Expunging or sealing records

questions & answers

Question: How long after the completion of a misdemeanor sentence until records can be sealed in the state of Arizona?

Answer: You may want to review the article on this site about setting aside convictions. Note that setting aside a conviction is different from sealing a record. You may also want to review A.R.S. § 13-907 about setting aside the judgment of a conviction. In part, that statute says:

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, every person convicted of a criminal offense, on fulfillment of the conditions of probation or sentence and discharge by the court, may apply to the judge, justice of the peace or magistrate who pronounced sentence or imposed probation or such judge, justice of the peace or magistrate's successor in office to have the judgment of guilt set aside. The convicted person shall be informed of this right at the time of discharge.

B. The application to set aside the judgment may be made by the convicted person or by the convicted person's attorney or probation officer authorized in writing.

You may want to review the complete statute because it also lists those convictions that cannot be set aside.