Arizona Felony and Misdemeanor Theft

Stealing, embezzling, shoplifting, or scamming people out of property or money can quickly land a person with felony charges in Arizona. Learn how Arizona classifies and punishes theft offenses.

How Arizona Law Defines and Classifies Theft Crimes

In Arizona, a person commits theft by knowingly taking or converting another's property or services without authorization and with intent to deprive that person of their property or services. Theft can occur by a physical action, misrepresentation, embezzlement, or deceit. For instance, it's theft to steal someone's wallet or car, trick or scam someone to send money, or accept services but not pay for them. It's also theft to accept stolen property or take control of lost property without using reasonable efforts to notify the true owner.

Similar to other states, Arizona classifies theft offenses by the value of the property or services stolen, and in some cases, the type of property stolen (regardless of its value). Arizona law divides theft offenses into six offense levels, ranging from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 2 felony.

What Are the Penalties for Misdemeanor Theft in Arizona?

The theft of any property or services valued at less than $1,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor, which is the lowest-level theft offense under Arizona law (sometimes known as "petty theft").

A person convicted of a class 1 misdemeanor faces up to six months of jail time and a fine of not more than $2,500. However, if it's the person's second conviction for misdemeanor theft in two years, the penalty increases to a class 6 felony sentence.

What Are the Penalties for Felony Theft in Arizona?

The threshold for felony theft in Arizona is only $1,000. A person will face felony charges for stealing property or services valued over that amount. Stealing certain items (regardless of value) will also subject a person to felony charges. In addition to the possible prison sentences listed below, judges can impose a fine of up to $150,000 for any felony level.

Class 6 Felony Theft

If the theft involved property or services valued at $1,000 or more but less than $2,000, the offense is a class 6 felony in Arizona. It's also considered a class 6 felony to steal a firearm or animal for purposes of fighting the animal, even if the value is less than $1,000. A class 6 felony carries a presumptive sentence of one year for a first offense and a maximum sentence of five years and nine months for a repeat offender.

Class 5 Felony Theft

Theft of property or services valued at $2,000 or more but less than $3,000 is a class 5 felony. A person convicted of a class 5 felony faces a presumptive sentence of one and a half years for a first offense and a maximum sentence of 7½ years.

Class 4 Felony Theft

Theft of property or services valued at $3,000 or more but less than $4,000 is a class 4 felony. It's also a class 4 felony to steal a vehicle engine or transmission, regardless of its value. A class 4 felony in Arizona carries a presumptive sentence of 2½ years for a first felony and a maximum sentence of 15 years.

Class 3 Felony Theft

Theft of property or services with a value of $4,000 or more but less than $25,000 is a class 3 felony in Arizona. The presumptive sentence for a first-time felon is 3½ years. The maximum sentence is 25 years.

Class 2 Felony Theft

Theft of property or services with a value of $25,000 or more is a class 2 felony under Arizona law. A conviction for a class 2 felony carries a 5-year presumptive sentence for a first offense and a maximum sentence of 35 years. If the amount stolen is valued at more than $100,000, the person is ineligible for a suspended sentence, probation, pardon, or early release.

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-702 to -707, 13-801 to -804, 13-1802 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Shoplifting in Arizona?

Stealing merchandise from a store can result in criminal and civil penalties. Civil penalties are meant to deter shoplifters and compensate store owners for the costs incurred to prevent and "prosecute" (sue) shoplifters.

Defining Shoplifting

Shoplifting involves stealing items from a store without paying for them. But it's also considered shoplifting to do any of the following:

• conceal items in an attempt to steal them (even the person doesn't make it out of the store)
• pay less than the purchase price by switching tags, transferring items to a different container, or using other methods to deprive the merchant of the actual retail price
• use a device to prevent detection by anti-theft alarms (such as a coated bag)
• remove a theft detection device or tag from a product, or
• present a fraudulent sale receipt or UPC label to cheat a merchant.

If a shoplifter intends to resell the items, they could face harsher penalties for organized retail theft.

Criminal Penalties for Shoplifting

The criminal penalties for shoplifting range from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 4 felony. The sentencing ranges are the same as listed above for theft.

Class 1 misdemeanor. Shoplifting merchandise valued at less than $1,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor.

Class 6 felony. Anyone who shoplifts between $1,000 and $2,000 worth of merchandise faces a class 6 felony. Stealing a firearm with a value under $1,000 also constitutes a class 6 felony.

Class 5 felony. Shoplifting merchandise valued at $2,000 or more is a class 5 felony. It's also a class 5 felony to shoplift:

• any value of merchandise if done as part of a criminal organization, or
• at least $1,500 worth of merchandise during three shoplifting incidents over a 90-day period.

Class 4 felony. A person who uses any type of tool, device, or container to shoplift or defeat theft prevention measures commits a class 4 felony. Repeat offenders who've been convicted in the past five years of two or more offenses for shoplifting, theft, robbery, burglary, or organized retail theft also face class 4 felony penalties.

Civil Penalties for Shoplifting

In addition to criminal penalties, a person who commits shoplifting in Arizona is liable to the store owner for the following civil damages:

• actual damages
• a penalty in the amount of the retail value of the merchandise, and
• an additional penalty of at least $250.

If a minor commits a shoplifting offense, his or her parent or legal guardian can be held liable to the store owner for actual damages, a penalty in the amount of the retail value of the merchandise, and an additional penalty of at least $100. (Foster parents are not liable under this section.)

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 12-691, 12-692, 13-1805, 13-1816, 13-1817, 13-1819 (2025).)

Getting Legal Help

If you face theft or shoplifting charges, speak to a criminal defense lawyer or ask for a public defender. An attorney can protect your rights, help you navigate the criminal justice system, and explain any consequences of a plea deal or criminal record. Even if the charges are for petty or misdemeanor theft, the consequences of a criminal record can impact your ability to get employment, housing, or loans. It's best to consult an attorney before accepting any type of plea deal or civil settlement (in the case of shoplifting).