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Sealing Criminal Case Records

As of December 31, 2022, a person who is arrested, convicted or sentenced before, on or after December 31, 2022, may petition the court to have their criminal case record sealed. If the court grants the petition under A.R.S. § 13-911, the petitioner would be allowed to state on employment, housing, and financial aid or loan applications that they have never been arrested for, charged with or convicted of the crime that is the subject of the arrest or conviction. The petitioner must apply to seal their records in each court in which they have been convicted. Please read A.R.S. § 13-911 in its entirety.

The sealing of case records refers solely to the records that exist under the control of criminal justice entities including the courts, Department of Public Safety, prosecutor’s offices and law enforcement agencies. Any case record that was published or distributed prior to sealing may still be accessible and may not be impacted by the granting of an order to seal case records.

Rule 36.1 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure authorizes the Administrative Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts to create and modify forms and instructions to seal criminal case records for use by the public in petitioning for sealing of criminal case records. These forms are mandatory forms. Any substantial variation from these forms must first be approved by the Administrative Director. Please note that a petitioner may file a petition that varies from the approved form so long as it includes the information required by this rule and complies with Rule 1.6.
Sealing Criminal Case Records Forms
Form Title Form No.
Petition to Seal Criminal Case Records AOCCRSL1F
Order to Seal Criminal Case Records AOCCRSL2F
Instructions to Complete Petition to Seal Criminal Case Records AOCCRSL1I