Arizona Theft Crime Lawyers
Charged with a theft crime in Arizona, shoplifting, burglary, robbery, or auto theft? Theft (A.R.S. § 13-1802) is graded by dollar value, from a misdemeanor up to a Class 2 felony, and robbery or armed robbery is a dangerous felony with flat-time prison. Intent, value, and consent are often the whole case. Do not talk to police before you call us.
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Our Team Has SeenBoth Sides
Former Prosecutors · Law Enforcement · Public Defenders
When you call Tamou Law Group, you reach a firm that handles criminal defense exclusively, with serious experience defending shoplifting, burglary, robbery, vehicle theft, and stolen-property cases across Arizona. Our team includes former prosecutors who charged theft cases and law enforcement officers who investigated them, so we know how the State builds value and intent, and where those cases break down.
At many large firms, the name on the building is a marketing figurehead, you will rarely get them on the phone and your case is handed to a junior associate. When you hire Tamou Law Group, your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou. Call 623-321-4699 for a free, confidential consultation, 24/7.
What Counts as Theft in Arizona?
Quick answer: In Arizona, theft (A.R.S. § 13-1802) means knowingly taking, controlling, or using someone else’s property or services without authority or through deception. It is a broad umbrella covering shoplifting, burglary, robbery, vehicle theft, organized retail theft, and possession of stolen property. Theft is graded by the dollar value, from a Class 1 misdemeanor under $1,000 up to a Class 2 felony at $25,000 or more; robbery and burglary are graded by the conduct and any weapon. The defense often turns on intent, the value, and consent or a claim of right.
Key Takeaways
- Theft (A.R.S. § 13-1802) is an umbrella offense, taking, controlling, or using property or services without authority or by deception.
- Theft is graded by value, a Class 1 misdemeanor under $1,000 up to a Class 2 felony at $25,000+, so disputing the value can lower the charge.
- Subtypes include shoplifting (13-1805), burglary (13-1506), robbery and armed robbery (13-1902/1904), vehicle theft (13-1814), and organized retail theft (13-1819).
- Robbery and armed robbery are violent “dangerous” felonies (force or a weapon), with flat-time prison, very different from a simple theft.
- A key defense is intent, a good-faith claim of right, a mistake, or the owner’s consent is not theft.
- Diversion and restitution, especially for first-time shoplifting, can keep many cases off your record entirely.
- Your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou, available 24/7 at 623-321-4699.
Recognized By
Value Decides It
Misdemeanor or Felony?
Arizona grades theft by dollar value, and the line between a misdemeanor and a felony can be a few dollars. Disputing the value can drop the charge, and your exposure, dramatically.
Call 623-321-4699 →First Offense?
Keep It Off Your Record
For many first-time theft and shoplifting cases, diversion or restitution can result in a dismissal, no conviction, no record. We push for that outcome from day one.
See the Charges →Force or a Weapon
Robbery or Burglary?
When theft involves force, a threat, or entering a building, it becomes robbery or burglary, a felony, and armed robbery is a dangerous offense with flat-time prison. Call now.
CALL NOWArizona Theft Crimes We Defend
From a shoplifting ticket to armed robbery, choose your charge below for a complete guide, or call us 24/7.
Shoplifting
A.R.S. 13-1805
Taking merchandise from a store. Often a first offense, and frequently eligible for diversion and a dismissal.
Learn More →Burglary
A.R.S. 13-1506 / 1507 / 1508
Entering a structure or home with intent to commit a theft or felony inside, a felony that escalates fast with a weapon.
Learn More →Robbery & Armed Robbery
A.R.S. 13-1902 / 1904
Theft by force or threat, a violent felony; armed robbery is a dangerous offense with flat-time prison.
Learn More →Vehicle & Auto Theft
A.R.S. 13-1814 / 1803
Theft of means of transportation and unlawful use of a vehicle (‘joyriding’), graded by the conduct and value.
Learn More →Organized Retail Theft
A.R.S. 13-1819
Stealing to resell, or with an accomplice, a Class 4 felony even for modest amounts. Charged aggressively.
Learn More →Fraud, Embezzlement & ID Theft
Theft by Deception
Theft accomplished by deception or breach of trust, charged as fraud, embezzlement, or identity theft.
Learn More →Not sure which charge you are facing? Call now for a free, confidential consultation.
CALL 623-321-4699Arizona Theft Law, Charge by Charge
Most theft charges turn on intent and dollar value; robbery and burglary add force or entry. Statutes link to azleg.gov.
Theft, A.R.S. § 13-1802
Arizona’s core theft statute covers knowingly controlling another’s property with intent to deprive, obtaining property or services by deception, converting entrusted property, or controlling stolen property knowing it was stolen. Theft is graded by the value involved, from a Class 1 misdemeanor under $1,000 up to a Class 2 felony at $25,000 or more. Because value drives the felony class, establishing the true value, often lower than alleged, is a central defense.
Shoplifting & Organized Retail Theft, A.R.S. §§ 13-1805, 13-1819
Shoplifting is taking store merchandise with intent to avoid paying. It is usually a misdemeanor, but becomes a felony with prior theft convictions, use of an artifice or device, or higher value. Organized retail theft (13-1819), stealing to resell or acting with an accomplice, is a Class 4 felony even for modest amounts. First-time shoplifting is frequently eligible for diversion and dismissal.
