Arizona uses record sealing (A.R.S. 13-911) rather than traditional expungement for most offenses, plus true marijuana expungement (36-2862). You file a petition in the court that handled your case, and once granted, the record is sealed from public view or erased.

Under A.R.S. 13-911, you petition the sentencing court after your waiting period (2–10 years, depending on the offense class). If granted, your arrest, charge, and conviction are sealed from public and most employer background checks.

A set-aside under A.R.S. 13-905 vacates the judgment of guilt and adds a notation that the case was set aside. The conviction still exists, but you are released from most of its penalties, which helps with employment and licensing.

A set-aside vacates the judgment but the record stays public; sealing (13-911) hides the arrest and conviction from public view. Many people do both: set aside the conviction, then seal the record for the strongest protection.

Yes. Under Proposition 207 and A.R.S. 36-2862, you can petition to expunge a qualifying marijuana arrest, charge, or conviction, and it is truly erased, not just sealed. Petitions have been available since July 2021.

You apply to the court under A.R.S. 13-925 to restore your right to possess a firearm after a felony. Eligibility and waiting periods depend on the felony class and whether it was a dangerous or serious offense.

Without action, a conviction stays on your record for life and appears on background checks. Sealing, set-aside, or expungement is the only way to limit or remove it, and Arizona now allows all three for many offenses.

A sealed record (13-911) should not appear on most private background checks. A set-aside conviction still appears but shows the “set aside” notation, signaling the court relieved you of the conviction’s penalties.