Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Arizona criminal charge

Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens in Arizona

Current through 2026 Arizona legislative session

Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-2929. 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. § 13-2929.

What is the penalty for unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens in Arizona?

Penalties for Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 6 months (Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens (base offense) — Applies to a violation of this section involving fewer than ten illegal aliens, subject to a fine of at least one thousand dollars.; 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)))discretionaryA.R.S. § 13-707
Fineup to $2,500 (Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens (base offense) — Applies to a violation of this section involving fewer than ten illegal aliens, subject to a fine of at least one thousand dollars.; 13-802(A))discretionaryA.R.S. § 13-707
Jail / prison6 months to 18 months (Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens (ten or more aliens) — Applies when the violation of this section involves ten or more illegal aliens, subject to a fine of at least one thousand dollars per alien involved.; 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)presumptiveA.R.S. § 13-702
Fineup to $150,000 (Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens (ten or more aliens) — Applies when the violation of this section involves ten or more illegal aliens, subject to a fine of at least one thousand dollars per alien involved.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed)discretionaryA.R.S. § 13-702

Applies to current.

How is unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens classified in Arizona?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens (base offense)Class 1 MisdemeanorApplies to a violation of this section involving fewer than ten illegal aliens, subject to a fine of at least one thousand dollars.A.R.S. § 13-2929F
Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens (ten or more aliens)Class 6 FelonyApplies when the violation of this section involves ten or more illegal aliens, subject to a fine of at least one thousand dollars per alien involved.A.R.S. § 13-2929F

Common questions about unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens in Arizona

Is unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?

It depends on the circumstances: unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-2929.

Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens (base offense): Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-2929F) · Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens (ten or more aliens): Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-2929F)

What are the penalties for unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens in Arizona?

Penalties for unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens in Arizona depend on how it is classified — from a Class 1 Misdemeanor up to a Class 6 Felony — with the ranges set by A.R.S. § 13-707 and A.R.S. § 13-702; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Arizona statute covers unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens?

Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens is governed by A.R.S. § 13-2929 (Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens; vehicle impoundment; exception; 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.