ARS 13-1820: Theft of trade secrets
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-1820 on theft of trade secrets, 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 § 13-1820
A.R.S. § 13-1820 is the Arizona statute on theft of trade secrets. 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. A person commits theft of trade secrets if, with the intent to deprive or withhold the exclusive control of a trade secret from its owner or with the intent to make any use of a trade secret, the person does any of the following:
- Takes, transmits, exhibits, conveys, alters, destroys, conceals or uses a trade secret without the permission of the owner.
- Makes or causes to be made a copy of a trade secret without the permission of the owner.
- Receives, purchases or possesses a trade secret, knowing that the trade secret has been obtained by means described in paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection.
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 § 13-1820 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. § 13-1820
A. A person commits theft of trade secrets if, with the intent to deprive or withhold the exclusive control of a trade secret from its owner or with the intent to make any use of a trade secret, the person does any of the following:
1. Takes, transmits, exhibits, conveys, alters, destroys, conceals or uses a trade secret without the permission of the owner.
2. Makes or causes to be made a copy of a trade secret without the permission of the owner.
3. Receives, purchases or possesses a trade secret, knowing that the trade secret has been obtained by means described in paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection.
B. It is not a defense to a prosecution for theft of trade secrets that the person charged returned or intended to return the trade secret that was stolen, copied or obtained from another.
C. A violation of this section is a class 5 felony.
D. For the purposes of this section, “trade secrets” means information, without regard to form, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, plan, drawing, design or process that both:
1. Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.
2. Is the subject of efforts to maintain its secrecy that are reasonable under the circumstances.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1820, 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.
Related Statutes in Chapter 18 — Theft
- A.R.S. § 13-1819 — Organized retail theft
- A.R.S. § 13-1818 — Misappropriation of charter school monies
- A.R.S. § 13-1817 — Unlawful possession, use or alteration of a retail sales receipt or universal product code label
- A.R.S. § 13-1816 — Unlawful use, possession or removal of theft detection shielding devices
- A.R.S. § 13-1814 — Theft of means of transportation
- A.R.S. § 13-1813 — Gift card theft
- A.R.S. § 13-1807 — Issuing a bad check
- A.R.S. § 13-1806 — Unlawful failure to return rented or leased property
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-1820 Cases
A § 13-1820 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 theft of trade secrets 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. § 13-1820?
A.R.S. § 13-1820 is the Arizona statute on theft of trade secrets. 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 § 13-1820 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 § 13-1820?
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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