ARS 13-2411: Impersonating a peace officer
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-2411 on impersonating a peace officer, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 4 through 6 felony and exposure reaching up to 3.75 years in prison.
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Penalties for a § 13-2411 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-2411 is the Arizona statute on impersonating a peace officer. A violation is a class 4 through 6 felony, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 3.75 years in prison.
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 4 felony | 1 year | 1.5 years | 2.5 years | 3 years | 3.75 years |
| Class 6 felony | 4 months | 6 months | 1 year | 1.5 years | 2 years |
Felony ranges are set by A.R.S. § 13-702(D) and apply to a first felony conviction that is not dangerous and not repetitive. A dangerous offense (§ 13-704), a repetitive offense (§ 13-703) or a dangerous crime against children (§ 13-705) carries a longer range, and some carry mandatory prison with no probation. Misdemeanor maximums come from §§ 13-707 and 13-802; surcharges are added on top of every fine.
Full Text of A.R.S. § 13-2411
A. A person commits impersonating a peace officer if the person, without lawful authority, pretends to be a peace officer and engages in any conduct with the intent to induce another to submit to the person’s pretended authority or to rely on the person’s pretended acts.
B. It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the law enforcement agency the person pretended to represent did not in fact exist or that the law enforcement agency the person pretended to represent did not in fact possess the authority claimed for it.
C. Impersonating a peace officer is a class 6 felony, except that impersonating a peace officer during the commission of any of the following felonies is a class 4 felony:
1. Negligent homicide.
2. Manslaughter.
3. First degree murder.
4. Second degree murder.
5. Assault.
6. Aggravated assault.
7. Sexual assault.
8. Violent sexual assault.
9. Sexual abuse.
10. Unlawfully administering intoxicating liquors, narcotic drugs or dangerous drugs.
11. Attack by a person’s vicious animal as prescribed in section 13-1208.
12. Drive by shooting.
13. Discharging a firearm at a structure.
14. Aggravated criminal damage.
15. Theft.
16. Theft by extortion.
17. Theft of a credit card or obtaining a credit card by fraudulent means.
18. Misconduct involving weapons.
19. Misconduct involving explosives.
20. Depositing explosives.
21. Procuring or placing persons in a house of prostitution.
22. Dangerous crimes against children as prescribed in section 13-705.
23. Burglary.
24. Arson.
25. Kidnapping.
26. Robbery.
D. For the purposes of this section, “peace officer” has the same meaning prescribed in section 1-215 and includes any federal law enforcement officer or agent who has the power to make arrests pursuant to federal law.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2411, Arizona Legislative Council revision of 09/19/25. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.
Our Guides on This Charge
Written by our defense team on how these cases run in Arizona courts.
Related Statutes in Chapter 24 — Obstruction Of Public Administration
- A.R.S. § 13-2410 — Obstructing officer from collecting public money
- A.R.S. § 13-2412 — Refusing to provide truthful name when lawfully detained
- A.R.S. § 13-2409 — Obstructing criminal investigations or prosecutions
- A.R.S. § 13-2413 — Interfering with a crime scene investigation
- A.R.S. § 13-2408 — Securing the proceeds of an offense
- A.R.S. § 13-2414 — Impersonating a veteran
- A.R.S. § 13-2407 — Tampering with a public record
- A.R.S. § 13-2406 — Impersonating a public servant
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-2411 Cases
A § 13-2411 case is decided by the paragraph the State charged, not by the statute as a whole. We start with the charging document and the disclosure, identify which subsection the prosecutor has to prove, and test whether the evidence actually reaches every element of it. Where the class turns on a fact such as value, an alleged injury, a prior conviction or the identity of the person involved, that fact is frequently the difference between a class 4 through 6 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle impersonating a peace officer cases across Maricopa County and statewide, from our Scottsdale and Phoenix offices. Call 623-321-4699 any time, or read the statute in full above before you speak to anyone about the case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-2411?
A.R.S. § 13-2411 is the Arizona statute on impersonating a peace officer. A violation is a class 4 through 6 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-2411 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 4 through 6 felony, so the exposure reaches up to 3.75 years in prison. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the sentence for a class 4 felony in Arizona?
For a first felony conviction that is not dangerous or repetitive, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 4 felony at 1 year to 3.75 years, with a presumptive term of 2.5 years. Dangerous, repetitive and dangerous-crimes-against-children sentencing under 13-703, 13-704 and 13-705 runs longer.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-2411?
The Arizona Legislature publishes it at azleg.gov, in the revision dated 09/19/25. The complete text is reproduced on this page, and every Arizona criminal statute is searchable on our Arizona Criminal Code index.
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Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.