ARS 13-2311: Fraudulent schemes and practices
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-2311 on fraudulent schemes and practices, 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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Penalties for a § 13-2311 Conviction
A.R.S. § 13-2311 is the Arizona statute on fraudulent schemes and practices. 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.
| 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. § 13-2311
A. Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, in any matter related to the business conducted by any department or agency of this state or any political subdivision thereof, any person who, pursuant to a scheme or artifice to defraud or deceive, knowingly falsifies, conceals or covers up a material fact by any trick, scheme or device or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing such writing or document contains any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry is guilty of a class 5 felony.
B. For the purposes of this section, “agency” includes a public agency as defined by section 38-502, paragraph 6.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2311, 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.
Related Statutes in Chapter 23 — Organized Crime, Fraud And Terrorism
- A.R.S. § 13-2310 — Fraudulent schemes and artifices
- A.R.S. § 13-2312 — Illegal control of an enterprise
- A.R.S. § 13-2309 — Bribery of participants in professional or amateur games, sports, horse races, dog races, contests
- 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. § 13-2307 — Trafficking in stolen property
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-2311 Cases
A § 13-2311 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 fraudulent schemes and practices 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. § 13-2311?
A.R.S. § 13-2311 is the Arizona statute on fraudulent schemes and practices. 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 § 13-2311 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 § 13-2311?
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.