Arizona criminal charge
Shoplifting in Arizona
Current through 2026 Arizona legislative session
Shoplifting is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-1805. 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. § 13-1805.
What is the penalty for shoplifting in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 9 months to 24 months (Shoplifting ($2,000 or more, continuing criminal episode, or gang-related) — Property shoplifted has a value of two thousand dollars or more, or the shoplifting occurs during a continuing criminal episode, or is done to promote, further or assist a criminal street gang or criminal syndicate.; 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 (Shoplifting ($2,000 or more, continuing criminal episode, or gang-related) — Property shoplifted has a value of two thousand dollars or more, or the shoplifting occurs during a continuing criminal episode, or is done to promote, further or assist a criminal street gang or criminal syndicate.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 18 months (Shoplifting ($1,000–$2,000) — Property shoplifted has a value of one thousand dollars or more but less than two thousand dollars.; 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 (Shoplifting ($1,000–$2,000) — Property shoplifted has a value of one thousand dollars or more but less than two thousand dollars.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 18 months (Shoplifting a firearm — The shoplifted property is a firearm, regardless of value.; 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 (Shoplifting a firearm — The shoplifted property is a firearm, regardless of value.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Shoplifting (under $1,000) — Property shoplifted is valued at less than one thousand dollars and is not a firearm.; 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 (Shoplifting (under $1,000) — Property shoplifted is valued at less than one thousand dollars and is not a firearm.; 13-802(A)) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Jail / prison | 18 months to 36 months (Shoplifting with artifice or by repeat offender — The person uses an artifice, instrument, container, device or other article to facilitate shoplifting, or has previously committed or been convicted within the past five years of two or more qualifying offenses (burglary, shoplifting, robbery, organized retail theft or theft).; 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 (Shoplifting with artifice or by repeat offender — The person uses an artifice, instrument, container, device or other article to facilitate shoplifting, or has previously committed or been convicted within the past five years of two or more qualifying offenses (burglary, shoplifting, robbery, organized retail theft or theft).; 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 1.5 years.
How is shoplifting classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoplifting ($2,000 or more, continuing criminal episode, or gang-related) | Class 5 Felony | Property shoplifted has a value of two thousand dollars or more, or the shoplifting occurs during a continuing criminal episode, or is done to promote, further or assist a criminal street gang or criminal syndicate. | A.R.S. § 13-1805H |
| Shoplifting ($1,000–$2,000) | Class 6 Felony | Property shoplifted has a value of one thousand dollars or more but less than two thousand dollars. | A.R.S. § 13-1805H |
| Shoplifting a firearm | Class 6 Felony | The shoplifted property is a firearm, regardless of value. | A.R.S. § 13-1805H |
| Shoplifting (under $1,000) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Property shoplifted is valued at less than one thousand dollars and is not a firearm. | A.R.S. § 13-1805H |
| Shoplifting with artifice or by repeat offender | Class 4 Felony | The person uses an artifice, instrument, container, device or other article to facilitate shoplifting, or has previously committed or been convicted within the past five years of two or more qualifying offenses (burglary, shoplifting, robbery, organized retail theft or theft). | A.R.S. § 13-1805I |
Common questions about shoplifting in Arizona
Is shoplifting a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: shoplifting ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 4 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1805.
Shoplifting ($2,000 or more, continuing criminal episode, or gang-related): Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1805H) · Shoplifting ($1,000–$2,000): Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1805H) · Shoplifting a firearm: Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1805H) · Shoplifting (under $1,000): Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1805H) · Shoplifting with artifice or by repeat offender: Class 4 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1805I)
What are the penalties for shoplifting in Arizona?
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.