ARS 13-1505: Possession of burglary tools
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-1505 on possession of burglary tools, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 6 felony and exposure reaching up to 2 years in prison.
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What the State Must Prove Under § 13-1505
A.R.S. § 13-1505 is the Arizona statute on possession of burglary tools. The statute sets out 2 ways the offense can be committed. A violation is a class 6 felony, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 2 years in prison.
A. A person commits possession of burglary tools by:
- Possessing any explosive, tool, instrument or other article adapted or commonly used for committing any form of burglary as defined in sections 13-1506, 13-1507 and 13-1508 and intending to use or permit the use of such an item in the commission of a burglary.
- Buying, selling, transferring, possessing or using a motor vehicle manipulation key or master key.
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 § 13-1505 Conviction
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. § 13-1505
A. A person commits possession of burglary tools by:
1. Possessing any explosive, tool, instrument or other article adapted or commonly used for committing any form of burglary as defined in sections 13-1506, 13-1507 and 13-1508 and intending to use or permit the use of such an item in the commission of a burglary.
2. Buying, selling, transferring, possessing or using a motor vehicle manipulation key or master key.
B. Subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section does not apply to a person who either:
1. Uses a master key in the course of the person’s lawful business or occupation, including licensed vehicle dealers and manufacturers, key manufacturers who are engaged in the business of designing, making, altering, duplicating or repairing locks or keys, locksmiths, loan institutions that finance vehicles and law enforcement.
2. Transfers, possesses or uses no more than one manipulation key, unless the manipulation key is transferred, possessed or used with the intent to commit any theft or felony.
C. Possession of burglary tools is a class 6 felony.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1505, 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.
- Is Possession of Burglary Tools a Crime? ARS 13-1505
- What Are Burglary Tools Under Arizona Law? ARS 13-1505
- How can a Phoenix Burglary Lawyer Help my Case? [2026]
Related Statutes in Chapter 15 — Criminal Trespass And Burglary
- A.R.S. § 13-1504 — Criminal trespass in the first degree
- A.R.S. § 13-1506 — Burglary in the third degree
- A.R.S. § 13-1503 — Criminal trespass in the second degree
- A.R.S. § 13-1507 — Burglary in the second degree
- A.R.S. § 13-1502 — Criminal trespass in the third degree
- A.R.S. § 13-1508 — Burglary in the first degree
- A.R.S. § 13-1509 — Willful failure to complete or carry an alien registration document
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-1505 Cases
A § 13-1505 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 6 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle possession of burglary tools 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. § 13-1505?
A.R.S. § 13-1505 is the Arizona statute on possession of burglary tools. A violation is a class 6 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-1505 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 6 felony, so the exposure reaches up to 2 years in prison. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the sentence for a class 6 felony in Arizona?
For a first felony conviction that is not dangerous or repetitive, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 6 felony at 4 months to 2 years, with a presumptive term of 1 year. 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 § 13-1505?
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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