Arizona criminal charge
Unlawful use of means of transportation in Arizona
Unlawful use of means of transportation is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-1803. 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. § 13-1803.
What is the penalty for unlawful use of means of transportation in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 9 months to 24 months (Unauthorized control over means of transportation — Applies when a person knowingly takes unauthorized control over another person's means of transportation without intent to permanently deprive.; 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 (Unauthorized control over means of transportation — Applies when a person knowingly takes unauthorized control over another person's means of transportation without intent to permanently deprive.; 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 (Knowingly transported in unlawfully possessed vehicle — Applies when a person knowingly is transported or physically located in a vehicle known or reasonably known to be unlawfully possessed by another under A.1 or § 13-1814.; 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 (Knowingly transported in unlawfully possessed vehicle — Applies when a person knowingly is transported or physically located in a vehicle known or reasonably known to be unlawfully possessed by another under A.1 or § 13-1814.; 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 use of means of transportation classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized control over means of transportation | Class 5 Felony | Applies when a person knowingly takes unauthorized control over another person's means of transportation without intent to permanently deprive. | A.R.S. § 13-1803B |
| Knowingly transported in unlawfully possessed vehicle | Class 6 Felony | Applies when a person knowingly is transported or physically located in a vehicle known or reasonably known to be unlawfully possessed by another under A.1 or § 13-1814. | A.R.S. § 13-1803C |
Common questions about unlawful use of means of transportation in Arizona
Is unlawful use of means of transportation a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful use of means of transportation ranges from a Class 6 Felony to a Class 5 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1803.
Unauthorized control over means of transportation: Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1803B) · Knowingly transported in unlawfully possessed vehicle: Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1803C)
What are the penalties for unlawful use of means of transportation in Arizona?
Penalties for unlawful use of means of transportation 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 use of means of transportation?
Unlawful use of means of transportation is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1803 (Unlawful use of means of transportation; 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.