Ariz. Rev. Stat. » Title 13
Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1803 (2026)

Unlawful use of means of transportation; classification

✓ current as of May 2026
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A. A person commits unlawful use of means of transportation if, without intent permanently to deprive, the person either:

1. Knowingly takes unauthorized control over another person's means of transportation.

2. Knowingly is transported or physically located in a vehicle that the person knows or has reason to know is in the unlawful possession of another person pursuant to paragraph 1 or section 13-1814.

B. A violation of subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section is a class 5 felony.

C. A violation of subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section is a class 6 felony.  

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 24 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1981–2022 · leading case: United States v. Sanchez-Garcia, 501 F.3d 1208 (10th Cir. 2007).
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United States v. Sanchez-Garcia, 501 F.3d 1208 (10th Cir. 2007). · cites it 11× “Another subsection of 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(43) provides that a "theft offense” is also an aggravated felony.”
State v. Marquez, 660 P.2d 1243 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 9× “Appellant became a suspect in the armed robbery while he and his two companions were being “booked” at Chandler City jail charged with unlawful use of means of transportation, A.R.S. § 13-1803. Prior to trial, appellant moved to suppress certain statements he had made while in…”
State v. Kamai, 911 P.2d 626 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 8× “" See and compare A.R.S. § 13-1803 and A.R.S. § 13-1802(A)(1).”
State v. Hunter, 664 P.2d 195 (Ariz. 1983). · cites it 4× “§ 13-1105, and unlawful use of a means of transportation in violation of A.R.S. § 13-1803. Appellant was sentenced to life without possibility of parole for 25 years for murder, and a term of 1.”
State v. Geeslin, 225 P.3d 1129 (Ariz. 2010). · cites it 5× “See AR.S. § 13-1803(A) (2001). The court denied that request, and Geeslin was convicted on all counts charged.”
State v. Hoag, 797 P.2d 1233 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 22× “The sole issue in this appeal is whether mere unauthorized entry into a vehicle or other such trespassory conduct constitutes “control” over that vehicle sufficient to support a conviction for unlawful use of means of transportation in violation of A.R.S. § 13-1803. We hold that…”
State v. Winter, 706 P.2d 1228 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1985). · cites it 4× “FAILURE TO INSTRUCT ON JOYRIDING Appellant argues that joyriding in violation of A.R.S. § 13-1803 4 is a lesser included offense within A.”
State v. Breed, 286 P.3d 806 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 8× “2d at 628-30 (concluding that unlawful use under § 13-1803 is a lesser-included offense of theft under § 13-1802).”
State v. Jimenez, 935 P.2d 920 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 2× “Later, the plea agreement was amended and defendant pled guilty to unlawful use of means of transportation, a class 1 misdemeanor, in violation of A.R.S. § 13-1803. The parties stipulated that defendant would be placed on supervised probation.”
In Re William L., 119 P.3d 1039 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2005). “) section 13-1803(A)(1) (2001). At the adjudication hearing, the juvenile court adjudicated juvenile delinquent, placed him on standard probation, and scheduled a restitution hearing.”
State of Arizona v. Francisco Xavier Veloz, 342 P.3d 1272 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “See AR.S. §§ 13-1803 (knowledge required for unlawful use of means of transportation); 13-1805 (intent to deprive required for shoplifting); 13-1817 (intent to cheat or defraud required for unlawful possession, use or alteration of retail sales receipt).”
State v. Geeslin, 212 P.3d 912 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “While Geeslin persuasively argues that unlawful use pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-1803 (2001) is a lesser included offense of theft of means of transportation pursuant to A.”
Show all 24 citing cases →
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1803(A) — 3 cases
State v. Geeslin, 225 P.3d 1129 (Ariz. 2010). “See AR.S. § 13-1803(A) (2001). The court denied that request, and Geeslin was convicted on all counts charged.”
State v. Hoag, 797 P.2d 1233 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990). “The sole issue in this appeal is whether mere unauthorized entry into a vehicle or other such trespassory conduct constitutes “control” over that vehicle sufficient to support a conviction for unlawful use of means of transportation in violation of A.R.S. § 13-1803. We hold that…”
State v. Vallejo (Ariz. Ct. App. 2016).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1803(A)(1) — 10 cases
United States v. Sanchez-Garcia, 501 F.3d 1208 (10th Cir. 2007). “Another subsection of 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(43) provides that a "theft offense” is also an aggravated felony.”
State v. Breed, 286 P.3d 806 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2012). “2d at 628-30 (concluding that unlawful use under § 13-1803 is a lesser-included offense of theft under § 13-1802).”
In Re William L., 119 P.3d 1039 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2005). “) section 13-1803(A)(1) (2001). At the adjudication hearing, the juvenile court adjudicated juvenile delinquent, placed him on standard probation, and scheduled a restitution hearing.”
State v. Griest, 994 P.2d 1028 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2000).
Jose Serna-Guerra v. Michael Mukasey, 285 F. App'x 110 (5th Cir. 2008).
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1803(A)(l) — 1 case
United States v. Sanchez-Garcia, 501 F.3d 1208 (10th Cir. 2007). “Another subsection of 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(43) provides that a "theft offense” is also an aggravated felony.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1803(a)(1) — 1 case
State v. Medrano (Ariz. Ct. App. 2018).
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