Opinion ID: 1268761
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Violent Felony Conviction

Text: The trial judge also found as an aggravating circumstance that the defendant was previously convicted of a felony in the United States involving the use or threat of violence on another person. A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(2). As noted above, defendant does not challenge the validity of his three prior armed robbery convictions. The only question, therefore, is whether an armed robbery is a felony involving the use or threat of violence. We have stated previously that this court may take judicial notice that certain crimes are, by definition, violent felonies against others. State v. Nash, 143 Ariz. at 402, 694 P.2d at 234. As far as A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(2) is concerned, in Arizona the crime of armed robbery is a violent felony committed against another person. See id. The trial judge was thus correct in finding this aggravating circumstance.