Mesa, Arizona · A.R.S. §§ 13-907, 13-908
Restore Civil Rights in Mesa, AZ
Mesa residents with a felony conviction may need to restore their civil rights — the right to vote, serve on a jury, and hold public office. Arizona simplified this in 2022: under HB2119, first-time felons get automatic restoration when probation is discharged. Repeat offenders, out-of-state convictions, and pre-2022 cases without auto-restoration require an application under § 13-908.
Filing in Mesa — local details
Where to file
Maricopa County Superior Court – Southeast Regional Center
Southeast Regional Court Center, 222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210
E-filing
Available — Mesa cases follow Maricopa County's eFiling system. Use the Clerk's Office Online Portal for criminal cases (separate from AZTurboCourt).
Payment methods
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, money orders, or law-firm/business checks. NO personal checks accepted at any Maricopa County clerk location.
Prosecutor service
Maricopa County Attorney's Office (handles Mesa cases)
301 W. Jefferson St., 8th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Alternate filing locations
Mesa filers may also use the Central Court Complex (201 W. Jefferson, Phoenix) for criminal filings, especially when filing alongside other Maricopa cases. The Southeast Regional Court at 222 E. Javelina is closer for East Valley residents.
Parking & access
Free parking is available adjacent to the Southeast Regional Court at 222 E. Javelina. The Mesa courthouse is near the Mesa Drive light-rail station for those using public transit.
Processing time
Mesa cases are filed in Maricopa County's system, so processing times match Phoenix: 60-90 days for uncontested petitions. The Southeast Regional Court handles intake, but petitions may be heard at the Central Court Complex depending on judge assignment.
Judge assignment
Sealing petitions are routed to the original sentencing judge when possible. East Valley criminal-bench judges typically hear local cases; some petitions may be reassigned to downtown Phoenix depending on the judge's current calendar.
After-hours filing
After-hours filing depositories are available at the Central Court Complex in downtown Phoenix. The Mesa Southeast Regional Court accepts in-person filings during business hours.
What restore civil rights does
Does
- Restores the right to vote
- Restores the right to serve on a jury
- Restores the right to hold public office
- Issues a Certificate of Restoration of Civil Rights as proof
Doesn't
- Does not restore firearm rights — separate process under § 13-910
- Does not erase or set aside the conviction (use § 13-905 for that)
- Does not affect federal civil rights (e.g., federal jury service)
- Does not affect immigration consequences
The statute, in plain terms
Section 13-907 (auto-restoration, HB2119, effective September 24, 2022) restores civil rights automatically for first-time AZ felons upon probation discharge or absolute discharge from prison. Section 13-908 covers everyone else: repeat offenders apply in the convicting county; out-of-state and federal convictions apply in the AZ county of residence. § 13-908 was amended by HB2119 to remove the prior 2-year waiting period — you can apply immediately upon discharge.
Note for Mesa filers: For most ${city.name} residents with a single Arizona felony, civil rights are auto-restored at probation discharge — no application needed. The Arizona Supreme Court's decision in State v. Begay (2026) confirmed that the end of probation is the trigger date.
Mesa Restore Civil Rights FAQ
Are my civil rights already restored in Mesa?
Probably yes, if you're a first-time AZ felon discharged after September 24, 2022. Check by requesting a recent driving record from the AZ MVD or a public-records lookup of your case. If your record shows the conviction is closed and probation is discharged, your rights are likely auto-restored. If you have a second felony, an out-of-state conviction, or were discharged before September 2022, you need to apply.
Where do I file a § 13-908 application in Mesa?
For Arizona convictions, file in the convicting court — the Maricopa County Superior Court – Southeast Regional Center at 222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210. For out-of-state or federal convictions, file in the Superior Court of your AZ county of residence (Pima, Maricopa, etc.). The hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday.
What documents do I need to restore civil rights?
You need a Discharge from Probation order (from your probation department) or an Absolute Discharge from Imprisonment (from ADOC, if you served prison time). For Mesa residents, contact the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department for discharge confirmation. Prison-discharged petitioners contact the AZ Department of Corrections, 1601 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix.
Does restoration include firearm rights?
No. Civil rights restoration (vote, jury, office) is separate from firearm rights restoration. Firearm rights are governed by § 13-910 and have their own waiting periods (2 years for most felonies, 10 years for serious offenses, permanent bar for dangerous offenses). Many petitioners file both at once — civil rights under § 13-908 and firearm rights under § 13-910.
How long does the application take in Mesa?
Mesa cases are filed in Maricopa County's system, so processing times match Phoenix: 60-90 days for uncontested petitions. The Southeast Regional Court handles intake, but petitions may be heard at the Central Court Complex depending on judge assignment. Restoration applications are generally faster than sealing petitions because there's no statutory waiting period and prosecutor objections are rare for first-time offenders. Maricopa County Attorney's Office (handles Mesa cases) can be reached at (602) 506-3411.
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