Arizona Fingerprint Card Suspension

You may be dealing with an Arizona Fingerprint Card Suspension if you are currently dealing with a criminal charge. If your fingerprint clearance card has been suspended you must apply for a Good Cause Exception as a remedy.  You can be able to get your Fingerprint Clearance Card back if your criminal records show that you were not charged or convicted of any precluded offenses (certain criminal convictions that automatically stop an applicant from obtaining a clearance card.

Automatic Denial of Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card

DENIAL: Individuals submit an application to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) with the fingerprint imprint. This happens regardless of if it’s a Level I fingerprint clearance card or a standard fingerprint clearance. DPS then conducts a background investigation on your criminal history statewide and nationwide. In the event there are arrests on your record, DPS counter-checks your criminal convictions with the list that can cause possible denial of your clearance card. Some of these include theft, drug offenses, homicide, assault, and more. These are “precluded offenses.”  In the event a person’s criminal record has precluded offenses, DPS works to find out if the disposition is dismissal, conviction or default.

If there is a conviction: DPS will deny the fingerprint clearance card without the chance to appeal.

Oftentimes, the criminal record doesn’t specify the type of disposition. When this happens DPS performs thorough research with the help of different law enforcement agencies. This allows them to know how the case became final. Within 30 days after the investigation and DPS still does not know such disposition, there will be a DENIAL of fingerprint card. Almost all denials still have a remedy of applying to the Board of Fingerprinting for a good cause exception.

Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card Suspension

A suspension occurs when DPS discovers an individual with a fingerprint clearance card has an arrest for a precluded offense. For example, a cardholder facing conviction for assault will face fingerprint clearance card suspension. In this event, there’s minimal distinction between a denial and suspension for the purpose of good cause exception. When facing criminal conviction for a precluded offense the fingerprint clearance card will likely be lost without opportunity for appeal. In either case, getting a Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card is possible by filing for a good cause exception.

If you’re interested in setting up a consultation with Chelle Law or have questions about a Arizona Fingerprint Card Suspension reach out to us today.