How to Seal a Dismissed Case in Arizona Under A.R.S. § 13-911

Your case was dismissed, so it is behind you. Then a job or an apartment runs a background check, and there it is. In Arizona, a dismissed charge does not disappear on its own. It sits on your record until you take a specific legal step to clear it. This guide explains why that happens and exactly how to seal a dismissed case or arrest under Arizona law.

We handle Arizona record removal and nothing else, so this is the process we run every week. If you would rather skip ahead, take our free dismissed-case eligibility check and we will tell you where you stand.

Does a dismissed case show up on your record in Arizona?

Yes. A dismissal ends the case without a conviction, but it does not erase the arrest, the charge, or the court file. Those records stay public. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards who run a background check will still see the arrest and the dismissed charge unless you seal the record. That surprises most people, because “dismissed” sounds like “gone.” It is not.

Why do dismissed charges still appear on background checks?

Arizona keeps court and arrest records open to the public by default. A dismissal changes the outcome of your case, not the existence of the paperwork. Police reports, booking records, and the court docket all remain searchable. Background-check companies pull from these public sources, so a dismissed charge keeps showing up for years. Sealing is the step that closes those records to public view.

What does it mean to seal a record under A.R.S. § 13-911?

Sealing is governed by A.R.S. § 13-911. When a court seals your record, your case records are closed to public access. You can lawfully state, in most situations like job and housing applications, that the arrest and charge did not occur. The record still exists for limited law-enforcement and court purposes, but the general public, including most employers and landlords, can no longer see it.

Can you seal a dismissed case or arrest in Arizona?

In most cases, yes. A.R.S. § 13-911 lets you petition to seal arrests, charges, and convictions, and dismissed cases are among the strongest candidates because there was no conviction. To seal a dismissed charge, you generally need to have completed any conditions the court set and paid anything you owe. Because a dismissal means the prosecutor could not or did not proceed, these petitions are often the most straightforward to grant.

Which records qualify, and which cannot be sealed?

A.R.S. § 13-911 reaches a wide range of records: arrests that never led to charges, charges that were dismissed, cases that ended in acquittal, and many convictions after a waiting period. Some records are excluded, including serious and violent offenses, dangerous offenses, and certain sex offenses. Dismissed charges usually fall on the eligible side of that line. We confirm your specific case against the statute before you file, because filing on an ineligible record wastes time and money.

How does the sealing process work?

The process has three parts. First, we confirm eligibility and pull your case information from the court. Second, we prepare and file the petition to seal with the court that handled your case, and the prosecutor gets a chance to respond. Third, the judge reviews the petition and, if everything is in order, grants the order to seal. Done right the first time, it is a clean process. A petition that is filed on the wrong record or missing information is where delays happen.

How long does sealing take, and what does the judge consider?

Timelines vary by court, but most sealing petitions resolve in a few months. The judge looks at your eligibility under A.R.S. § 13-911, whether you completed your case conditions, whether you paid what you owed, and any response from the prosecutor. For a dismissed case with no conviction, the judge’s decision is usually more straightforward than it is for a conviction, which is one reason dismissed charges are worth sealing promptly.

What changes after your record is sealed?

Once your record is sealed, it drops off standard background checks. You can answer “no” to most questions about arrests and charges for that case, including on job and housing applications. That opens doors that a lingering dismissed charge quietly closes: employment, professional licenses, housing, and peace of mind. The relief is real, and it is the whole point of sealing.

Can a petition to seal be denied?

Yes. A petition can be denied if the record is not eligible under the statute, if conditions or payments are outstanding, or if the prosecutor objects and the judge agrees. A denial can also set you back, because a second attempt takes more time. That is why we confirm eligibility and file it correctly the first time rather than gamble on a form.

Sealing vs. set-aside vs. expungement in Arizona

These three are not the same, and mixing them up leads people to file the wrong thing:

• Sealing under A.R.S. § 13-911 closes your records to the public. It is the right tool for a dismissed charge or arrest. See our sealing records page.
• Set-aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 releases you from the penalties of a conviction and shows the case as dismissed. It is for convictions, not dismissed cases. See our set-aside page.
• Expungement under A.R.S. § 36-2862 fully clears a record, but in Arizona it applies only to marijuana offenses. See our expungement page.

For a dismissed case, sealing is almost always the answer. For the full breakdown of Arizona’s 2026 law changes in this area, see what changed for clearing your record in 2026.

Why people come to us

We handle Arizona record removal and nothing else. We know which relief fits which case, and we file the path most likely to be granted the first time, because a denial can cost you months of extra waiting. We have sealed dismissed cases across Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, and the rest of the state, and we tell you honestly, before you hire us, whether you qualify.

The bottom line

A dismissed case in Arizona stays visible until you seal it. Sealing under A.R.S. § 13-911 closes those records to the public and gives you a clean answer on background checks. The sooner you file, the sooner it is behind you for good. Take our free eligibility check or call us, and we will tell you exactly what fits your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a dismissed case stay on your record in Arizona?

Yes. A dismissal ends the case without a conviction, but the arrest, charge, and court file stay public and keep appearing on background checks until you seal the record under A.R.S. § 13-911.

How do you seal a dismissed charge in Arizona?

You file a petition to seal under A.R.S. § 13-911 with the court that handled your case, after completing any conditions and paying what you owe. The prosecutor can respond, and the judge decides. Dismissed charges are among the strongest candidates because there was no conviction.

Can dismissed charges be used against you in Arizona?

While they remain public, dismissed charges can show up on background checks and influence employers or landlords. Once sealed under A.R.S. § 13-911, they are closed to public view, and you can state in most situations that the arrest and charge did not occur.

Is a dismissed case the same as a conviction?

No. A dismissed case ended without a conviction. That makes it eligible for sealing under A.R.S. § 13-911 rather than a set-aside, which is the tool for convictions under A.R.S. § 13-905.