A Landmark Law: Arizona’s 2026 Reform for the Wrongfully Convicted
In 2025, the Senate Bill 1500 (originally House Bill 2813) was signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs. The legislation creates a formal process, beginning in 2026, for individuals who were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in Arizona to seek both financial compensation and the full expungement of their criminal record.
Under this groundbreaking statute, eligible individuals may receive twice the state’s median household income for each year they were wrongfully incarcerated. Additional awards apply for those who were on death row or wrongfully placed on sex offender registries. The law also reimburses legal fees, court costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses tied to the wrongful conviction.
Equally important: the statute mandates the expungement and sealing of all records tied to the wrongful conviction — no longer should an exonerated person carry the stigma of a conviction that never should have stood. Prosecutors, law-enforcement and corrections agencies are barred from disclosing or using the expunged record.
Why This New Law Matters
Wrongful convictions are not only tragic, they inflict lifelong harm — lost years, shattered reputations, barriers to employment, trauma, and psychological injury. Until now, Arizona lacked a clear legal framework to repair such harms. With this law, the State acknowledges its responsibility and extends a path to restoration.
By offering both monetary compensation and mandatory record clearing, the law addresses two critical dimensions: the tangible economic damages and the intangible loss of dignity, freedom and future opportunity. As Rep. Khyl Powell, the bill’s sponsor, stated:
“This law can’t restore the years lost, but it removes the record that never should have existed and provides the support they need to rebuild a life.”
What You Need to Know If You Believe You Were Wrongfully Convicted
If you, a loved one, or client believe you were wrongfully convicted in Arizona, this new legislation could apply. Here are key practical considerations:
- Eligibility: You must have been officially exonerated — meaning a court found you innocent or your conviction overturned. The law sets out formal claim procedures beginning in 2026.
- Compensation: The amount is significant: roughly 200% of the median household income for each year lost behind bars, plus added benefits for special circumstances (e.g., death row, sex-offender registry).
- Record Expungement: All conviction-related records must be expunged and sealed in both state and federal databases; disclosure or use of the old records is forbidden.
- Deadlines: The law allows eligible individuals to file claims — timely action is important.
- Reintegration Support: The statute also provides for mental-health services, educational support and vocational training to assist exonerees in rebuilding their lives.
How Rideout Law Group Can Help
At Rideout Law Group, with offices in Scottsdale and Lake Havasu, we understand that being wrongfully convicted is more than just a legal error — it’s a life-altering injustice that demands full accountability and robust advocacy. If you are navigating this new statutory relief, we can help you:
- Understand the claiming process under the new Arizona law
- Gather and present the evidence needed to prove wrongful conviction
- Advocate for full expungement of conviction records and restoration of rights
- Coordinate support services and maximize the compensation available on your behalf
If you or someone you know is facing the aftermath of a wrongful conviction in Arizona, we invite you to reach out for a free consultation. It’s time to reclaim your name, your rights, and your future.
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact a licensed attorney at Rideout Law Group.