Sealing Records Application

Sealing records is a legal process in Arizona that restricts public access to parts of a person’s criminal record. Under statute A.R.S. § 13-911, individuals with eligible misdemeanor or felony convictions, arrests, or dismissed charges can petition the court to have their case sealed. While this doesn’t erase the crime like expungement, it prevents most employers, landlords, and the public from seeing it during a background check. Law enforcement and the court system still retain access.

This service is intended for people who have completed sentencing or probation and want to improve employment prospects, restore civil rights, and regain privacy. Common qualifying cases include DUI, assault, and other criminal convictions. A criminal defense lawyer can guide clients through the sealing process, filing the petition with the court clerk and responding to any prosecutor objections. Though sealing a record is not the same as criminal expungement, it is often the best legal option available in Arizona.