Arizona Mugshot Removal & Expungement Guide
How mugshot removal, expungement, and record sealing actually work under Arizona law.
Arizona bans "mugshot website operators" from charging a fee or other consideration to remove or revise a posted criminal record, under A.R.S. §§ 44-7901 and 44-7902 — this applies even to out-of-state operators publishing for a commercial purpose in Arizona. There's no mandatory removal window, but a private right of action allows statutory damages starting at a minimum of $100 per day for the first 30 days and $200 per day after that. The law exempts attorneys, investigators, and process servers acting for litigation purposes.
Arizona created record sealing (A.R.S. § 13-911) in 2021 — note this is sealing, not true expungement, except for marijuana offenses under a separate statute.
- Class 1 misdemeanor: 3 years post-sentence
- Class 2/3 misdemeanor: 2 years post-sentence
- Class 4/5/6 felony: 5 years post-sentence
- Class 2/3 felony: 10 years post-sentence (+5 years if a subsequent felony)
Locate every copy of your mugshot online
Arizona arrest records are commonly scraped and republished across multiple commercial aggregators.
Send a direct removal request
If a site is charging a fee for removal, that alone may violate A.R.S. § 44-7902 — document any such request in writing.
Pursue search-engine de-indexing where the site won't cooperate
Since Arizona doesn't mandate free removal outright, de-indexing is often the more reliable path.
Petition to seal your record where eligible
This restricts future public access, though it doesn't retroactively force a site to remove an already-published photo.
We handle removal cases in Arizona the same way we handle every case: locating every copy of your mugshot online, filing takedown requests within 72 hours, pursuing search-engine de-indexing where publishers won't cooperate, and monitoring afterward for reappearances. Every case starts with a free analysis, backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
State law affects your legal options, but it doesn't determine which website is publishing your mugshot. See our site-by-site removal directory for site-specific removal steps once you know where your listing is.
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws summarized here are current as of publication but change frequently — consult a licensed attorney in your state before relying on them for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Arizona mugshot sites legally charge a removal fee?
No. Under A.R.S. §§ 44-7901/44-7902, a mugshot website operator can't charge a fee to remove or revise a posted record, even if the operator is based outside Arizona.
Does Arizona require mugshot sites to remove my photo?
Not automatically — Arizona bans charging for removal, but doesn't set a mandatory removal deadline. We rely on direct negotiation and search-engine de-indexing to get results.
Is Arizona's record sealing the same as expungement?
Not quite — A.R.S. § 13-911 seals a record from public view rather than erasing it. True erasure is currently available only for marijuana offenses under a separate statute.
How long does mugshot removal take in Arizona?
There's no statutory deadline to enforce, so it depends on the site. Our takedown requests typically go out within 72 hours, with de-indexing following in about 5-7 days.
Get Your Arizona Mugshot Removed
Start with a free analysis — we'll confirm exactly what removal takes under your state's laws.