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Arizona statute

A.R.S. § 13-4702 — Conducting a chop shop; exception; violation; classification

Current through 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Part of Chapter 43: Motor Vehicle Chop Shops, Arizona Revised Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of A.R.S. § 13-4702

Statutory text current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text published by the Arizona Legislature (Arizona Legislative Council compilation, azleg.gov); it is not the official statutes of the State of Arizona.

A.R.S. § 13-4702Primary source, current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)
A. A person shall not knowingly: 1. Own or operate a chop shop. 2. Transport a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part to or from a chop shop. 3. Sell or transfer to or purchase or receive from a chop shop a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part. 4. Remove, destroy, deface or otherwise alter a vehicle identification number with the intent to misrepresent or prevent the identification of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part. 5. Buy, sell, transfer or possess a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that the motor vehicle identification number, which was placed on the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part by the manufacturer, has been removed, destroyed, defaced or otherwise altered. B. This section does not apply to law enforcement authorities and lawful owners acting in good faith, towing companies or scrap processors, licensed automotive recyclers and other businesses acting in good faith and in the normal course of business and in conformance with all applicable laws. C. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section is guilty of a class 2 felony. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 2, 3, 4 or 5 of this section is guilty of a class 4 felony.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is conducting a chop shop a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?

It depends on the circumstances: conducting a chop shop ranges from a Class 4 Felony to a Class 2 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-4702.

Owning or operating a chop shop: Class 2 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-4702C) · Transporting, selling, transferring, purchasing, altering VIN, or possessing altered VIN motor vehicles/parts related to chop shops: Class 4 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-4702C)

Which Arizona statute covers conducting a chop shop?

Conducting a chop shop is governed by A.R.S. § 13-4702 (Conducting a chop shop; exception; violation; classification).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.