A felony conviction carries an immense weight, not just in fines or jail time, but in the immediate loss of fundamental rights. When you are convicted of a felony in Arizona, you lose the right to vote, the right to serve on a jury, and the right to possess a firearm. Rights restoration is the process of getting these back.
You have completed your sentence, you have paid your debt, and you are ready for a new future. So, what is the process for reclaiming your full rights as an Arizonan in 2026?
The process involves two separate, but related, legal steps: Civil Rights Restoration and Firearm Rights Restoration. The rules are complex, but the outcome—full citizenship—is worth the effort.
Part 1: Rights Restoration for Civil Rights (Voting, Jury Duty)
For many Arizonans with a single felony, this part of the process is now highly streamlined.
Automatic Restoration for First-Time Felonies (A.R.S. § 13-907)
If your conviction meets the following criteria, your civil rights (right to vote, hold office, serve on a jury) are likely restored automatically:
- You were convicted of only one felony offense in Arizona.
- You successfully completed your probation or received an absolute discharge from imprisonment.
- You have paid all court-ordered victim restitution.
A Crucial Note: While automatic, it is highly recommended to file an application to restore your rights anyway. This gives you a clear court order to show the Department of Elections, which is necessary to re-register to vote and confidently exercise your rights.
When You Must File an Application (A.R.S. § 13-908)
You must formally apply to the Superior Court if any of the following are true:
- You have two or more felony convictions in Arizona.
- Your felony conviction occurred in another state or in federal court (you file for restoration in the Arizona county where you now reside).
- You still owe outstanding fines or fees (though the judge may restore your rights before all fees are paid).
Part 2: Restoring Your Firearm Rights (The Right to Possess)
The restoration of your Second Amendment right to possess a firearm is rarely automatic and requires a formal application process known as the Application for Restoration of the Right to Possess a Firearm (A.R.S. § 13-910).
The rules are strict, and applying too early or for an ineligible crime will result in a denial.
Waiting Periods for Gun Rights
The time you must wait after your final discharge and completion of all sentences (including Set Aside, if applicable) depends entirely on the crime classification:
| Offense Type | Waiting Period After Discharge |
| Non-Serious/Non-Dangerous Felony | 2 years |
| Serious Offense (A.R.S. § 13-706) | 10 years |
| Dangerous Offense (A.R.S. § 13-704) | Not Eligible |
IMPORTANT: Possessing a firearm without your rights formally restored is a serious felony offense in Arizona. Do not risk it—get a court order first.
The Role of the Set Aside in Rights Restoration
You may have read our other posts about the Set Aside. A key benefit of having your conviction Set Aside (under A.R.S. § 13-905) is that it automatically restores your civil rights. It also automatically restores your right to possess a firearm, unless you were convicted of a “serious offense.” We always incorporate rights restoration into our Set Aside strategy to get you the most comprehensive relief possible.
Our “New Year, New Future” Commitment
The process for restoring your civil and gun rights is detail-oriented, requiring you to gather documents like Certificates of Discharge and financial payment histories.
As part of our New Year campaign, the team at Castillo Law is offering a Free Eligibility Review to analyze your case history, determine your exact waiting period, and manage the entire restoration process for you.
Your right to participate fully in our democracy and protect your family is non-negotiable. Let us help you reclaim it.
Start My Free Rights Restoration ReviewOr call Castillo Law at (480) 206-5204 to speak with our team.
