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This page was designed to help our clients better understand our Arizona Record Sealing service. You will find answers to the questions we are most frequently asked. If your question is related to eligibility requirements please take the free online eligibility test.
Simply click on a question to see its answer:
You must prove to the judge that the arrest was wrongful. According to prior cases,this means that you must show that the arrest was illegal, unlawful, or unjust. (ARS 13-4051)
Determining individual chances of success is difficult to say without researching your case. We can do a preliminary evaluation for a small fee, which, if you wish to go forward with the sealing, we would apply to the total cost.
For a small researching fee, we can pull your criminal record for you and determine if you are eligible for record clearing relief in Arizona.
No. The case had to have been dismissed without a conviction prior to the dismissal. (ARS 13-4051)
The average record sealing case in Arizona can take six months or more, depending on the case. The amount of time that has passed since the incident, whether the DA objects, and the details of your case can all affect the length of the process.
The court works on cases on a first-come, first-served basis. We will work as quickly as possible, and we can write a letter to your employer or potential employer to inform them that we are in the process of having your record sealed.
In most cases, even if a hearing is scheduled, you will not have to attend, because we will have an attorney there for you. If the court specifically requests you do appear, we will file a motion with the court to request your presence be excused.
You will receive the court order which seals the records of your case. After the case is sealed, the court updates their records and sends the order on to the state agencies.
Record sealing cases can be denied because: (1) the court does not believe the arrest was wrongful, (2) there was an inaccuracy in the court file, or (3) there was an inaccuracy in the application.
If the case is denied, we evaluate the reason for the denial and determine the best way to proceed, which can include refiling or recommending the person wait longer to refile.
For our record sealing service in Arizona, we are unable to offer a money-back guarantee and such a low price for this service, because the process involves a substantial amount of preparation and work and sometimes several appearances in court by our attorneys.
Yes, unless the record is sealed.
No. The arrest will be sealed, so courts and law enforcement agencies cannot release information about the records. The federal government may keep an “index” of your case and use your record for internal purposes, such as immigration. However, you will have the sealing order to show that the case was sealed. (ARS 13-4051(B))
No. Convictions are not eligible for record sealing. (ARS 13-4051)
Each case is unique, and to find out if your criminal case may impact your immigration case, it is important to contact a qualified immigration attorney. You may contact our in-house immigration attorney at 714-617-8395.
The arrest and court case will not show up on a background check. The federal government may keep an index of your case and use your record for internal purposes, such as immigration.
The court updates their records within 48 hours and the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has up to 30 days to update their records. However, the DPS typically updates their records before the 30 days expire.
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