The client wanted an old Class 1 misdemeanor behind them. Future First won a Surprise Set Aside Misdemeanor order under ARS § 13-905, set aside the judgment, and secured a Certificate of Second Chance.
At a glance
| Original conviction | Threatening or intimidating (ARS § 13-1202), a Class 1 misdemeanor, 2018 |
| Application filed | Application to set aside conviction under ARS § 13-905, with a Certificate of Second Chance, 2025 |
| Court | Surprise Municipal Court |
| Result | Judgment of guilt set aside, charge dismissed, Certificate of Second Chance issued |
| Rights restored | Not applicable, misdemeanor conviction |
| Time from application to grant | 96 days from application filing to granted |
The challenge
A Class 1 misdemeanor is the most serious misdemeanor class in Arizona, and a conviction stays on the record permanently unless a court acts. The client had completed every term of the sentence years earlier and had stayed out of trouble since. The old conviction still reached into job applications and licensing.
The client wanted the judgment set aside and a Certificate of Second Chance to remove the licensing and employment barriers the conviction had created.
What we did
Future First filed the Application to Set Aside Conviction under ARS § 13-905 in Surprise Municipal Court, paired with a request for a Certificate of Second Chance. We documented full completion of the sentence and the clean record since.
The court found the client met every statutory requirement. It set aside the judgment of guilt, dismissed the charge, released the client from the penalties and disabilities of the conviction, and issued the Certificate of Second Chance. The certificate lifts barriers to occupational licensing and provides protections for employers and housing providers. The order came 96 days after filing.
What our clients say
Read reviews from Future First clients on Google and on our client reviews page.
If you have an old conviction in Arizona
A set aside under ARS § 13-905 does not delete a conviction, but it changes how it reads. The court’s order shows the judgment was set aside and the charge dismissed. For most misdemeanors, you become eligible once you finish every term of the sentence.
A Certificate of Second Chance goes further. It removes many licensing barriers and gives employers and housing providers legal protections that make them more comfortable saying yes. Set aside and sealing pair well, and many clients pursue both on the same case.
Related resources
Call us
Want to clear your record in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-900-7625 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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