Introduction
Arizona expungement laws allow individuals who have been convicted of certain criminal offenses to have their criminal records sealed and expunged. This means that the record of the conviction is removed from public records, and the individual can legally claim that they have never been convicted of the offense. Arizona expungement laws provide individuals with the opportunity to move on from their criminal past and live a productive life.Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for an expungement in Arizona, the individual must meet certain requirements. First, the individual must have been convicted of a criminal offense that is eligible for expungement. Eligible offenses include misdemeanors, petty offenses, and some felonies. Additionally, the individual must have completed any sentence imposed by the court, including probation and fines. Finally, the individual must not have any pending criminal charges.Expungement Process
Once an individual has determined that they meet the eligibility requirements, they can begin the expungement process. First, the individual must file a petition for expungement with the court. The petition must include all relevant information, such as the offense, conviction date, and any sentence imposed. After the petition has been filed, the court will review it and decide whether or not to grant the expungement.Effects of Expungement
If the court grants the expungement, the conviction will be removed from the individual’s criminal record. This means that the conviction will no longer be visible to the public, and the individual can legally claim that they have never been convicted of the offense. However, the expungement may still be visible to certain employers and law enforcement agencies.Reinstatement of Expungement
Once an expungement has been granted, it may be reinstated if the individual is convicted of a new offense. This means that the conviction will be visible to the public again, and the individual will not be able to claim that they have never been convicted of the offense. It is important to note that the individual may also be subject to additional penalties for the new offense.Expungement vs. Sealing of Records
It is important to note that expungement is different from sealing of records. When a record is sealed, it is still visible to certain employers and law enforcement agencies. However, the individual can still legally claim that they have never been convicted of the offense. Expungement, on the other hand, completely removes the conviction from public records, making it impossible for employers or law enforcement agencies to access the record.Conclusion
Arizona expungement laws provide individuals with the opportunity to move on from their criminal past and live a productive life. Eligible individuals can have their criminal records expunged, allowing them to legally claim that they have never been convicted of the offense. It is important to note that expungement is different from sealing of records, as expungement completely removes the conviction from public records. References: https://law.justia.com/codes/arizona/2016/title13/chapter7/article2/ https://www.azcourts.gov/criminal-records/ExpungementAdditional References: Arizona Expungement Laws
