Introduction
Whether it is due to technological advances that make committing criminal impersonation a breeze or the lack of violence needed, criminal impersonation is one of the most commonly committed crimes in Arizona. Even though this crimes appear to be minor, it is, in fact, a felony offense.
In Arizona, criminal impersonation is defined according to A.R.S. 13-2006, and if you are convicted, you will be charged with a class six felony, and you will be fined. If you have been arrested for criminal impersonation in Arizona, you face serious felony charges if convicted. Due to the seriousness of the charges you are facing, contact Jackson White Law today to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
What Criminal Acts Fall Under A.R.S 13-2002?
According to A.R.S 13-2002, any of the following actions are considered to be criminal impersonation in Arizona:
- Assuming a false identity with the intent to defraud another; or
- Pretending to be a representative of some person or organization with the intent to defraud; or
- Pretending to be, or assuming a false identity of, an employee or a representative of some person or organization with the intent to induce another person to provide or allow access to property. This paragraph does not apply to peace officers in the performance of their duties.
What is Criminal Impersonation?
Criminal impersonation is a crime that involves one or more of the following actions:
Assuming A False Identity:
Under Arizona law, it is illegal for anyone to assume a false identity if they intend to obtain a benefit, injure or defraud someone else. In this context, obtaining a benefit simply means making money off or improving their standing.
Currently, one of the most common examples of this crime occurs when an individual pretends to be an IRS agent and calls individuals telling them that they need to pay off a fake debt to avoid going to jail. The individual posing as an IRS agent is impersonating someone else, and their intent is to obtain money from them.
Pretending to be A Representative of Another Person Or Organization
According to A.R.S. 13-2002, a person does not have to obtain a benefit from their action to be found guilty of criminal impersonation. In fact, merely pretending to be a representative of an organization is a crime.
Opening a Bank Account or Credit Card in Someone Else’s Name
While it is entirely legal for a parent or close family member to open up a bank account or credit card on behalf of a child, it is illegal for anyone else to do so. You must have a person’s consent before opening an account or credit card in their name. If you do not obtain their consent, you may be charged with a felony.
Penalties for Criminal Impersonation in Arizona
Criminal impersonation is either a class six felony or a class 1 misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. In Arizona, class 6 felonies carry a penalty of up to a year and a half in jail, and a class 1 misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to 6 months in jail. In addition to facing jail time, if you are convicted of criminal impersonation, you may also be required to pay restitution to victims as well as a fine.
While jail time, restitution, and fines are serious penalties, being convicted of a felony also impacts your livelihood. Many employers avoid hiring individuals with a criminal record, and property owners may even deny your application to rent from them.
If you have been charged with criminal impersonation, you are facing serious consequences if you are convicted. Contact JacksonWhite Law to schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can fight these charges on your behalf.
Hiring an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
A felony conviction has serious, long-term consequences on your life. Aside from serving a prison sentence, having a felony on your record will make it challenging to find a job, find a place to live, and it opens you up to stiffer penalties if you commit another crime later on.
To fight these charges, you will need the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The criminal defense attorneys at Jackson White Law have vast experience crafting capable legal defenses and helping their clients obtain the best results possible.
If you have been charged with A.R.S. 13-2006, criminal impersonation, contact Jackson White Law below.
Call the JacksonWhite Criminal Law team at (480) 467-4370 to discuss your case today.
