Expunging or sealing records

questions & answers

Question: i have a criminal record of shoplifting in 2009 i dont have any other cases or convitions i want to now how to expunge or remove my criminal record if it can be done

Answer:

Arizona does not expunge criminal records; instead records can be “vacated” or “set aside.” It should be noted that a set aside is not available to a person convicted of a criminal offense: 1. Involving the infliction of serious physical injury, 2. Involving the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, 3. For which the person is required or ordered by the court to register as a sex offender, A.R.S. § 13-3821 ,4. For which there has been a finding of sexual motivation under A.R.S. § 13-118 5. In which the victim is a minor under 15 years of age, or 6. In violation of A.R.S. § 28-3473, any local ordinance relating to stopping, standing or operation of a vehicle or title 28, chapter 3, except a violation of §28-693  or any local ordinance relating to the same subject matter as A.R.S. § 28-693 .

To have a conviction set aside, a person must submit a request to the Superior Court in the county where the conviction occurred. Forms may be found in person or online. Here is a link that provides access to all of the Arizona Superior Courts. For online forms, please visit the corresponding county website to see if the county within which the conviction occurred has printable forms. Here is a link to those forms for residents of Maricopa and Cocinono. For more information on setting aside convictions and restoring civil rights, please see this link.