Arizona criminal charge
Fraudulent use of a credit card in Arizona
Fraudulent use of a credit card is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-2105. 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. § 13-2105.
What is the penalty for fraudulent use of a credit card in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Fraudulent use of a credit card (base offense) — Applies when the value of money, goods, services or other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is less than two hundred fifty dollars in any consecutive six-month period.; definite term served outside state prison (13-707(A)(1)); prior same offense within 2 years elevates to the next higher class (13-707(B))) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Fraudulent use of a credit card (base offense) — Applies when the value of money, goods, services or other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is less than two hundred fifty dollars in any consecutive six-month period.; 13-802(A)) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 18 months (Fraudulent use of a credit card ($250-$1,000) — Applies when the value of all money, goods, services and other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is two hundred fifty dollars or more but less than one thousand dollars in any consecutive six-month period.; presumptive 1 year; mitigated .33 years / aggravated 2 years on required findings (13-701, 13-702(B)-(D)); repetitive (13-703) or dangerous (13-704) offenses use different ranges; a class 6 felony may be designated a class 1 misdemeanor under 13-604) | presumptive | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Fraudulent use of a credit card ($250-$1,000) — Applies when the value of all money, goods, services and other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is two hundred fifty dollars or more but less than one thousand dollars in any consecutive six-month period.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | 9 months to 24 months (Fraudulent use of a credit card ($1,000 or more) — Applies when the value of all money, goods, services and other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is one thousand dollars or more in any consecutive six-month period.; presumptive 1.5 years; mitigated 6 months / aggravated 2.5 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 (Fraudulent use of a credit card ($1,000 or more) — Applies when the value of all money, goods, services and other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is one thousand dollars or more in any consecutive six-month period.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
Applies to current.
How is fraudulent use of a credit card classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fraudulent use of a credit card (base offense) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when the value of money, goods, services or other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is less than two hundred fifty dollars in any consecutive six-month period. | A.R.S. § 13-2105B |
| Fraudulent use of a credit card ($250-$1,000) | Class 6 Felony | Applies when the value of all money, goods, services and other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is two hundred fifty dollars or more but less than one thousand dollars in any consecutive six-month period. | A.R.S. § 13-2105B |
| Fraudulent use of a credit card ($1,000 or more) | Class 5 Felony | Applies when the value of all money, goods, services and other things of value obtained or attempted to be obtained is one thousand dollars or more in any consecutive six-month period. | A.R.S. § 13-2105B |
Common questions about fraudulent use of a credit card in Arizona
Is fraudulent use of a credit card a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: fraudulent use of a credit card ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 5 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-2105.
Fraudulent use of a credit card (base offense): Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-2105B) · Fraudulent use of a credit card ($250-$1,000): Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-2105B) · Fraudulent use of a credit card ($1,000 or more): Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-2105B)
What are the penalties for fraudulent use of a credit card in Arizona?
Which Arizona statute covers fraudulent use of a credit card?
Fraudulent use of a credit card is governed by A.R.S. § 13-2105 (Fraudulent use of a credit card; 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.