The bill SB1639 amends the current law regarding the sealing of case records for criminal offenses in Arizona. Key changes include the removal of the prohibition against individuals who have been subsequently convicted of any offense (except non-DUI traffic misdemeanors) from petitioning to seal their records. Additionally, it allows individuals whose records have been sealed and who later commit a felony to petition for sealing those records after a specified waiting period, rather than only those with historical prior felony convictions. The bill also stipulates that petitioners must have paid all fines, fees, and restitution before filing for sealing, and it modifies the eligibility criteria for sealing records related to specific offenses.

Other notable provisions include extending the timeframe for the court to grant or deny a petition from 30 to 60 days, specifying that a petition cannot be granted if the petitioner has a pending charge that could lead to a disqualifying conviction, and clarifying that dangerous offenses are ineligible for sealing. The bill also makes technical changes and requires the Board of Fingerprinting to consider sealed records as a mitigating circumstance when evaluating applications for fingerprint clearance cards. Overall, these amendments aim to provide more opportunities for individuals with criminal records to have their records sealed, thereby facilitating their reintegration into society.

Statutes affected:
House Engrossed Version: 13-911
Chaptered Version: 13-911