Arizona criminal charge
Conducting a chop shop in Arizona
Conducting a chop shop is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-4702. Its classification is not fixed: Arizona assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by A.R.S. § 13-4702.
What is the penalty for conducting a chop shop in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 10 years (Owning or operating a chop shop — Applies when a person violates subsection A, paragraph 1 by owning or operating a chop shop.; presumptive 5 years; mitigated 3 / aggravated 12.5 years available only on at least two mitigating/aggravating circumstances (13-701, 13-702(B)-(D)); repetitive (13-703) or dangerous (13-704) offenses use different ranges) | presumptive | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Owning or operating a chop shop — Applies when a person violates subsection A, paragraph 1 by owning or operating a chop shop.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); drug and other offenses may set higher statute-specific amounts) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | 18 months to 36 months (Transporting, selling, transferring, purchasing, altering VIN, or possessing altered VIN motor vehicles/parts related to chop shops — Applies when a person violates subsection A, paragraph 2, 3, 4, or 5, covering transport, sale/transfer/purchase/receipt, VIN alteration, or possession of VIN-altered vehicles/parts.; presumptive 2.5 years; mitigated 1 year / aggravated 3.75 years on required findings (13-701, 13-702(B)-(D)); repetitive (13-703) or dangerous (13-704) offenses use different ranges) | presumptive | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Transporting, selling, transferring, purchasing, altering VIN, or possessing altered VIN motor vehicles/parts related to chop shops — Applies when a person violates subsection A, paragraph 2, 3, 4, or 5, covering transport, sale/transfer/purchase/receipt, VIN alteration, or possession of VIN-altered vehicles/parts.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
Applies to first felony offense, non-dangerous; presumptive term 5 years.
How is conducting a chop shop classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owning or operating a chop shop | Class 2 Felony | Applies when a person violates subsection A, paragraph 1 by owning or operating a chop shop. | A.R.S. § 13-4702C |
| Transporting, selling, transferring, purchasing, altering VIN, or possessing altered VIN motor vehicles/parts related to chop shops | Class 4 Felony | Applies when a person violates subsection A, paragraph 2, 3, 4, or 5, covering transport, sale/transfer/purchase/receipt, VIN alteration, or possession of VIN-altered vehicles/parts. | A.R.S. § 13-4702C |
Common questions about conducting a chop shop in Arizona
Is conducting a chop shop a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: conducting a chop shop ranges from a Class 4 Felony to a Class 2 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-4702.
Owning or operating a chop shop: Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-4702C) · Transporting, selling, transferring, purchasing, altering VIN, or possessing altered VIN motor vehicles/parts related to chop shops: Class 4 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-4702C)
What are the penalties for conducting a chop shop in Arizona?
Penalties for conducting a chop shop in Arizona depend on how it is classified — from a Class 4 Felony up to a Class 2 Felony — with the ranges set by A.R.S. § 13-702; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Arizona statute covers conducting a chop shop?
Conducting a chop shop is governed by A.R.S. § 13-4702 (Conducting a chop shop; exception; violation; classification).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.