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ARS 13-3555: Portraying adult as minor

ARS 13-3555: Portraying adult as minor

Michael Tamou, Arizona criminal defense attorney

Michael Tamou

Founding Attorney · Sex Crime Defense

5.0 · Sex Crime Defense

The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-3555 on portraying adult as minor, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 1 misdemeanor and exposure reaching up to 6 months in jail.

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Michael Tamou, Arizona criminal defense attorney

Michael Tamou

Founding Attorney · Sex Crime Defense

★★★★★ 5.0 · Sex Crime Defense

Written and legally reviewed by Michael Tamou, Founding Attorney of Tamou Law Group, PLLC. Last updated September 4, 2026.

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Recognized By

NTL Top 100 Trial LawyersNTL Top 40 Under 40 Trial LawyersElite Lawyer 2026 Criminal DefenseNational College For DUI DefenseDUI Defense Lawyers Association2027 Southwest Super Lawyers

Penalties for a § 13-3555 Conviction

A.R.S. § 13-3555 is the Arizona statute on portraying adult as minor. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 6 months in jail.

ClassMaximum jailMaximum fine
Class 1 misdemeanor6 months$2,500

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. § 13-3555

A. It is unlawful for any person depicted in a visual depiction or live act as a participant in any exploitive exhibition or sexual conduct to masquerade as a minor.

B. It is unlawful for any person knowingly to produce, record, film, photograph, develop, duplicate, distribute, transport, exhibit, electronically transmit, sell, purchase or exchange any visual depiction whose text, title or visual representation depicts a participant in any exploitive exhibition or sexual conduct as a minor even though any such participant is an adult.

C. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3555, as published by the Arizona Legislature. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.

How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-3555 Cases

A § 13-3555 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 1 misdemeanor and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.

We handle portraying adult as minor 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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When you are looking for the best Phoenix sex crime 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.

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A.R.S. § 13-3555?

A.R.S. § 13-3555 is the Arizona statute on portraying adult as minor. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.

Is a violation of § 13-3555 a felony in Arizona?

No. Under the statute a violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, so the exposure reaches up to 6 months in jail. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.

What is the maximum penalty for a class 1 misdemeanor?

A.R.S. 13-707 caps jail at 6 months for a class 1 misdemeanor and A.R.S. 13-802 caps the fine at $2,500, before surcharges. A judge may also impose probation and other conditions.

Where can I read the official text of § 13-3555?

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.

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