Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2414 – Impersonating a veteran; classification; definitions

A. A person commits impersonating a veteran of the United States armed forces if the person knowingly misrepresents themselves to be a veteran and engages in any of the following conduct with the intent to obtain money, property or any tangible benefit:
1. 1. The person knowingly misrepresents themselves to be a veteran of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States without having served in that branch as an enlisted service member, warrant officer or commissioned officer.
2. 2. The person knowingly misrepresents themselves to be a recipient of a decoration, medal, badge or tab that was not lawfully earned through military service.
3. 3. The person knowingly misrepresents themselves to have graduated from a military school from which the person did not graduate or to have obtained a rating or military occupational specialty that the person did not obtain.
4. 4. The person falsely claims attendance at any of the following academies or schools:
  1. (a) United States military academy.
  2. (b) United States naval academy.
  3. (c) United States air force academy.
  4. (d) United States coast guard academy.
  5. (e) United States merchant marine academy.
  6. (f) United States marine corps and United States army sergeant majors academy.
  7. (g) United States air force chiefs course.
  8. (h) United States navy senior enlisted academy.
  9. (i) All other military branch schools that produce an additional skills identifier qualification, including ranger, seal, recon or special forces.
5. 5. The person knowingly misrepresents themselves to be a combat veteran.
6. 6. The person falsifies or alters military documents or records.
7. 7. The person knowingly misrepresents themselves to have received a characterization of discharge that the person did not receive.
8. 8. The person knowingly misrepresents themselves to be a veteran pursuant to this subsection in the furtherance of a campaign for political office.
B. Certified separation documents from the applicable uniformed service or the national archives and record administration that support the person's claims constitute a complete defense to prosecution. Before filing a complaint or seeking an indictment, a prosecuting agency shall obtain from the applicable uniformed service or the national archives and record administration a certified copy of the person's separation documents or shall receive notice that such documents do not exist.
C. This section does not apply to actors or actresses who play a veteran in conjunction with a role in a production intended for entertainment or to individuals experiencing homelessness.
D. Impersonating a veteran is a class 1 misdemeanor, except that impersonating a veteran is a class 6 felony if the benefit obtained has a value of at least $50,000.
E. If a person is convicted of a class 6 felony pursuant to this section, section 13-604 does not apply.
F. For the purposes of this section:
1. 1. "Combat veteran" means a current or former member of the uniformed services who served in a location where the receipt of imminent danger pay or hostile fire pay was authorized.
2. 2. "Tangible benefit" means financial remuneration, an effect on the outcome of a criminal or civil court proceeding, or any benefit relating to service in the military that is provided by a federal, state or local governmental entity.