Arizona criminal charge
Unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label in Arizona
Unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-1817. 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. § 13-1817.
What is the penalty for unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 9 months to 24 months (Possession of fraudulent receipts/UPC labels or device (15+) — Applies when a person possesses at least fifteen fraudulent retail sales receipts or universal product code labels, or a device that manufactures them, with intent to cheat or defraud a merchant, as described in subsection A paragraph 1.; 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 (Possession of fraudulent receipts/UPC labels or device (15+) — Applies when a person possesses at least fifteen fraudulent retail sales receipts or universal product code labels, or a device that manufactures them, with intent to cheat or defraud a merchant, as described in subsection A paragraph 1.; 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 (Possessing, using, altering, or counterfeiting a retail sales receipt or UPC label — Applies when a person possesses, uses, utters, transfers, makes, alters, counterfeits, or reproduces a retail sales receipt or universal product code label with intent to cheat or defraud a merchant, as described in subsection A paragraph 2.; 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 (Possessing, using, altering, or counterfeiting a retail sales receipt or UPC label — Applies when a person possesses, uses, utters, transfers, makes, alters, counterfeits, or reproduces a retail sales receipt or universal product code label with intent to cheat or defraud a merchant, as described in subsection A paragraph 2.; 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 unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession of fraudulent receipts/UPC labels or device (15+) | Class 5 Felony | Applies when a person possesses at least fifteen fraudulent retail sales receipts or universal product code labels, or a device that manufactures them, with intent to cheat or defraud a merchant, as described in subsection A paragraph 1. | A.R.S. § 13-1817B |
| Possessing, using, altering, or counterfeiting a retail sales receipt or UPC label | Class 6 Felony | Applies when a person possesses, uses, utters, transfers, makes, alters, counterfeits, or reproduces a retail sales receipt or universal product code label with intent to cheat or defraud a merchant, as described in subsection A paragraph 2. | A.R.S. § 13-1817B |
Common questions about unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label in Arizona
Is unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label ranges from a Class 6 Felony to a Class 5 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1817.
Possession of fraudulent receipts/UPC labels or device (15+): Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1817B) · Possessing, using, altering, or counterfeiting a retail sales receipt or UPC label: Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1817B)
What are the penalties for unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label in Arizona?
Penalties for unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label in Arizona depend on how it is classified — from a Class 6 Felony up to a Class 5 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 unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label?
Unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1817 (Unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label; 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.