For many years, Arizona stood unique in its approach to criminal record modification. Unlike other states, Arizona did not offer the option to completely expunge a record. The closest alternative was the act of setting aside a conviction under state regulations. Contrary to expungement, which removes or seals a record, setting a conviction aside does not completely hide the record from those who might inquire, like prospective landlords, employers, or even the judicial system. Rather, it adds an annotation to the record, indicating the conviction or arrest has been formally set aside.
Setting aside a record in Arizona isn’t without its merits. By achieving this, it indicates that a person has satisfied all the stipulated eligibility criteria, inclusive of fulfilling all sentence conditions. This can position an individual in a more advantageous light in the eyes of potential landlords or employers. Furthermore, under the existing laws, having a record set aside might also lead to the reinstatement of firearm ownership rights.
Until the summer of 2021, Arizona held the unique distinction of being the only state that lacked a mechanism for individuals to expunge or seal their criminal records. For those aiming to amend their criminal past and leave mistakes behind, setting aside a conviction remained their sole recourse. But with the introduction of recent expungement reforms in Arizona, this landscape has witnessed a significant shift.