The charge was dismissed after diversion, but the arrest still showed up on background checks. Future First filed the Sealing Records Application and the Glendale City Court granted it in 10 days under ARS § 13-911.
At a glance
| Original charge | Disorderly Conduct-Fighting (ARS § 13-2904(A)(1)), Class 1 Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence designated, 2024 (dismissed, no conviction) |
| Application filed | Sealing Records Application (ARS § 13-911), 2026 |
| Court | Glendale City Court |
| Result | Sealing Record Granted. Arrest and charge records sealed from public view. |
| Rights restored | Not applicable. No conviction entered, so no civil or firearm rights were lost. |
| Time from application to grant | 10 days from application filing to granted |
The challenge
The client faced a Class 1 Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct-Fighting charge under ARS § 13-2904(A)(1) in Glendale City Court. The case carried a Domestic Violence designation. The client completed the prosecutor’s diversion program and the case was dismissed in 2026.
A dismissal closes the case but does not remove the arrest. The arrest entry, the charging documents, and the dismissed charge stay in court databases and on commercial background reports. Employers and landlords who run a background check see a disorderly conduct entry with a DV tag, not the dismissal. For a licensed professional in healthcare, that flag triggers questions the client should never have to answer. The only way to remove it from public view is to seal it.
What we did
Future First filed the Application to Seal Records under ARS § 13-911 in Glendale City Court. The application documented the dismissal after successful diversion completion, full monetary compliance, the absence of any other criminal matters before or after the incident, and the factors the court weighs under § 13-911. The firm submitted a mitigation letter explaining the client’s professional standing, sustained law-abiding conduct, and active community service work.
Glendale City Court reviewed the application and the supporting record. The judge signed the order. Sealing Record Granted on the dismissed Disorderly Conduct charge. The case file is sealed from public view. Background checks that consume the sealed-records database no longer return the case.
What our clients say
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If you have a dismissed case in Arizona
Arizona’s record sealing law, ARS § 13-911, covers more than convictions. It lets people seal records of arrests and charges that ended in dismissal or acquittal. A dismissed case is one of the cleanest sealing candidates because there is no conviction and no sentence to complete. The wait period is short and the eligibility analysis is direct.
Glendale City Court handles every Glendale city-charged misdemeanor case. The court runs its own sealing workflow, separate from Maricopa County Superior Court. Other Arizona cities operate municipal courts on similar lines. The 10-day grant cycle in this case reflects a clean record, a prepared application, and a court ready to move on a straightforward dismissal.
Domestic Violence designated misdemeanors carry extra weight on background checks even after dismissal. Sealing closes that exposure. After the order, the dismissed case no longer appears on standard background checks, and the client can lawfully state that the arrest did not occur in most non-law-enforcement contexts.
Related resources
Call us
Want to clear your record in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-900-6240 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of Arizona record removal applications across every statute path. The cleanup is permanent and the process moves faster when handled by a firm that knows the local court.
Anonymized in line with firm policy. Client name not used. Specific dates approximated to year only. Outcome described reflects this client’s actual results. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. For more detailed information on Arizona record removal law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.
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