ARS 13-1425: Unlawful Disclosure of Intimate Images
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-1425 on unlawful disclosure of intimate images, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 5 felony and exposure reaching up to 2.5 years in prison.
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What the State Must Prove Under § 13-1425
A.R.S. § 13-1425 is the Arizona statute on unlawful disclosure of intimate images. The statute sets out 3 ways the offense can be committed. A violation is a class 5 felony, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 2.5 years in prison.
A. It is unlawful for a person to intentionally disclose an image of another person who is identifiable from the image itself or from information displayed in connection with the image if all of the following apply:
- The person in the image is depicted in a state of nudity or is engaged in specific sexual activities.
- The depicted person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Evidence that a person has sent an image to another person using an electronic device does not, on its own, remove the person’s reasonable expectation of privacy for that image. Unless the realistic pictorial representation is created or modified by the depicted person, this paragraph does not apply to an image that is a realistic pictorial representation.
- The image is disclosed with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce the depicted person.
The State must prove every element of the paragraph it actually charged, beyond a reasonable doubt. Which paragraph appears on the complaint decides what the case is about, and it is the first thing to check.
Penalties for a § 13-1425 Conviction
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 5 felony | 6 months | 9 months | 1.5 years | 2 years | 2.5 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. § 13-1425
A. It is unlawful for a person to intentionally disclose an image of another person who is identifiable from the image itself or from information displayed in connection with the image if all of the following apply:
1. The person in the image is depicted in a state of nudity or is engaged in specific sexual activities.
2. The depicted person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Evidence that a person has sent an image to another person using an electronic device does not, on its own, remove the person’s reasonable expectation of privacy for that image. Unless the realistic pictorial representation is created or modified by the depicted person, this paragraph does not apply to an image that is a realistic pictorial representation.
3. The image is disclosed with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce the depicted person.
B. This section does not apply to any of the following:
1. The reporting of unlawful conduct.
2. Lawful and common practices of law enforcement, criminal reporting, legal proceedings or medical treatment.
3. Images involving voluntary exposure in a public or commercial setting.
4. An interactive computer service, as defined in 47 United States Code section 230(f)(2), or an information service or cable service, as defined in 47 United States Code section 153, with regard to content wholly provided by another party.
5. Any disclosure that is made with the consent of the person who is depicted in the image.
C. A violation of this section is a class 5 felony, except that a violation of this section is a:
1. Class 4 felony if the image is disclosed by electronic means.
2. Class 1 misdemeanor if a person threatens to disclose but does not disclose an image that if disclosed would be a violation of this section or if the image is a realistic pictorial representation.
D. For the purposes of this section:
1. “Disclose” means display, distribute, publish, advertise or offer.
2. “Disclosed by electronic means” means delivery to an email address, mobile device, tablet or other electronic device and includes disclosure on a website.
3. “Harm” means physical injury, financial injury or serious emotional distress.
4. “Image” means a photograph, videotape, film, digital recording or realistic pictorial representation.
5. “Realistic pictorial representation”:
(a) Means an image that is created or modified to reasonably appear to be an actual image of an identifiable person depicted in a state of nudity or engaged in specific sexual activities that did not actually occur.
(b) Does not include an image made in the public interest, including scientific or educational activities, a newsworthy event or an issue of public concern.
6. “Reasonable expectation of privacy” means the person exhibits an actual expectation of privacy and the expectation is reasonable.
7. “Specific sexual activities” has the same meaning prescribed in section 11-811, subsection E, paragraph 18, subdivisions (a) and (b).
8. “State of nudity” has the same meaning prescribed in section 11-811, subsection E, paragraph 14, subdivision (a).
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1425, 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.
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Related Statutes in Chapter 14 — Sexual Offenses
- A.R.S. § 13-1424 — Voyeurism
- A.R.S. § 13-1422 — Adult oriented businesses
- A.R.S. § 13-1428 — Sexual extortion
- A.R.S. § 13-1429 — Possessing, trafficking or importing a child sex doll
- A.R.S. § 13-1430 — Child enticement
- A.R.S. § 13-1419 — Unlawful sexual conduct
- A.R.S. § 13-1418 — Sexual misconduct
- A.R.S. § 13-1417 — Continuous sexual abuse of a child
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-1425 Cases
A § 13-1425 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 5 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle unlawful disclosure of intimate images 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. § 13-1425?
A.R.S. § 13-1425 is the Arizona statute on unlawful disclosure of intimate images. A violation is a class 5 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-1425 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 5 felony, so the exposure reaches up to 2.5 years in prison. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the sentence for a class 5 felony in Arizona?
For a first felony conviction that is not dangerous or repetitive, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 5 felony at 6 months to 2.5 years, with a presumptive term of 1.5 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 § 13-1425?
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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