ARS 13-2006: Criminal impersonation
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-2006 on criminal impersonation, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 5 through 6 felony and exposure reaching up to 2.5 years in prison.
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What the State Must Prove Under § 13-2006
A.R.S. § 13-2006 is the Arizona statute on criminal impersonation. The statute sets out 4 ways the offense can be committed. A violation is a class 5 through 6 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 criminal impersonation by:
- Assuming a false identity with the intent to defraud another; or
- Pretending to be a representative of some person or organization with the intent to defraud; or
- Pretending to be, or assuming a false identity of, an employee or a representative of some person or organization with the intent to induce another person to provide or allow access to property. This paragraph does not apply to peace officers in the performance of their duties; or
- Using a computer-generated voice recording, image or video of another person with the intent to defraud other persons. For the purposes of this paragraph, “defraud” means to make a false representation or material omission to deceive another person to gain a benefit.
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 § 13-2006 Conviction
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 5 felony | 6 months | 9 months | 1.5 years | 2 years | 2.5 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. § 13-2006
A. A person commits criminal impersonation by:
1. Assuming a false identity with the intent to defraud another; or
2. Pretending to be a representative of some person or organization with the intent to defraud; or
3. Pretending to be, or assuming a false identity of, an employee or a representative of some person or organization with the intent to induce another person to provide or allow access to property. This paragraph does not apply to peace officers in the performance of their duties; or
4. Using a computer-generated voice recording, image or video of another person with the intent to defraud other persons. For the purposes of this paragraph, “defraud” means to make a false representation or material omission to deceive another person to gain a benefit.
B. For the purposes of this section, comedy, parody, artistic expression, criticism or circumstances where it is clear to a reasonable listener or viewer that the recording, image or video has been digitally manipulated are not fraudulent.
C. Criminal impersonation under subsection A, paragraph 4 of this section is a class 5 felony. Criminal impersonation under subsection A, paragraph 1, 2 or 3 of this section is a class 6 felony.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2006, 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 Criminal Impersonation a Felony in Arizona? ARS 13-2006
- Day 53: Criminal Impersonation in Arizona: Know the Law
Related Statutes in Chapter 20 — Forgery And Related Offenses
- A.R.S. § 13-2005 — Obtaining a signature by deception
- A.R.S. § 13-2007 — Unlawful use of slugs
- A.R.S. § 13-2004 — Criminal simulation
- A.R.S. § 13-2008 — Taking identity of another person or entity
- A.R.S. § 13-2003 — Criminal possession of a forgery device
- A.R.S. § 13-2009 — Aggravated taking identity of another person or entity
- A.R.S. § 13-2002 — Forgery
- A.R.S. § 13-2010 — Trafficking in the identity of another person or entity
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-2006 Cases
A § 13-2006 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 through 6 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle criminal impersonation 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. § 13-2006?
A.R.S. § 13-2006 is the Arizona statute on criminal impersonation. A violation is a class 5 through 6 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-2006 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 5 through 6 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 § 13-2006?
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.