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Seal My Record Now

Bisbee, Arizona · A.R.S. § 13-911

Seal a Criminal Record in Bisbee, AZ

Arizona's record-sealing law (A.R.S. § 13-911) lets eligible Bisbee residents petition the Cochise County Superior Court to hide their criminal record from public view. Once sealed, the record is removed from public access and most employer background checks; you can legally state on most applications that it never happened. Bisbee is the Cochise County seat — a historic mining town in Southeastern Arizona. The Cochise County Self-Help Center actively supports pro se filers with set-aside, sealing, and firearm-rights restoration forms, making Cochise one of the more accessible counties for self-filing.

Check eligibility → Call (480) 923-7570
Arizona record sealing eligibility flowchart A decision tree showing who qualifies to seal a criminal record under A.R.S. § 13-911. The flowchart starts with whether the offense was a serious felony, then asks about waiting period, prior denial status, and outstanding obligations to determine if the petitioner is eligible, must wait, or is barred. Sealing Eligibility (§ 13-911) Arizona Revised Statutes — record sealing pathway Conviction in Arizona court Excluded under § 13-911(O)? Sex offenses, victim under 15 YES → BARRED Not eligible NO ↓ Waiting period elapsed? Class 4-6: 5 yr · Class 2-3: 10 yr · Misd: 2-3 yr measured from absolute discharge NO → WAIT Come back later YES ↓ Probation discharged + restitution paid? No active warrants or pending charges prior denials trigger 3-year wait NO → CURE FIRST Pay, discharge YES ↓ ELIGIBLE TO FILE Petition the original court $0 court filing fee · 60-day window What sealing does • Hides record from public • Hides from most employers • You can legally state on most applications it never happened Exceptions: law enforcement, AZPOST, child / vulnerable adult work

Filing in Bisbee — local details

Where to file

Cochise County Superior Court

Cochise County Superior Court, 100 Quality Hill Rd., Bisbee, AZ 85603

Phone: (520) 432-8600
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday

E-filing

Cochise County offers eFiling through the AZ statewide system for civil and criminal cases. Self-represented filers may file paper documents in person at either the Bisbee main courthouse or the Sierra Vista branch.

Required for: Attorneys (per administrative order). Optional for self-represented filers.

Payment methods

Cash, cashier's checks, personal checks, credit cards, money orders.

Court filing fee for this service is $0 — no payment is required at the clerk's window.

Prosecutor service

Cochise County Attorney's Office

150 Quality Hill Rd., Bisbee, AZ 85603

Phone: (520) 432-8700

Alternate filing locations

Cochise County operates a branch courthouse in Sierra Vista at 100 Colonia de Salud — closer for Sierra Vista, Fort Huachuca, and Benson residents. The Bisbee main courthouse remains the primary filing location.

Parking & access

Free parking in the front lot of the courthouse. The historic Bisbee courthouse sits at the top of Quality Hill Road overlooking the town.

Processing time

Cochise County processing times are typically 60-120 days for uncontested petitions. The court has six divisions across Bisbee and Sierra Vista, which spreads case volume.

Judge assignment

Cochise has six Superior Court divisions across two locations. Sealing petitions go to the original sentencing judge when possible.

After-hours filing

In-person and mail filings only. Mailing address: P.O. Drawer CK, Bisbee, AZ 85603. The Bisbee Self-Help Center (520-432-8513) provides set-aside, sealing, and firearm-rights restoration forms for pro se filers.

What seal a criminal record does

Does

  • Hides the record from public view
  • Removes from most employer background checks
  • You can legally answer "no" to "have you ever been convicted" on most applications
  • Civil rights stay restored (if already restored under § 13-907)

Doesn't

  • Does not affect law-enforcement, AZPOST, or court access to the record
  • Does not seal records used in subsequent criminal cases (priors still apply)
  • Does not seal child-related employment background checks (DCS, DDD, schools)
  • Does not affect immigration consequences of the conviction

The statute, in plain terms

Section 13-911 establishes waiting periods based on offense classification: 2 years for misdemeanors (with a 3-year period for certain offenses), 5 years for Class 4-6 felonies, and 10 years for Class 2-3 felonies. The waiting clock starts from absolute discharge (probation discharge or release from custody, whichever is later). Offenses excluded under subsection (O) — including certain sex offenses, offenses against victims under 15, and select dangerous-offense classifications — cannot be sealed at all.

Note for Bisbee filers: Sealing took on its current form in September 2024 (SB 1639), which removed the prior-felony 5-year extension and increased the prosecutor-response window from 30 to 60 days.

Bisbee Seal a Criminal Record FAQ

Where do Bisbee residents file a § 13-911 sealing petition?

Petitions are filed with the Cochise County Superior Court. The criminal filing counter is at 100 Quality Hill Rd., Bisbee, AZ 85603. Hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Cochise County operates a branch courthouse in Sierra Vista at 100 Colonia de Salud — closer for Sierra Vista, Fort Huachuca, and Benson residents. The Bisbee main courthouse remains the primary filing location.

Is there a court filing fee in Cochise County?

No. Arizona courts charge $0 to file a § 13-911 sealing petition. The legislature deliberately removed filing fees so that record-clearing remedies remain accessible. Some attorneys quote "filing fees" but there are none — it's only the service fee for petition preparation.

Can I e-file my petition in Cochise County?

Cochise County offers eFiling through the AZ statewide system for civil and criminal cases. Self-represented filers may file paper documents in person at either the Bisbee main courthouse or the Sierra Vista branch. Attorneys (per administrative order). Optional for self-represented filers.

How long does sealing take in Bisbee?

Cochise County processing times are typically 60-120 days for uncontested petitions. The court has six divisions across Bisbee and Sierra Vista, which spreads case volume. The 60-day waiting period is required by statute — the court cannot rule sooner. Sealed orders typically issue within 7-14 days of the 60-day mark if uncontested.

What if the prosecutor objects to my petition?

Cochise County Attorney's Office has 60 days from filing to object. If they object, the court schedules a hearing. Most petitions in Bisbee are decided on the papers without a hearing — objections are uncommon when the petition is properly prepared and the petitioner is statutorily eligible. The prosecutor's office can be reached at (520) 432-8700.

Ready to seal a criminal record in Bisbee?

Free 3-minute screening tells you exactly whether you qualify under A.R.S. § 13-911.

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