A set aside changes how a conviction reads. Sealing takes it off the public record. Future First won a Coconino Sealing Records Felony order that sealed the arrest, charging, and case records on an old marijuana felony under ARS § 13-911.
At a glance
| Original conviction | Attempted sale of marijuana under two pounds (ARS § 13-3405(A)(4)), a Class 4 felony, 2010 |
| Application filed | Petition to seal criminal case records under ARS § 13-911, 2025 |
| Court | Coconino County Superior Court |
| Result | All arrest, charging, and case records sealed |
| Rights restored | Handled through a companion set aside on the same case |
| Time from application to grant | 217 days from application filing to granted |
The challenge
Even after a conviction is set aside, the record still exists. A background check can still turn it up, because the arrest, the charging documents, and the case file all sit in public and law-enforcement databases. For a fifteen-year-old felony marijuana case, that meant the record could still surface on an employer or landlord screen.
The client wanted the case gone, not just relabeled. Sealing under ARS § 13-911 is the tool that closes those records to public view.
What we did
Future First petitioned to seal the criminal case records under ARS § 13-911 in Coconino County Superior Court, on the same case where we had already secured the set aside. We showed the court that the offense was eligible, that the required time had passed, and that the client had completed every term of the sentence.
The court found sealing in the best interests of the client and the public. It ordered the clerk to seal all records relating to the arrest, the charging documents, and the case, and to transmit the order to the Department of Public Safety and the prosecutor. The grant came 217 days after filing. The old felony marijuana case is now closed to public background checks.
What our clients say
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If you have an old conviction in Arizona
Sealing under ARS § 13-911 is newer than the set aside statute and reaches further. A granted petition seals the arrest record, the charging documents, and the court case file, so the offense stops appearing on most background checks. Convictions, dismissals, and no-charge arrests can all qualify, each on its own timeline.
The wait runs from the completion of the sentence, and the required period depends on the offense class. Sealing pairs well with a set aside, and many clients pursue both on the same case. The paperwork is exact, and the prosecutor gets a chance to respond, so precise filings matter.
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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