A personal and public journey advocating for transparency, fairness, and the protection of children and families in Arizona’s court system.
The purpose of this policy statement is to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability within Arizona’s court system while ensuring that the best interests of children, due process protections, and judicial integrity remain central to all proceedings.
Idid not set out to become an advocate. Like most people, I believed that the systems designed to protect families and seek truth functioned as they should. I assumed that if you presented the facts, the court would see the full picture. It wasn’t until I found myself navigating these systems over several years that I realized how fragmented and opaque the process can truly be.
Navigating the system required asking hard questions.
Several years ago, my family experienced a situation that changed everything.
A loved one was called upon by the State of Arizona to testify in a six-week-long criminal trial involving serious charges — including a murder case. It was an intense and deeply unsettling time for our family.
While the trial itself was difficult, what followed in the years after proved even more challenging.
Over the past five years, we found ourselves navigating not just the emotional aftermath, but a legal landscape that often felt confusing, fragmented, and at times, deeply unfair. We began to see how certain legal mechanisms — particularly those surrounding sealed criminal records under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-911 — could be used in ways that didn’t always align with transparency or the full presentation of facts.
What was intended to give individuals a fresh start sometimes created gaps — where context could be limited, narratives could be shaped, and legal processes could be extended across multiple court systems. In some instances, it opened the door to ongoing litigation that placed additional strain on those who had already participated in the justice process, including witnesses.
Through personal experience, I saw firsthand how the system works — and where it critically fails. It deeply affected my family and those I care about. I sat in rooms where critical context was seemingly invisible, where procedures overshadowed the human reality of what families were enduring.
At first, I just tried to survive it. But as time went on, I started asking questions. Why wasn’t all the information available? Why did it feel like some voices were silenced while others were shielded? I began connecting with others and realized my experience was not an isolated incident.
Speaking up wasn’t a choice I made lightly, but it became a necessary one. The more I learned, the more I understood that silence wasn’t protecting anyone — it was maintaining a status quo that leaves too many families vulnerable.
“That’s when I realized this wasn’t just about one case… it was a bigger issue.”
The goal of this policy initiative is not to undermine rehabilitation or the purpose of record sealing laws, but to ensure that such laws operate in harmony with due process, transparency, and the protection of children and vulnerable parties within Arizona’s justice system.
Situations where full context wasn’t always visible to the decision-makers, leading to rulings based on incomplete pictures of reality.
Deep concerns about how sealed records are utilized—and sometimes weaponized—preventing relevant history from coming to light.
Monumental challenges in family court when deciding what is truly in the best interest of children, often complicated by systemic blind spots.
Growing concerns about fundamental fairness and due process, where the rules seem to apply differently depending on the courtroom.
Witnessing situations where everyday people felt entirely unheard, unprotected, and overwhelmed by procedural maneuvering.
A growing and disturbing concern regarding witness retaliation, making it terrifying for individuals to come forward with the truth.
When the court system operates with blinders on, it isn't just an administrative issue. It affects children. It heavily influences custody decisions, dictating where a child sleeps, who they are influenced by, and their ultimate safety.
It affects long-term outcomes for families trying to rebuild their lives. For courts to make decisions that truly protect the vulnerable, they need full, accurate, and unmanipulated information.
Laws are meant to protect people. They should not create confusion, imbalance, or safe harbors for those who wish to obscure the truth.
“This isn’t about taking sides — it’s about making sure the system works the way it’s supposed to.”
In Plain Terms
A.R.S. 13-911 is an Arizona statute that allows certain criminal records to be sealed from public view. Once sealed, a person can legally state they have not been arrested or convicted of that crime in most situations.
The law was created with good intentions—to offer individuals a second chance, helping them secure housing and employment without the permanent stigma of past mistakes.
Issues arise when these sealed records intersect with other courts, specifically Family Court. If a judge cannot see a history of violence or severe issues because a record is sealed, they risk making decisions with an incomplete and potentially dangerous lack of context. Other courts such as Civil. Concerns arise when sealing becomes a weapon , a recent growing trend of "litigation harassment
Without transparency and proper communication between criminal and family courts, the risk to children increases. We must ensure fairness, prevent the misuse of sealed records as a shield, and maintain complete transparency when child safety is on the line. To further help protect witness and victim from retaliatory litigation. It has been stated by an Az judicial committee representative, "not all judges have access to these sealed records" spoken before the Senate this past March of 2026.
Clear, actionable reform to protect families.
Better transparency in all court proceedings.
Making sure family courts can see relevant context and history when necessary.
Unequivocally protecting the best interests and safety of children.
Preventing the manipulation or misuse of sealed records.
Establishing stronger protections for witnesses coming forward.
Improving overall fairness, consistency, and accountability across the system.
The Center for Judicial Excellence tracked child deaths in the context of separation from 2018 to 2024. Arizona, with 38 children killed by a parent or guardian, ranks No. 1 per capita for child fatalities.
by, Marjorie Perry at https://azmirror.com/ https://azmirror.com/2026/05/20/arizona-leads-nation-in-child-deaths-by-parents-in-custody-cases-a-new-bill-aims-to-change-that
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Arizona Reform Question: Should All Criminal Cases Be Eligible for Sealing? Arizona’s record-sealing law, ARS 13-911, was enacted to provide deserving individuals with an opportunity to move forward after involvement with the criminal justice system. The law recognizes that some people can rehabilitate, rebuild their lives, and should not always face lifelong barriers because of […]
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A Fresh Start: Understanding Arizona’s Record Sealing Law For many years, individuals with a criminal record in Arizona faced significant challenges when applying for jobs, housing, loans, and educational opportunities. Even after completing all court-ordered requirements, a criminal record could continue to create obstacles for years. Fortunately, Arizona enacted ARS 13-911, a law that allows […]
Read MoreA movement requires voices. Whether you want to stay informed, share your own experience, or actively support reform awareness, there is a place for you here.