How long does a felony stay on your record?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Arizona law, a felony conviction does not automatically expire or fall off your record — the provided sources contain no provision for automatic removal, and even when a conviction is set aside, the Department of Public Safety must annotate the record but "may not redact or remove any part of the person's record" . Instead, Arizona offers two remedies:

1. Setting aside the judgment (A.R.S. § 13-905). After completing probation or the sentence and being discharged by the court, a person convicted of a criminal offense may apply to have the judgment of guilt set aside . However, even a set-aside conviction remains usable as a prior conviction, as an element of an offense, and in subsequent prosecutions . Certain offenses — including dangerous offenses, offenses requiring sex offender registration, offenses with a finding of sexual motivation, and felonies with a victim under fifteen — are not eligible for set-aside at all .

2. Sealing the records (A.R.S. § 13-911). A person convicted of an eligible offense may petition to seal records of arrest, conviction, and sentence after completing all nonmonetary terms of the sentence and waiting the required period: ten years for a class 2 or 3 felony, or five years for a class 4, 5, or 6 felony . If the person commits a subsequent felony, an additional five years is added to the applicable waiting period . All fines, fees, and restitution must be paid before filing . If a petition is denied, the person must wait three years before filing a new one . Certain offenses — including dangerous offenses, dangerous crimes against children, serious or violent/aggravated felonies, sex trafficking, and certain class 2–5 felonies in chapters 14 and 35.1 of title 13 — can never be sealed . Even sealed records remain available to law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and other listed entities, and may be used in subsequent prosecutions .

So, in short: absent a successful set-aside or sealing petition, the sources indicate the felony remains on the record indefinitely . Note that the sources do not address how long private background-check companies may report a conviction, which may be governed by federal law — for that question, consult a licensed attorney.