For many people with criminal records, the desire to move forward in life is often blocked by past mistakes, unless you do something about it. Whether it’s difficulty securing a job, renting an apartment, or obtaining a professional license, a criminal record can follow you for years—sometimes decades. If you have more than one criminal case on your record, those challenges can compound significantly.
But Arizona law has evolved to offer new options for people with criminal records. With tools like record sealing, set asides, and marijuana expungement, it is now possible to reduce the long-term consequences of a criminal history—even when that history involves multiple cases.
So, what does the process look like if you have more than one criminal case? Are you eligible to seal or expunge them all? And what’s the smartest strategy for getting started?
Let’s explore the options available under Arizona law and what you need to know if you want to clear your record—even when that record is complicated.
Understanding Arizona’s Criminal Record Relief Options
Arizona offers three distinct forms of relief from criminal records. While each has different eligibility criteria and effects, all are designed to help individuals move past old legal trouble and regain access to jobs, housing, education, and more.
Record Sealing (A.R.S. § 13-911)
Record sealing is the newest tool available in Arizona. This law, effective January 1, 2023, allows individuals to petition the court to seal criminal case records—including arrests, charges, convictions, and dismissed cases. Once sealed, these records are not visible to the public, landlords, or most employers. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement, may still access them.
Record sealing provides more privacy than any other form of relief and is particularly useful for those who want their criminal history hidden from background checks.
Set Aside (A.R.S. § 13-905)
Arizona does not offer traditional expungement for most crimes, but it does allow for convictions to be “set aside.” When a conviction is set aside, the court formally vacates the judgment of guilt, and the record is updated to reflect that the conviction has been legally nullified. However, it does not erase the conviction—it still exists, but with an official notation that the case has been set aside. A set aside can also be used to restore firearm rights in Arizona if they were lost due to the conviction.
This can be helpful for restoring firearm rights, employment, licensing, and immigration cases, as it shows that you’ve completed your sentence and rehabilitated.
Marijuana Expungement (A.R.S. § 36-2862)
Passed as part of Proposition 207, Arizona’s marijuana expungement law allows for complete expungement of certain marijuana-related offenses. If you were arrested, charged, or convicted for possession, use, or cultivation of small amounts of marijuana, you may be eligible for full expungement.
This process entirely removes the record from public and government access and treats it as though it never occurred. It is a more powerful form of relief than a set aside or sealing, but it only applies to specific marijuana offenses.
Can You Seal or Set Aside Multiple Cases?
The short answer is yes, multiple criminal cases can be sealed or set aside, but each case must qualify independently and must be handled through its own legal process. Arizona law doesn’t allow for a one-size-fits-all application when it comes to multiple criminal records.
Here’s how the process works for individuals with more than one case:
Every Case Must Meet the Criteria
Each criminal case must be evaluated on its own merit. That means:
- The appropriate waiting period must be met for each offense
- You must have fully completed all sentencing terms, including jail or prison time, probation, fines and any restitution owed
- The offense must be eligible under the applicable statute (sealing, set aside, or expungement)
Importantly, not all criminal offenses are eligible for sealing or a set aside. Crimes involving serious violence, sex offenses, or crimes against children may not qualify under Arizona law.
Separate Petitions Are Required
If you were charged or convicted in more than one court—such as cases from both Maricopa and Pima counties—you will need to submit a separate petition in each jurisdiction. The court where the case originated holds the authority to approve or deny your petition.
This can make the process time-consuming and complex, especially if your cases span across multiple cities or years.
Timing and Strategy Matter
Arizona law sets out specific waiting periods that must elapse before you can file a petition to seal your record:
- Class 2 or 3 felony: 10 years after completion of sentence
- Class 4, 5, or 6 felony: 5 years
- Class 1 misdemeanor: 3 years
- Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor: 2 years
These timeframes apply individually to each case. So, if you have a misdemeanor from 2015 and a felony from 2025, only the misdemeanor may be eligible for sealing today.
How Do Multiple Petitions Affect One Another?
One of the most common concerns is whether having several cases on your record affects your chances of success.
While the court reviews each case individually, judges may also take your overall criminal history into account. A person with two misdemeanors from years ago is likely to receive different consideration than someone with a string of recent felony convictions, even if they are eligible to be sealed.
Still, a denial in one case does not automatically prevent approval in others. Courts look at factors such as time elapsed, efforts toward rehabilitation, employment, and community involvement.
Example: A Multiple-Case Record in Arizona
Let’s say you have the following on your criminal record:
- A 2012 felony marijuana possession charge
- A 2015 Class 6 felony theft conviction
- A 2020 misdemeanor domestic violence charge that was dismissed
- A 2025 driving under the influence (DUI) charge and conviction
Each of these could potentially be addressed through different legal mechanisms:
- The marijuana charge could be expunged under Proposition 207 but not set aside or sealed since it is not legally possible to set aside or seal an expunged case
- The felony theft case could be eligible for a set aside immediately if the punishment was completed or sealing if the punishment was completed more than five years ago
- The dismissed charge is immediately eligible for sealing but not set aside since the case was dismissed
- The DUI conviction is eligible for set aside once the punishment is complete and/or sealing once the punishment is completed and three years have passed. For a DUI conviction, it is best to do both the set aside and sealing records. The 2025 DUI does not automatically make the prior offenses ineligible for set asides, sealing or expunment but the judge can consider the recency of the DUI to effectively deny the other cases since the overall idea is to remain crime free and as a reward you can have prior cases removed from your record
These types of mixed-case histories are not uncommon—and they illustrate the need a law firm to help determine and apply for which relief options make the most sense for your situation.
Marijuana Expungement: A Special Case for Multiple Offenses
If you have more than one qualifying marijuana offense, you can file for expungement on each case. These petitions can be filed at the same time, but each must be submitted to the court that handled the original charge.
Unlike other forms of relief, marijuana expungement under Prop 207 is more straightforward and has fewer limitations. The law was designed to give people a clean break from outdated criminalization of marijuana use, and Arizona courts are generally cooperative in processing these petitions.
If multiple marijuana-related charges are dragging down your record, expungement offers a powerful and relatively quick way to move forward.
Why Clearing Multiple Cases Is Worth the Effort
Even if the process feels overwhelming, clearing your criminal record—case by case—can have life-changing benefits:
- Employers conducting background checks may no longer see sealed or expunged records
- Housing applications are more likely to be approved without visible convictions
- Eligibility for professional licenses or educational programs increases
- Social stigma and anxiety over your past can finally begin to fade
Having multiple cases doesn’t mean you’re out of options. In fact, with the right legal approach, you may be closer to a clean slate than you think. Even if not all of your past cases are eligilble it is better to remove as many as you can because it will always be better to have the least amount of cases as possible.
Don’t Navigate This Alone — Let Future First Criminal Law Do It For You
The legal process to seal, set aside, or expunge multiple cases in Arizona can be complicated, especially when dealing with different counties, deadlines, and eligibility rules. That’s why having an experienced criminal defense team matters.
Future First Criminal Law focuses exclusively on Arizona criminal law. We understand the ins and outs of record relief and know how to:
- Evaluate which cases to prioritize
- File accurately in multiple jurisdictions
- Prepare convincing petitions that show rehabilitation
- Fight for your future in front of Arizona judges
Our team has helped countless clients clean up complicated criminal records—and we can help you, too.
Ready to Clear Your Record?
You deserve a second chance—and we can help you get it. Whether you have one case or several, Future First Criminal Law is here to guide you through every step of the process to seal, set aside, or expunge your record.
Zachary Divelbiss, Lawyer
Future First Criminal Law
Future First Criminal Law
