Opinion ID: 1427012
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: custody as an aggravating factor

Text: The state urges by cross-appeal that the aggravating factor set forth in A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(7)  that the defendant committed the offense while in the custody of the Department of Corrections  applies to appellant. The state recognizes that this court in State v. Gillies, 135 Ariz. 500, 512, 662 P.2d 1007, 1019 (1983), held that this aggravating circumstance does not apply to persons on unsecured work furlough. The state distinguishes Gillies by saying that in this case appellant was on secured work furlough (he was required to return to the Durango facility each day at 6:00 p.m.) whereas the defendant in Gillies was on unsecured work furlough. In Gillies we stated that the legislature's purpose for enacting A.R.S. § 13-703(F)(7) is to protect the guards and other inmates at such institutions where a defendant is confined and to discourage violence by incarcerated persons. 135 Ariz. at 512, 662 P.2d at 1019. Appellant was not confined when he committed the offense, nor was he incarcerated. Section 13-703(F)(7) does not apply to him.