This is the next post in my series on sealing criminal records in our state. My last article discussed the process of sealing an Arizona record. It is important to understand that, in many instances, the process of doing so can take at least sixty days. Beginning this process as soon as possible, therefore, is important to those who will be seeking housing or employment in the near future. In this article, I will explain the potential benefit of hiring an attorney to assist you with the process. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
Retaining an attorney to assist you with the process helps to ensure that the matter is handled correctly. This is important due to the fact that, if a Petition is denied, the Petitioner must typically wait three years before again requesting to seal their record. Mistakes that can lead to a Petition being denied include incorrect information in the Application itself, failing to articulate appropriate answers to questions at a possible hearing, and failing to properly respond to objections by either the prosecution or the victims. Counsel will be familiar with your situation and will strive to articulate the best possible response to any concerns which the Court may have.
Another benefit of hiring counsel is that they can help you to determine whether you are, in fact, eligible to commence the process. Filing a Petition before you are eligible to do so can result in its denial as well as a delay to you being able to file a fresh request in the future. It can be easy for an individual to believe that they are eligible to file a Petition when, in fact, they are not. An example of this could include one not understanding that they must wait until a certain number of years after their parole has concluded in order to file. They may, instead, attempt to file the Petition by counting the number of years after they were released from incarceration and not from when their parole was completed. Having counsel, again, can help to avoid such issues.
If you have a criminal record that you believe is eligible for sealing, then contact my office today to speak with a Phoenix record sealing lawyer. My firm is founded on the idea that everyone is entitled to both a second chance and effective representation. My office strives to provide the highest level of service and will make sure that you know what to expect from the process. Contact my office online or by telephone today for your initial appointment. I look forward to speaking with you. My office also serves Maricopa County areas such as Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Gilbert as well as Pima County residents in Tucson. We are also able to assist out of state individuals who need to complete this process.