What Does it Mean to “Set Aside” a Criminal Record?
Nobody wants to have a criminal record held against them. A criminal history can affect your ability to find employment or housing. You may be wondering what options you have to deal with a criminal conviction once you have completed the terms of your sentence.
One option is to have your conviction record sealed, where you can state that you have never been arrested, charged, or convicted of the crime. In addition to needing to wait for a certain amount of time to have passed, there are specific eligibility criteria that must be met in order for records to be sealed, which are discussed here.
Another option to handle your conviction is to set aside your record per A.R.S. 13-905. This option is open to an individual as soon as all the terms of their sentence have been completed. If the set aside is granted, your criminal conviction will be listed publicly as “Set Aside.“ The court will set aside your judgement of guilt and dismiss the complaint, information or indictment and order that you be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction.
It is important to note that set aside convictions can still constitute a prior conviction if you have any criminal charges in the future.
While you can file your own petition for a set aside, Rideout Law Group is happy to help you as well. Hiring an attorney for this process will give you a better chance of having a successful petition, as they will be able to help you gather and provide the most useful evidence and prevent filing errors.
RIDEOUT LAW GROUP
With offices in Lake Havasu City and Scottsdale, our firm serves the entire state of Arizona, with a particular focus on criminal defense, family law, and juvenile cases.
Our goal is for the best outcome for your criminal case, which can include:
- charges that are reduced or dropped.
- top experts reviewing your case.
- aggressive negotiations with the prosecution for plea bargains.
- fines or probation in lieu of jail time.
At Rideout Law Group, our attorneys are able to expertly examine the evidence in your case to provide a strong strategy for argument that leads to an outcome that is most favorable to you. We have experience in all types of criminal cases for both adults and juveniles, with positive outcomes both in plea negotiations as well as jury trial settings.
Call us today for a free consultation at 480-584-3328.