Burglary, A.R.S. §§ 13-1506, 13-1507, 13-1508
Burglary is entering or remaining in a structure with intent to commit a theft or any felony inside, no actual theft is required. Third-degree (a nonresidential structure or fenced yard) is a Class 4 felony; second-degree (a residence) is a Class 3; first-degree (while armed with a deadly weapon) is a Class 2 or 3 felony and a dangerous offense.
Robbery, Aggravated & Armed Robbery, A.R.S. §§ 13-1902, 13-1903, 13-1904
Robbery is theft accomplished by force or the threat of force, a Class 4 felony. It becomes aggravated robbery (with an accomplice) or armed robbery (with a deadly weapon or simulated weapon), a Class 2 dangerous felony carrying flat-time prison. These are violent offenses, defended very differently from a simple theft.
Vehicle Theft & Stolen Property, A.R.S. §§ 13-1814, 13-1803
Theft of means of transportation (13-1814) is a Class 3 felony; unlawful use of means of transportation (“joyriding,” 13-1803) is a lesser charge for using a vehicle without intent to permanently deprive. Knowingly possessing or controlling stolen property is charged as theft under 13-1802, where the State must prove you knew the property was stolen, often the weakest link.
How Value Sets the Theft Charge
For most theft offenses, the amount involved determines the felony class, and the felony class determines your exposure. Establishing the true value is a core defense goal.
| Value Involved | Offense Level | Felony Class | First-Offense Range* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | Misdemeanor | Class 1 Misd. | Up to 6 months jail |
| $1,000 – $2,000 | Felony | Class 6 | 4 mo – 2 years |
| $2,000 – $3,000 | Felony | Class 5 | 6 mo – 2.5 years |
| $3,000 – $4,000 | Felony | Class 4 | 1 – 3.75 years |
| $4,000 – $25,000 | Felony | Class 3 | 2 – 8.75 years |
| $25,000 or more | Felony | Class 2 | 3 – 12.5 years |
*Ranges are for a first offense and vary with priors. Note: a vehicle, a firearm, or an animal can make theft a felony regardless of value, and robbery and burglary are graded by conduct, not value.
Penalties for Theft Crimes in Arizona
Theft penalties run from a fine and diversion to over a decade in prison, driven by the value and the type of theft. For first offenses, diversion and restitution often avoid a conviction.
Misd. / Class 4–6
Shoplifting / Lower-Value Theft
Class 2–3
High-Value / Burglary
Class 2 Dangerous
Armed Robbery
⚠ Value and Priors Change Everything
A few dollars can move theft from a misdemeanor to a felony, and prior theft convictions raise the class further. Beyond jail or prison, a theft conviction means mandatory restitution, a “crime of dishonesty” on your record that employers and licensing boards weigh heavily, and immigration consequences for non-citizens, which is why keeping the conviction off your record matters so much.
Common Defenses in Arizona Theft Cases
Theft requires a knowing intent to deprive. Intent, value, and identity are each a place to fight.
Attacking Intent & the Charge
No Intent to Steal. A genuine mistake, forgetting to scan an item, or absent-mindedly walking out, is not theft, which requires a knowing intent to deprive.
Claim of Right. If you took property you reasonably believed was yours or that you were entitled to, there is no theft.
Owner’s Consent. Where you had permission to use or take the property, the State cannot prove it was taken without authority.
Value Disputes. Because value sets the felony class, establishing a lower true value, retail markup, condition, or sale price, can drop the charge to a misdemeanor.
Attacking the Evidence
No Knowledge (Stolen Property). For possession of stolen property, the State must prove you knew it was stolen, which is often impossible to show.
Mistaken Identity. Surveillance footage is grainy and eyewitnesses are unreliable; we challenge whether you are even the person involved.
Mere Presence. Being near a theft, or with someone who stole, is not enough, the State must tie you to the act and the intent.
Unlawful Stop, Search & Detention. Evidence from an unlawful loss-prevention detention or police search can be suppressed.
Diversion Eligibility. For many first-time cases, we secure entry into a diversion program that ends in dismissal, no conviction, no record.
After reviewing your case, we will explain which defenses apply and the best path forward.
CALL 623-321-4699The Experts We Bring to the Table
Theft cases are built on video, valuations, and loss-prevention reports. We bring the specialists who take them apart.
Video & Surveillance Analysts
What the Footage Shows
Recover and analyze store and police video that often fails to show intent, or shows it was someone else entirely.
Valuation Experts
Disputing the Value
Establish the true value of the property, condition, markdowns, and fair market value, which can drop the felony class or make it a misdemeanor.
Eyewitness-ID Experts
Identification
Expose the unreliability of loss-prevention and eyewitness identifications, especially from poor-quality footage.
Digital Forensics Experts
Devices & Online Sales
In organized-retail and online cases, examine the digital evidence and whether it actually ties you to the conduct.
Loss-Prevention & Records Analysts
Reports & Procedure
Scrutinize the store’s loss-prevention report, detention, and inventory records for errors and improper procedure.
