Your Second Chance Starts Here: Arizona’s Certificate of Second Chance Explained

It’s a cliche as old as time: what would you do if you had a second chance? What would you do differently, or what would you not do at all? The possibilities are likely endless, but what if you could get a second chance, legally-speaking? We’ve talked about sealing your record and set-asides before, but the state of Arizona has introduced a provision that literally grants you a second chance if you’ve had prior run-ins with the law. Let’s get into the benefits and the need-to-knows on Arizona’s new Certificate of Second Chance.

It’s hard to succeed out there if you’ve had a past criminal conviction, and the state has recognized that these hardships don’t lend themselves well to keeping individuals with records out of future trouble. The Certificate of Second Chance allows anyone who has already gone through the process of a set-aside to work towards obtaining licenses that they previously would have been barred from holding, including nursing, cosmetology, accounting, and engineering. Where your right-to-work was previously withheld, a Certificate of Second Chance can help you not only get back on the right track, but can possibly lead you to a better one!

There are still some limitations, however, but few should come as a surprise. You are completely ineligible to pursue this option if you were convicted of driving on a suspended license or committed a crime with a vehicle, the victim of your crime was under 15, the crime was sexually motivated, or the crime was physically violent. However, if you committed a Class 4, 5, or 6 felony and 2 years have passed, or you committed a Class 2 or 3 felony and 5 years have passed, you are likely eligible to receive your second chance. Thankfully, you can also apply for a Second Chance on Class 1, 2, and 3 misdemeanors!

Second chances don’t come along every day, and there’s never a better time than right now to get yours. In our ever-shifting economy and political landscape, the best thing you can do for yourself is to give yourself the chance -or the second chance- you deserve to be the best you that you can be. If you’re looking for your second chance, I’m here at Palestini Law to do everything I can to help you secure the chance at the future you deserve. Call Palestini Law today, where we should be your first choice for your second chance!