ARS 13-3710: Obtaining subscription television services

What the State Must Prove Under § 13-3710

A. A person who for profit does either of the following is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor:

1. Knowingly attaches or causes to be attached any device or devices to a television set, videotape recorder or other equipment intended to receive television transmissions or incorporates or causes to be incorporated any device into a television set, videotape recorder or other equipment intended to receive television transmissions for the purpose of intercepting or decoding any transmission by a duly licensed over-the-air subscription television service which the person is not authorized by the subscription television service to receive and decode.
2. Manufactures, distributes or sells any device, plan or kit for a device capable of intercepting or decoding transmissions by a duly licensed over-the-air subscription television service, with the intention that such device, plan or kit be used for such intercepting or decoding, unless authorized by the over-the-air subscription television service.

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 § 13-3710 Conviction

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. § 13-3710

Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3710, 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.

Related Statutes in Chapter 37 — Miscellaneous Offenses

• A.R.S. § 13-3709 — Obtaining cable television and video services fraudulently
• A.R.S. § 13-3711 — Unlawful commercial use of cigarette machines
• A.R.S. § 13-3708 — Sale or transfer of motor vehicle
• A.R.S. § 13-3712 — Interruption of or injury to cable television and video systems
• A.R.S. § 13-3707 — Telecommunication fraud
• A.R.S. § 13-3713 — Consideration for referral of patient, client or customer
• A.R.S. § 13-3706 — Failure to procure or exhibit a business license
• A.R.S. § 13-3714 — Aggravated or multiple violations of insurance code

How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-3710 Cases

A § 13-3710 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 obtaining subscription television services 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.