Arizona uses Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-911 for sealing of arrest, conviction and sentencing records; requirements; fee; appeal; definition. Read those subsections before you draft. The title is only the outline. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-2862 speaks in expungement. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-911 speaks in sealing. They are different orders.
Arizona uses Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-2862 for expungement; petition; appeal; dismissal of complaints; rules. Read those subsections before you draft. The title is only the outline.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 44-1823 deals with power to require testimony and production of records; order of nondisclosure. The subsections are what a petition has to satisfy.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 44-3133 deals with power to require testimony and production of records; order of nondisclosure. The subsections are what a petition has to satisfy.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-3230 deals with federal motor carrier safety administration commercial driver's license drug and alcohol clearinghouse; driving privilege denial; expungement. Driving offenses sit on this side track. The subsections are what a petition has to satisfy.
The petition and the sections next to it
Where petitions fail
State of Arizona v. Damrrion Jacquis Matthews (2026) is worth reading in full. The court held the record outside the statute. The opinion puts it this way: “A court must grant a petition to expunge “unless the prosecuting agency establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the petitioner is not eligible for expungement.” § 36-2862(B)(3).”
Read in this order
- Open Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-911 and read the part on sealing of arrest, conviction and sentencing records; requirements; fee; appeal; definition. Everything else in the filing has to fit that section.
- Ask the clerk which local form that Arizona county uses, then check the form against Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-911.
- Then read State of Arizona v. Damrrion Jacquis Matthews (2026). That is a Arizona court already applying this kind of request.
Frequently asked questions
How do you expunge a criminal record in Arizona?
Arizona uses Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-911 for sealing of arrest, conviction and sentencing records; requirements; fee; appeal; definition. Read those subsections before you draft. The title is only the outline. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 36-2862 speaks in expungement. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-911 speaks in sealing. They are different orders.
How have Arizona courts ruled on expungement and sealing?
State of Arizona v. Damrrion Jacquis Matthews (2026) The court held the record outside the statute. “A court must grant a petition to expunge “unless the prosecuting agency establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the petitioner is not eligible for expungement.” § 36-2862(B)(3).”
County practice in Arizona can add a local form. It cannot replace Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-911.