Arizona criminal charge
Impersonating a peace officer in Arizona
Impersonating a peace officer is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-2411. 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. § 13-2411.
What is the penalty for impersonating a peace officer in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 18 months (Impersonating a peace officer — base offense — Applies generally when a person impersonates a peace officer without commission of one of the enumerated felonies.; 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 (Impersonating a peace officer — base offense — Applies generally when a person impersonates a peace officer without commission of one of the enumerated felonies.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | 18 months to 36 months (Impersonating a peace officer — during commission of enumerated felony — Applies when the impersonation occurs during the commission of any of the felonies listed in paragraphs 1 through 26 of subsection C.; 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 (Impersonating a peace officer — during commission of enumerated felony — Applies when the impersonation occurs during the commission of any of the felonies listed in paragraphs 1 through 26 of subsection C.; 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 1 year.
How is impersonating a peace officer classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impersonating a peace officer — base offense | Class 6 Felony | Applies generally when a person impersonates a peace officer without commission of one of the enumerated felonies. | A.R.S. § 13-2411C |
| Impersonating a peace officer — during commission of enumerated felony | Class 4 Felony | Applies when the impersonation occurs during the commission of any of the felonies listed in paragraphs 1 through 26 of subsection C. | A.R.S. § 13-2411C |
Common questions about impersonating a peace officer in Arizona
Is impersonating a peace officer a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: impersonating a peace officer ranges from a Class 6 Felony to a Class 4 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-2411.
Impersonating a peace officer — base offense: Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-2411C) · Impersonating a peace officer — during commission of enumerated felony: Class 4 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-2411C)
What are the penalties for impersonating a peace officer in Arizona?
Penalties for impersonating a peace officer in Arizona depend on how it is classified — from a Class 6 Felony up to a Class 4 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 impersonating a peace officer?
Impersonating a peace officer is governed by A.R.S. § 13-2411 (Impersonating a peace officer; classification; definition).
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.