Mitigation Specialists
Diversion & Record Protection
Build the case for diversion, restitution, and a resolution that keeps a theft, a crime of dishonesty, off your permanent record.
Our Theft-Crime Defense Process
From a shoplifting citation to armed robbery, the same disciplined process, attack intent and value, and protect your record.
Pull the Video & Reports
We secure store surveillance, body-cam, and the loss-prevention report before they are overwritten, the evidence that often does not show what the State claims.
Attack Intent
Theft requires a knowing intent to deprive. We build the record for mistake, claim of right, or consent, where the State’s case is weakest.
Dispute the Value
Because value sets the felony class, we challenge inflated retail valuations to drop a felony to a misdemeanor, or below the next threshold.
Pursue Diversion & Restitution
For eligible cases, we push for a diversion program or restitution-based resolution that ends in dismissal, no conviction.
Challenge ID & the Stop
We test eyewitness and video identification and the legality of any detention or search, which can suppress the case.
Reduce, Dismiss, or Try It
We prepare every case for trial. That readiness is what gives our negotiations leverage and protects your record.
Areas We Serve
Tamou Law Group defends theft and property-crime cases across Maricopa County and all of Arizona.
We represent clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Avondale, and throughout Maricopa County, with representation available statewide. Call 623-321-4699 for a free, confidential consultation, 24/7.
A Full Team of Attorneys, Not Associates
The single biggest factor in your defense is who actually handles your case, and how hard they fight it.
At many large firms, the name on the building is a marketing figurehead. You may never get them on the phone, and your case is handed to a rotating junior associate who has never tried a case like yours. At Tamou Law Group, your defense is handled by a full team of experienced attorneys, not junior associates, including founding attorney Michael Tamou. The same senior team handles your calls, your strategy, and your court dates.
Our reputation is built on results and on our clients’ words, a 5.0-star Google rating from people we have actually defended. Read them in the reviews below.
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.
Clients reach us searching in many ways, for the best theft lawyer in Arizona, for a shoplifting or burglary defense attorney, or for help with a robbery or vehicle theft charge. However you found us, Tamou Law Group defends theft and property-crime cases across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, and all of Maricopa County, with representation statewide. Call 623-321-4699 for a free, confidential consultation, 24/7.
Arizona Theft Crime FAQs
Common questions about theft, shoplifting, burglary, robbery, penalties, and defenses in Arizona.
What is considered theft in Arizona?
Theft (A.R.S. 13-1802) is knowingly taking, controlling, or using someone else’s property or services without authority or by deception, or knowingly possessing stolen property. It is an umbrella that includes shoplifting, burglary, robbery, vehicle theft, and more.
Is theft a felony or misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the value. Theft under $1,000 is a Class 1 misdemeanor; from $1,000 it becomes a felony, rising to a Class 2 felony at $25,000 or more. Certain property, like a vehicle, a firearm, or an animal, makes it a felony regardless of value.
What is the difference between theft, burglary, and robbery?
Theft is taking property. Burglary (13-1506) is entering a building or area with intent to commit a theft or felony inside, no taking required. Robbery (13-1902) is taking property by force or threat, a violent felony, and armed robbery (13-1904) involves a weapon.
Can a first-time shoplifting charge be dismissed?
Often, yes. Many first-time shoplifting and low-level theft cases are eligible for a diversion program or a restitution-based resolution that ends in dismissal, with no conviction and no criminal record.
How does the value of the property affect the charge?
Value sets the felony class for most theft, so it drives your entire exposure. Because retail and alleged values are frequently inflated, establishing the true value, condition, markdowns, fair market value, can drop a felony to a misdemeanor.
What is organized retail theft?
Organized retail theft (A.R.S. 13-1819) is stealing merchandise with the intent to resell it, or working with one or more other people to steal. It is a Class 4 felony even for relatively modest amounts and is charged aggressively.
Is auto theft a serious charge in Arizona?
Yes. Theft of means of transportation (13-1814) is a Class 3 felony. A lesser charge, unlawful use of means of transportation, or ‘joyriding’ (13-1803), applies when there was no intent to permanently keep the vehicle.
What are the best defenses to a theft charge?
Lack of intent to steal, a good-faith claim of right, the owner’s consent, mistaken identity, mere presence, disputing the value, lack of knowledge that property was stolen, and challenging an unlawful detention or search.
Will a theft conviction hurt my job or immigration status?
Significantly. Theft is a ‘crime of dishonesty’ that employers and licensing boards weigh heavily, it can appear on background checks for years, and it can carry serious immigration consequences for non-citizens. Avoiding the conviction is often the priority.
Should I talk to store loss prevention or police?
No. Do not explain or apologize to loss prevention or police, and ask for a lawyer. Statements and ‘civil demand’ letters are used against you, an attorney should handle all communication.
Will I get a real attorney or a junior associate?
At many large firms the name on the door is a marketing figurehead and your case goes to a rotating associate. At Tamou Law Group your defense is handled by a full team of experienced attorneys, not associates, including founding attorney Michael Tamou. Call 623-321-4699, 24/7.
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.