Your Past Conviction Doesn't Have to Define Your Future
Arizona law gives eligible people a path toward a cleaner record. At ATR Law Group, we evaluate your criminal history under ARS 13-907 and ARS 13-911, determine whether you qualify, and handle the full petition process — including any immigration consequences that need to be considered before we file anything.
What Arizona Actually Offers: Set Aside, Record Sealing, and Why "Expungement" Means Something Different Here
Arizona does not have true expungement — a process that erases a conviction entirely. What Arizona does offer are two meaningful legal remedies that can significantly change how your record is seen by employers, landlords, and licensing boards.
Under ARS 13-907, a set aside vacates the judgment of guilt and dismisses the charges for most eligible offenses. The record still exists, but it reflects that the conviction was set aside. Under ARS 13-911, record sealing removes the record from public view for eligible offenses after a required waiting period following completion of your sentence. Many people searching for an expungement lawyer in Phoenix are actually looking for one or both of these remedies — and for most eligible clients, they accomplish what matters most.
Set Aside Under ARS 13-907
A set aside is available for most convictions in Arizona, with certain exceptions. Offenses involving dangerous crimes against children, offenses requiring sex offender registration, and convictions involving a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument are generally not eligible. For offenses that do qualify, a granted set aside vacates the judgment and dismisses the underlying charges, which can meaningfully affect how background checks reflect your history.
Record Sealing Under ARS 13-911
Arizona's Clean Slate law under ARS 13-911 allows eligible individuals to seal their criminal records from public access. Sealing means the record no longer appears in most standard background checks. Waiting periods apply and vary depending on the offense level — from two years for certain misdemeanors to longer periods for felony convictions. Some offense categories are not eligible for sealing regardless of time served.
Why the Distinction Between Set Aside and Sealing Matters
Set aside and record sealing are separate remedies with different effects, different eligibility requirements, and different waiting periods. In some cases, a client may qualify for both. In others, only one option is available. Understanding which remedy applies to your specific conviction — and which produces the outcome you actually need — is the first step. That analysis is exactly what we do at the initial consultation.
The Immigration Dimension: What Set Aside and Sealing Do — and Don't — Fix
For clients with immigration status or pending immigration matters, this question matters enormously: does a set aside or sealed record eliminate the immigration consequences of a conviction?
The honest answer is: sometimes, in some contexts — but not always. Under federal immigration law, a conviction that has been set aside under state law may still be treated as a conviction for removal purposes. Immigration agencies and immigration courts are not bound by state court remedies the way civilian employers or licensing boards are. A set aside can improve how your record appears in many settings, but it does not automatically eliminate immigration consequences that have already attached to a conviction.
This is precisely why we evaluate the immigration implications before recommending or filing any petition. If you have an immigration case open, a pending application, or concerns about your status, those factors shape the strategy. Our criminal defense and immigration practices work together on cases where both are in play.
How ATR Law Group Handles Record Sealing and Set Aside Cases
We approach every record sealing and set aside case the same way: eligibility first, strategy second, filing third.
Eligibility Review
At the first consultation, we pull your criminal history and review each conviction against the eligibility criteria under ARS 13-907 and ARS 13-911. We identify which offenses qualify, which do not, and whether waiting periods have been satisfied. If you are not yet eligible, we tell you when you will be and what the path looks like.
Immigration Consequence Analysis
For any client with immigration ties — current status, a pending application, a prior removal order, or family members with open cases — we assess how a set aside or sealing petition interacts with those proceedings before we recommend filing. We do not treat criminal record relief as isolated from immigration consequences.
Petition Preparation and Filing
Once eligibility is confirmed and strategy is aligned, we prepare the full petition, gather supporting documentation, and file with the appropriate court. We handle the procedural requirements so you don't have to navigate them alone.
Post-Filing Follow-Through
After filing, we monitor the case, respond to any objections from the prosecution, and represent you at any required hearing. When the petition is granted, we help you understand what the order means and how to address it if a background check question arises.
Why Clients in Phoenix Choose ATR Law Group for Record Sealing
ATR Law Group is not a single-practice firm. We handle criminal defense, immigration, and personal injury — and that breadth is not accidental. Many of our clients are immigrants or the children of immigrants navigating a legal system that can feel designed to work against them. Our founder, Alinka Tymkowicz Robinson, Esq., is the daughter of immigrants herself. She built this firm around the understanding that legal problems rarely arrive in neat categories.
When a criminal conviction carries immigration consequences, you need an attorney who can evaluate both sides. When a record sealing petition could affect a pending green card application, you need someone who understands what that application requires. That intersection is where ATR works.
- AILA member — American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Arizona State Bar member
- ABA member
- BBB Accredited Business
- Bilingual English and Spanish service
- Free consultations for new clients
- Client portal and WhatsApp access for ongoing communication
Criminal Defense Services We Handle Alongside Record Relief
Record sealing and set aside are often the final step after a criminal matter has resolved. If you are still navigating an open case, we handle the full range of criminal defense matters in Maricopa County. A strong outcome at the defense stage can determine whether record relief is available to you later.
Our criminal defense practice covers DUI defense, drug crimes, domestic violence defense, and assault defense. Each of these charges carries its own potential immigration consequences, and we evaluate those consequences from the first conversation.
Common Questions About Record Sealing in Arizona
Can I get my record expunged in Arizona?
Arizona does not offer expungement in the traditional sense. The state provides two alternatives: a set aside under ARS 13-907, which vacates the judgment and dismisses the charges for eligible offenses, and record sealing under ARS 13-911, which removes eligible records from public view. For most clients, these remedies accomplish what they are looking for when they search for expungement.What is the difference between a set aside and record sealing in Arizona?
A set aside under ARS 13-907 changes the court record to reflect that the conviction was vacated and the charges dismissed — but the record itself remains visible. Record sealing under ARS 13-911 goes further and removes the record from public access entirely for eligible offenses. Some clients qualify for both; others qualify for only one. Eligibility depends on the specific offense and how much time has passed since completing the sentence.How does record sealing affect my immigration status in Arizona?
A set aside or sealed record can change how some employers, landlords, and licensing boards view your history, but it does not automatically eliminate immigration consequences. Under federal immigration law, a conviction that has been set aside at the state level may still be treated as a conviction for removal or inadmissibility purposes. We evaluate immigration consequences before recommending any petition for clients with open immigration matters or pending applications.How long does the record sealing process take in Arizona?
The timeline varies depending on the court, the complexity of the case, and whether the prosecution objects to the petition. Most set aside petitions resolve within a few months. Record sealing petitions under ARS 13-911 can take longer depending on court scheduling and any required hearings. We give clients a realistic timeline estimate after reviewing their specific case.How do I know if I'm eligible to seal my criminal record in Arizona?
Eligibility depends on the offense type, the sentence imposed, and whether the required waiting period has passed since you completed all sentence conditions. Certain offenses — including dangerous crimes against children and offenses requiring sex offender registration — are not eligible. The most reliable way to know your options is a direct review of your criminal history. We do that review at no charge during the free consultation.
