How do I expunge a criminal record in Arizona?

Arizona record relief is governed by A.R.S. § 13-905 (set-aside) and the new A.R.S. § 13-911 (sealing/expungement).

1. Set-Aside — A.R.S. § 13-905

Available after completion of probation/sentence.

Court "sets aside" the conviction; defendant is "released from all penalties and disabilities" resulting from the conviction.

Excludes: dangerous offenses, sex offenses, offenses involving minors under 15, driving violations resulting in serious injury/death, and offenses with statutory exclusion.

Set-aside does NOT erase the record — it remains visible but with notation that judgment was set aside.

2. Sealing — A.R.S. § 13-911 (Effective Jan. 1, 2023)

New law allows sealing of criminal case records (arrest, conviction, sentencing).

Effect: records hidden from public; you may legally deny the arrest/conviction in most contexts.

3. Waiting Periods (from completion of all sentence terms — A.R.S. § 13-911(D))

Class 2 or 3 felony: 10 years.

Class 4, 5, or 6 felony: 5 years.

Class 1 misdemeanor: 3 years.

Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor: 2 years.

No new convictions during waiting period.

4. Excluded from Sealing

Dangerous offenses (A.R.S. § 13-704).

Sex offenses requiring registration.

DUI offenses (A.R.S. § 28-1381 et seq.).

Class 1 felonies (most serious).

Offenses against children under 15.

5. Marijuana Expungement — A.R.S. § 36-2862 (Prop 207, 2020)

Effective July 12, 2021, persons with marijuana possession (≤ 2.5 oz), cultivation (≤ 6 plants), or paraphernalia convictions may petition to expunge (truly erase) the record.

File petition in convicting court; prosecutor has 30 days to object.

6. Procedure

File Petition to Seal in convicting court.

Filing fee approximately $50-100 (waivable).

Court reviews and may grant without hearing if uncontested.

This is legal information, not legal advice.