Restoration of Rights
Restoring Your Rights in Prescott and Yavapai County
A prior criminal case does not have to define your future. Arizona law provides several avenues to restore civil rights, limit public access to records, and move forward after a conviction. These options are highly fact-specific and depend on the type of offense, how the case was resolved, and your compliance with court requirements.
At Citrenbaum Law, we help clients in Prescott and throughout Yavapai County evaluate and pursue the appropriate path toward restoring their rights.
What “Restoring Your Rights” Means
“Restoration” can take different forms depending on your situation. In Arizona, it may include:
- Restoring civil rights such as the right to vote or serve on a jury
- Restoring firearm rights in eligible cases
- Setting aside a conviction
- Sealing your criminal record from public view
- Obtaining a Certificate of Second Chance
- Ending probation early when appropriate
Each of these remedies serves a different purpose, and some may be pursued together.
Record Sealing (Arizona's New Law)
Arizona now allows many individuals to seal their criminal records, which removes the case from public access in most background checks.
If granted, a sealing order means:
- The case is no longer publicly accessible
- Employers and landlords generally will not see the record
- You may lawfully state that you have not been arrested or charged in most circumstances
Eligibility depends on the offense and the amount of time that has passed since completion of the case. Waiting periods vary, and not all offenses qualify.
Record sealing is often one of the most powerful tools available for moving forward after a criminal case.
Set Aside and Certificate of Second Chance
In many cases, a conviction may be set aside after you have completed all terms of the sentence. While this does not erase the conviction, it updates the record to reflect that the judgment has been set aside.
When appropriate, the court may also issue a Certificate of Second Chance, which can:
- Reduce barriers to employment and housing
- Provide certain protections to employers who hire you
- Demonstrate rehabilitation and compliance with court orders
These remedies are frequently used together and can be an important step even when record sealing is not yet available.
Expungement
Arizona law provides limited opportunities for expungement, primarily in cases involving certain marijuana-related offenses.
If eligible, expungement allows the record to be removed entirely. This is distinct from setting aside a conviction or sealing a record, and the eligibility criteria are narrow.
If you believe your case may qualify, it is worth a careful review.
Early Termination of Probation
In appropriate cases, the court may grant a petition to terminate probation early once you have demonstrated compliance and completed key requirements.
Early termination can:
- Shorten the overall impact of the case
- Allow you to move forward sooner with other forms of relief
- Improve eligibility for record sealing or other post-conviction remedies
Courts will consider factors such as compliance, payment of fines, completion of counseling or treatment, and overall progress.
Restoring Civil and Firearm Rights
For many clients, restoring civil rights is a priority.
Depending on the case, this may include:
- The right to vote
- The right to hold public office
- The right to serve on a jury
- The right to possess firearms (in eligible cases)
The process and timing depend heavily on whether the conviction was a misdemeanor or felony, and whether it involved a disqualifying offense. Firearm rights restoration, in particular, is subject to strict limitations under both Arizona and federal law, and careful analysis is required before pursuing it.
Why Legal Guidance Matters
These processes are not automatic. Each requires a formal application or petition, and the outcome often depends on how the request is presented.
In Yavapai County, local practice, judicial preferences, and the specific facts of your case can all affect the result. A well-prepared petition that clearly demonstrates compliance, rehabilitation, and eligibility can make a meaningful difference.
Moving Forward
If you have completed a criminal case and are looking to move forward, there may be options available to you.
Citrenbaum Law works with clients in Prescott and throughout Yavapai County to evaluate eligibility, prepare petitions, and advocate for meaningful relief.
Contact Citrenbaum Law today for a confidential, no-cost consultation.