Move Forward From an Old Arizona Criminal Case
A past arrest or conviction can keep showing up long after the case is over. It can affect job applications, housing, professional licensing, fingerprint clearance, firearm rights, and your peace of mind.
AJB Law Firm helps eligible clients pursue Arizona set asides, record sealing, and related post-conviction relief options. If you are not sure what you qualify for, we can help you understand your options and the next step.
Your Record May Still Be Creating Problems
Even after you finish probation, pay fines, complete classes, or move on with your life, an old case may still create barriers. Many people do not realize how often criminal records can come up until they apply for a job, housing, a professional license, a fingerprint clearance card, or another opportunity.
You may also be confused about what Arizona law actually allows. People often use words like expungement, sealing, set aside, and restoration of rights as if they mean the same thing. They do not.
AJB Law Firm can review your situation, explain what type of relief may apply, and help you pursue the option that fits your case.
Two Common Options: Set Aside or Record Seal
Arizona law gives some people a way to seek relief from an old criminal case. The right option depends on what happened in the case, whether there was a conviction, when the case ended, what offense was involved, and whether you completed the required terms.
Set Aside Conviction
$650A set aside is usually for someone who was convicted and has completed the sentence, probation, and other court-ordered requirements.
If granted, the court can set aside the judgment of guilt, dismiss the charging document, and release the person from many penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction, subject to Arizona law and exceptions.
This does not erase the conviction from existence, but it can be an important step toward showing rehabilitation and moving forward.
Read A.R.S. § 13-905Record Seal
$950Record sealing may apply to more than just convictions. Depending on the situation, a person may seek to seal records related to an arrest, charge, conviction, sentence, dismissed case, not-guilty finding, or arrest where charges were never filed.
If granted, the person may be able to state in many situations that they were not arrested, charged, or convicted of the sealed offense, subject to Arizona law and exceptions.
Record sealing can be especially valuable when the main concern is public access to court or criminal history records.
Read A.R.S. § 13-911What Is the Difference Between a Set Aside and a Record Seal?
Both options can help people move forward, but they work differently.
| Question | Set Aside | Record Seal |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Someone who was convicted and wants the court to formally recognize completion, rehabilitation, and relief from many penalties and disabilities. | Someone who wants eligible arrest, charge, conviction, or sentencing records sealed from public access. |
| When you can usually ask | After completing probation, jail, prison, treatment, classes, restitution, and other court-ordered requirements, and after being discharged by the court. | For convictions, after the required waiting period. For dismissed, not-guilty, or never-filed cases, usually after the case is final and the statute of limitations has passed. |
| Eligible case types | Usually conviction cases, subject to exclusions. | Convictions, dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and arrests where charges were never filed, subject to timing rules and exclusions. |
| What you gain if granted | The conviction is set aside, the charging document is dismissed, and you may receive relief from many penalties and disabilities from the conviction. | The records are sealed, and in many situations you may state that you were not arrested, charged, convicted, or sentenced for the sealed offense. |
| Employment, housing, loans, and applications | May help show rehabilitation and completion, but the conviction is not erased. | May allow you to answer certain questions differently in employment, housing, financial aid, and loan contexts, subject to exceptions. |
| Important limits | Does not erase the conviction and does not prevent all future use or disclosure. | Does not erase every government record and does not block access by all agencies, courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, or authorized entities. |
| Court discretion | The court reviews the case, completion, history, victim input, time passed, and other relevant factors. | The court considers whether sealing is in the best interests of the petitioner and public safety, and objections or hearings may affect timing. |
Am I Eligible?
Eligibility depends on the details. The offense, outcome, sentence completion, waiting period, and court history all matter.
You may be ready to explore a set aside if:
- You were convicted in Arizona.
- You completed probation, jail, prison, treatment, classes, or other sentence requirements.
- You were discharged by the court.
- You do not have a disqualifying offense.
- You want formal court relief from many of the penalties and disabilities of the conviction.
Some convictions are excluded from set-aside relief, including certain dangerous offenses, offenses requiring sex-offender registration, sexual-motivation offenses, and certain felony offenses involving victims under age fifteen.
You may be ready to explore record sealing if:
- You were convicted and the required waiting period has passed.
- Your case was dismissed.
- You were found not guilty.
- You were arrested but charges were never filed.
- You completed the sentence and paid required fines, fees, and restitution if applicable.
- You do not have a disqualifying offense or statutory exception.
For convictions, Arizona’s record-sealing law includes waiting periods based on the level of offense.
Why People Seek Post-Conviction Relief
People seek set asides, record sealing, and related relief for many reasons. Some are practical. Some are personal. Many are both.
An old conviction or arrest may make job applications more stressful.
Landlords and property managers may screen for criminal history.
A set aside or sealed record may be part of showing rehabilitation.
Some jobs and volunteer positions require fingerprint clearance or background review.
Some people also need to evaluate restoration of civil rights or firearm rights.
Sometimes people simply want the court record to reflect that they completed what was required.
