What does 'set aside' mean in Arizona?

An Arizona set aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 sets aside the judgment of guilt, dismisses the charges, and releases you from most penalties and disabilities flowing from the conviction. However, unlike expungement, the conviction record is not sealed or destroyed - it remains in public court records and the AZ DPS criminal history database. The record shows the original conviction plus a notation that it was set aside. Employers and licensing boards can still see both pieces of information.

Does Arizona have expungement?

Arizona did not have traditional expungement until Proposition 207 (2020) created a pathway for qualifying marijuana offenses. SB 1294 (2023) added a limited sealing mechanism for certain offense categories after waiting periods. For most other criminal records, the set aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 is the primary relief available - which reduces legal consequences but does not remove the record from public view. Arizona's legal relief options remain more limited than states like Illinois, California, or New Jersey.

How do I remove my case from the Arizona Courts website?

The Arizona Courts public access portal (apps.supremecourt.az.gov/publicaccess) allows public case searches. After a sealing order under SB 1294 or a Prop 207 expungement, contact the court clerk with certified documentation to request that the case be restricted from public access. A set aside alone does not result in restriction - the case record including the set aside notation remains visible. Third-party sites that indexed the data before restriction must be addressed separately.

Does an Arizona set aside show on background checks?

Yes. An Arizona set aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 does not seal or remove the conviction from public records. Background check companies can access both the original conviction and the set aside notation through Arizona court records and the AZ DPS database. The set aside may positively influence how a conviction is perceived, and it provides certain legal protections in employment and licensing contexts - but it does not prevent the record from appearing in most commercial background checks.

Can I remove a marijuana charge from my Arizona record?

Yes, potentially. Arizona Proposition 207 (2020) created an expungement pathway for certain marijuana-related offenses that are now legal under current Arizona law. Qualifying offenses include possession, consumption, and transport of 2.5 oz or less of marijuana, possession of up to 12.5 grams of concentrate, marijuana paraphernalia, and cultivation of 6 or fewer plants. Petitions are filed with the court of original conviction. If granted, records are expunged from Arizona's criminal history system - though third-party websites must still be addressed separately.

Does removing a court record from Arizona's court portal also remove it from background checks?

No. Removing a record from the state court portal is a separate step from removing it from background check databases. Background check companies maintain their own databases and don't automatically sync with court portal changes. After your court record is sealed or removed from the state portal, you need to separately notify background check companies and submit documentation of the legal change.

How long does it take to remove Arizona court records from Google?

Removing Arizona court records from Google typically takes 4-10 weeks. The process includes: (1) requesting removal from source pages (state court website, legal databases), (2) submitting Google URL removal requests, and (3) following up as Google processes the de-indexing. We work all sources simultaneously to minimize the total timeline. Results are confirmed before charging.

Does expungement remove my records from the internet?

No - expungement is a court order that seals your record from government databases, but it does not automatically notify or update third-party websites, background check companies, or legal databases like Justia, UniCourt, or Spokeo. You must pursue online removal separately after obtaining your expungement. This is a critical distinction most attorneys do not explain upfront.

Can employers see expunged records?

In most states, private employers cannot access expunged records through standard background checks. However, certain licensed professions (healthcare, law, education, finance) and federal government positions may still require disclosure. The rules vary significantly by state and by type of employer, so consult a local attorney to understand your specific obligations.

How long does expungement take?

The expungement process typically takes 3 to 12 months depending on your state, the court's caseload, and whether the prosecutor objects. Some states have expedited processes for certain offense types. After the court grants the order, you should allow an additional 30 to 90 days for government databases to update - and online third-party sites may never update without a separate removal request.

What is the cost of expungement?

Expungement costs range from $150 to $400 in court filing fees, plus attorney fees of $1,000 to $3,500 depending on complexity. Some states offer fee waivers for low-income applicants. After expungement, online record removal is a separate service that operates on a results-only basis - you only pay after the records are confirmed removed.

What does 'set aside' mean in Arizona? +

An Arizona set aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 sets aside the judgment of guilt, dismisses the charges, and releases you from most penalties and disabilities flowing from the conviction. However, unlike expungement, the conviction record is not sealed or destroyed - it remains in public court records and the AZ DPS criminal history database. The record shows the original conviction plus a notation that it was set aside. Employers and licensing boards can still see both pieces of information.

Does Arizona have expungement? +

Arizona did not have traditional expungement until Proposition 207 (2020) created a pathway for qualifying marijuana offenses. SB 1294 (2023) added a limited sealing mechanism for certain offense categories after waiting periods. For most other criminal records, the set aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 is the primary relief available - which reduces legal consequences but does not remove the record from public view. Arizona's legal relief options remain more limited than states like Illinois, California, or New Jersey.

How do I remove my case from the Arizona Courts website? +

The Arizona Courts public access portal (apps.supremecourt.az.gov/publicaccess) allows public case searches. After a sealing order under SB 1294 or a Prop 207 expungement, contact the court clerk with certified documentation to request that the case be restricted from public access. A set aside alone does not result in restriction - the case record including the set aside notation remains visible. Third-party sites that indexed the data before restriction must be addressed separately.

Does an Arizona set aside show on background checks? +

Yes. An Arizona set aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 does not seal or remove the conviction from public records. Background check companies can access both the original conviction and the set aside notation through Arizona court records and the AZ DPS database. The set aside may positively influence how a conviction is perceived, and it provides certain legal protections in employment and licensing contexts - but it does not prevent the record from appearing in most commercial background checks.

Can I remove a marijuana charge from my Arizona record? +

Yes, potentially. Arizona Proposition 207 (2020) created an expungement pathway for certain marijuana-related offenses that are now legal under current Arizona law. Qualifying offenses include possession, consumption, and transport of 2.5 oz or less of marijuana, possession of up to 12.5 grams of concentrate, marijuana paraphernalia, and cultivation of 6 or fewer plants. Petitions are filed with the court of original conviction. If granted, records are expunged from Arizona's criminal history system - though third-party websites must still be addressed separately.

Does removing a court record from Arizona's court portal also remove it from background checks?+

No. Removing a record from the state court portal is a separate step from removing it from background check databases. Background check companies maintain their own databases and don't automatically sync with court portal changes. After your court record is sealed or removed from the state portal, you need to separately notify background check companies and submit documentation of the legal change.

How long does it take to remove Arizona court records from Google?+

Removing Arizona court records from Google typically takes 4-10 weeks. The process includes: (1) requesting removal from source pages (state court website, legal databases), (2) submitting Google URL removal requests, and (3) following up as Google processes the de-indexing. We work all sources simultaneously to minimize the total timeline. Results are confirmed before charging.

Arizona State Guide · 2026

Arizona Expungement, Set Aside & Court Record Removal

Arizona's criminal record relief system is built around a concept called "set aside" - a mechanism under A.R.S. § 13-905 that marks a conviction as set aside and releases the person from most disabilities flowing from it, but critically does not seal or destroy the record. The conviction remains visible in public court records and background checks, alongside a notation that it was set aside. For Arizona residents hoping to clear their online footprint, this creates a particularly challenging situation: even after obtaining a set aside, the original record - and often the set aside order itself - remains publicly searchable. This guide covers Arizona's set aside process, the newer Prop 207 marijuana expungement, the 2023 sealing legislation, and the complete online removal strategy needed to address what legal relief alone cannot fix.

By Anthony Will Est. 2013 Published May 27, 2026 Published May 27, 2026 Read time: 16 min

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Arizona Expungement, Set Aside & Court Record Removal

Can your Arizona court record be removed from Google?Find out — free.

Can your Arizona court record be removed from Google?
Find out — free.