ARS 13-2008: Taking the Identity of Another
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-2008 on taking the identity of another, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 4 felony and exposure reaching up to 3.75 years in prison.
Recognized By
As Seen On
Recognized By
Penalties for a § 13-2008 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-2008 is the Arizona statute on taking the identity of another. A violation is a class 4 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 |
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. § 13-2008
A. A person commits taking the identity of another person or entity if the person knowingly takes, purchases, manufactures, records, possesses or uses any personal identifying information or entity identifying information of another person or entity, including a real or fictitious person or entity, without the consent of that other person or entity, with the intent to obtain or use the other person’s or entity’s identity for any unlawful purpose or to cause loss to a person or entity whether or not the person or entity actually suffers any economic loss as a result of the offense, or with the intent to obtain or continue employment.
B. On the request of a person or entity, a peace officer in any jurisdiction in which an element of an offense under this section is committed, a result of an offense under this section occurs or the person or entity whose identity is taken or accepted resides or is located shall take a report. The peace officer may provide a copy of the report to any other law enforcement agency that is located in a jurisdiction in which a violation of this section occurred.
C. If a defendant is alleged to have committed multiple violations of this section within the same county, the prosecutor may file a complaint charging all of the violations and any related charges under other sections that have not been previously filed in any precinct in which a violation is alleged to have occurred. If a defendant is alleged to have committed multiple violations of this section within the state, the prosecutor may file a complaint charging all of the violations and any related charges under other sections that have not been previously filed in any county in which a violation is alleged to have occurred.
D. This section does not apply to a violation of section 4-241 by a person who is under twenty-one years of age.
E. Taking the identity of another person or entity is a class 4 felony.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2008, 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 Identity Theft a Felony in Arizona? (13-2008)
- Identity Theft Lawyer Arizona | A.R.S. 13-2008 Defense
- Falsely Accused of Identity Theft in Arizona? (13-2008)
Related Statutes in Chapter 20 — Forgery And Related Offenses
- A.R.S. § 13-2007 — Unlawful use of slugs
- A.R.S. § 13-2009 — Aggravated taking identity of another person or entity
- A.R.S. § 13-2006 — Criminal impersonation
- A.R.S. § 13-2010 — Trafficking in the identity of another person or entity
- A.R.S. § 13-2005 — Obtaining a signature by deception
- A.R.S. § 13-2011 — Admission tickets
- A.R.S. § 13-2004 — Criminal simulation
- A.R.S. § 13-2003 — Criminal possession of a forgery device
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-2008 Cases
A § 13-2008 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 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle taking the identity of another 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.
Awards & Recognition
Our recognition for Phoenix criminal defense defense is independently verified, click any award to confirm it:
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- Elite Lawyer 2026 – Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers – Southwest
- National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)
When you are looking for the best Phoenix criminal defense lawyers, these are the independently verified credentials that matter, earned by Founding Attorney Michael Tamou and a full team of attorneys, including former prosecutors, public defenders, and law enforcement.
What Clients Say About Tamou Law
Real Google reviews from clients we have defended across Phoenix and Maricopa County. Every review is from a criminal defense client, never padded with non-legal work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-2008?
A.R.S. § 13-2008 is the Arizona statute on taking the identity of another. A violation is a class 4 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-2008 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 4 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 § 13-2008?
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.
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.
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.