Important Limits to Understand
Post-conviction relief can be powerful, but it is not magic. It is important to understand what these options can and cannot do.
A set aside is not the same thing as erasing a conviction. A record seal does not make every agency record disappear. Private websites, news articles, screenshots, search results, and third-party databases may not automatically update or remove information just because a court grants relief.
Certain government agencies, courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, licensing entities, and other authorized groups may still be able to access sealed records in specific situations. Arizona’s record-sealing statute includes exceptions for access and disclosure.
The court also has discretion. Filing a petition does not guarantee that it will be granted. The goal is to understand what relief may realistically accomplish for you before you invest time and money into the process.
How AJB Law Firm Helps
The process starts with understanding the case, the goal, and the paperwork needed to move forward.
Eligibility Review
We start by reviewing what happened in your case, what you are trying to accomplish, and whether a set aside, record seal, restoration issue, or another option may apply.
Document Collection
We identify what records may be needed, including case numbers, court records, sentencing documents, minute entries, proof of completion, and restitution information.
Petition Preparation
If you are eligible and decide to move forward, we prepare the appropriate petition and supporting materials.
Filing and Follow-Up
We file with the court and monitor the case for objections, hearings, orders, or additional requirements.
Next-Step Guidance
After the court rules, we explain what the order means and what you should know going forward.
Flat-Fee Post-Conviction Services
Choose the service that fits your situation, or book a consultation if you are not sure.
Set Aside Conviction
$650This service is designed for eligible Arizona convictions where the client is seeking to have the conviction set aside.
- Eligibility review
- Petition preparation
- Filing with the court
- Follow-up on court status
- Explanation of the order and next steps
Record Seal
$950This service is designed for eligible Arizona records where the client is seeking to seal arrest, charge, conviction, or sentencing records.
- Eligibility review
- Petition preparation
- Filing with the court
- Follow-up on objections, hearings, or order status
- Explanation of the order and next steps
Court filing fees, certified records, background checks, or third-party costs may be separate if applicable.
Not Sure Which Option Applies?
You do not have to know the answer before you reach out. Many people are unsure whether they need a set aside, record seal, restoration of rights, firearm-rights review, or something else.
Start with a post-conviction eligibility consultation. We will review the basics, talk through your goals, and help you understand the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as expungement?
Not usually. People often use the word “expungement” to mean any process that clears or hides a record, but Arizona uses different legal tools for different situations. Depending on your case, the relevant option may be a set aside, record seal, marijuana expungement, restoration of rights, or something else.
Can I seal a dismissed case?
Usually, yes, so long as the case is final and the statute of limitations has passed. Eligibility still depends on the specific case, the charge, the timing, and whether any statutory exception applies.
Can I seal an arrest if charges were never filed?
Usually, yes, so long as charges were not filed and the statute of limitations has passed. Timing matters, because the court generally needs to know that the case is not still within a period where charges could be filed.
Can I set aside a DUI conviction?
Usually, yes. Many DUI convictions may be eligible for a set aside after the sentence and court-ordered requirements are complete, but eligibility still depends on the specific conviction, sentence completion, and statutory requirements.
How long do I have to wait before sealing my record?
For convictions, the waiting period depends on the offense level. Arizona law lists different waiting periods for different felony and misdemeanor levels.
Will employers still see my record?
It depends. A set aside and a record seal have different effects. Some employers, agencies, licensing entities, and authorized groups may still have access in certain circumstances. The goal of the consultation is to talk through your specific concern.
Can this restore my gun rights?
Not automatically in every case. Restoration of firearm rights can be a separate legal issue and depends on the conviction, sentence, timing, and statutory limits.
What if I do not have my court paperwork?
That is okay. Start with what you know. We can usually identify what documents may be missing and what needs to be pulled from the court or other agencies.
What if my petition was denied before?
A prior denial does not always mean there is nothing to do, but timing matters. For record sealing, a person generally must wait three years after a denial before filing a new petition. For other requests, we would want to review the denial, the reason for it, and whether anything has changed.
How long does the process take?
Timing depends on the court, the type of petition, whether the prosecutor or victim objects, whether a hearing is set, and whether additional records are needed. We can give you a more realistic timeline after reviewing your case.
Helpful Articles About Arizona Record Relief
If you want to learn more before scheduling, these articles explain key differences between record sealing, set asides, expungement, and restoration of rights in Arizona.
Record Seals, Expungements & Set Asides
A helpful overview of Arizona record sealing, marijuana expungement, and set-aside options.
Read article
Record Sealing Limitations
Learn what record sealing can and cannot do, including important access and disclosure limits.
Read article
Restoration of Civil Rights & Set Asides
Understand how restoration of rights and set-aside relief may apply after an Arizona conviction.
Read article
How to Get Your Conviction Set Aside in Arizona
A practical guide to eligibility, process, benefits, and limits of setting aside a conviction.
Read articleReady to Find Out What Options You Have?
You do not have to guess whether you qualify. Start with a consultation or choose the flat-fee service that fits your situation.