ARS 13-2310: Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-2310 on fraudulent schemes and artifices, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 2 felony and exposure reaching up to 12.5 years in prison.
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Penalties for a § 13-2310 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-2310 is the Arizona statute on fraudulent schemes and artifices. A violation is a class 2 felony, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 12.5 years in prison.
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 2 felony | 3 years | 4 years | 5 years | 10 years | 12.5 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. § 13-2310
A. Any person who, pursuant to a scheme or artifice to defraud, knowingly obtains any benefit by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises or material omissions is guilty of a class 2 felony.
B. Reliance on the part of any person shall not be a necessary element of the offense described in subsection A of this section.
C. A person who is convicted of a violation of this section that involved a benefit with a value of one hundred thousand dollars or more or the manufacture, sale or marketing of opioids is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis except pursuant to section 31-233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted.
D. This state shall apply the aggregation prescribed by section 13-1801, subsection B to violations of this section in determining the applicable punishment.
E. For the purposes of this section, “scheme or artifice to defraud” includes a scheme or artifice to deprive a person of the intangible right of honest services.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2310, 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.
- Fraudulent Schemes Lawyer Arizona | A.R.S. 13-2310 Defense
- Healthcare Fraud Lawyer Arizona | AHCCCS Fraud Defense
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Related Statutes in Chapter 23 — Organized Crime, Fraud And Terrorism
- A.R.S. § 13-2309 — Bribery of participants in professional or amateur games, sports, horse races, dog races, contests
- A.R.S. § 13-2311 — Fraudulent schemes and practices
- A.R.S. § 13-2308 — Participating in or assisting a criminal syndicate
- A.R.S. § 13-2308.01 — Terrorism
- A.R.S. § 13-2308.02 — Making a terrorist threat
- A.R.S. § 13-2308.03 — Unlawful use of infectious biological substance or radiological agent
- A.R.S. § 13-2312 — Illegal control of an enterprise
- A.R.S. § 13-2307 — Trafficking in stolen property
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-2310 Cases
A § 13-2310 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 2 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle fraudulent schemes and artifices 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. § 13-2310?
A.R.S. § 13-2310 is the Arizona statute on fraudulent schemes and artifices. A violation is a class 2 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-2310 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 2 felony, so the exposure reaches up to 12.5 years in prison. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the sentence for a class 2 felony in Arizona?
For a first felony conviction that is not dangerous or repetitive, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 2 felony at 3 years to 12.5 years, with a presumptive term of 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 § 13-2310?
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.