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Arizona Record Relief — Insights, Guides, and Updates
Statutory updates, practical guides, and analysis from an Arizona-licensed attorney building plain-English access to record relief.
Latest posts
SB 1639 (2024): What Changed for AZ Record Sealing
Legislative Update
The September 2024 amendment to § 13-911 — what it changed, who benefits, and what stays the same.
HB2119 (2022): Auto-Restoration of Civil Rights
Legislative Update
How HB2119 made civil rights restoration automatic for first-time AZ felons under § 13-907.
State v. Begay (2026): The Discharge Date Trigger
Case Law Update
The Arizona Supreme Court resolved the ambiguity. Your discharge date is the actual end of probation.
State v. Sorensen (2023): Sales Offenses Eligible
Case Law Update
Marijuana sales convictions in personal-use quantities now qualify for § 36-2862 expungement.
Set-Aside Convictions: An Employer Primer
For Employers
What "set aside" means on a background check, and why it differs from a live conviction.
How Sealed AZ Records Show Up On Background Checks
Background Check Reality
What sealing hides, what it doesn't, and which background checks still surface old records.
Fair-Chance Hiring in Arizona: HR Primer
For Employers
Arizona's fair-chance landscape, EEOC guidance, and the business case for considering candidates with records.
5 Myths About Arizona Record Sealing
Consumer Guide
The most common misconceptions about § 13-911 — debunked with statutory citations.
How Long Does AZ Record Sealing Take?
Consumer Guide
Phase-by-phase breakdown: filing → service → 60-day prosecutor window → ruling.
Set-Aside vs Sealing: Which Do I Need?
Consumer Guide
The decision framework. Most petitioners benefit from filing both — here's why.
Can a Sealed AZ Conviction Still Hurt Me?
Consumer Guide
What sealed records can and can't do — sentencing, immigration, firearms, employment exceptions.
After Auto-Restoration: Do I Need Anything Else?
Consumer Guide
Civil rights are restored. Now what? When set-aside, sealing, firearm rights, or other remedies still matter.