And what makes spitting on a police officer, firefighter, paramedic or a licensed health care practitioner any more illegal? I must say, I think this law is a bit childish. How many kids are even going to be aware of this law when they spit from a two-story building and hit a police officer who just happens to be strolling by? And how does a law official decide whether or not it was by accident or on purpose?
On 11/06/02
Gracie from AZ said:
I feel it's great that people are punished when someone spits on you because it has happened to me before. I feel it's a big endangerment on your life when someone spits on you because they could have a disease and you may get it or just the simple fact of any bacteria.
6 thru 8 of 8 comments



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