How long you wait to clear a record in Alaska
How long you wait in Alaska for each kind of case, and what the waiting period is counted from.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
These are the waiting periods in Alaska law. Each one runs from a set event, like the end of your sentence.
- Main remedy
- Set aside after suspended imposition of sentence (AS 12.55.085(e))
- Waiting periods
- Conviction with suspended imposition of sentence: No waiting period, counted from discharge from probation
Suspended entry of judgment: 1 year, counted from date probation was first imposed
Acquittal or dismissal: No waiting period, counted from date of acquittal or dismissal
When can I file in Alaska?
Pick your kind of case and the date the waiting period runs from. We add the waiting period from the law; nothing else.
Waiting periods: Set aside after suspended imposition of sentence (AS 12.55.085(e))
Convictions where the judge gave you a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) at sentencing and you completed probation
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Conviction with suspended imposition of sentence | No waiting period When probation ends without a sentence being imposed, the court discharges you, usually 30 days after probation ends, and at that time it considers whether to set aside the conviction and give you a certificate. | Discharge from probation |
- Not eligible
- An SIS cannot be given for offenses under AS 11.41.100-11.41.220, 11.41.260-11.41.320, 11.41.360-11.41.370, 11.41.410-11.41.530, 11.46.400, 11.61.125-11.61.128 or 11.66.110-11.66.135 (including homicide, first- to third-degree assault, stalking, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual offenses, robbery, extortion, coercion, first-degree arson, child pornography and sex trafficking), when a firearm was used, or for some people with prior convictions. From July 1, 2026, possession or distribution of generated (AI-made) obscene child sexual abuse material is also excluded for offenses on or after that date. The set aside is only available if you got an SIS at sentencing.
- Limits
- A set-aside conviction still counts as a prior conviction when a court later decides whether you can get another SIS or a suspended entry of judgment. After a set aside, the case is taken off the court system's public CourtView index if every other charge in that case was dismissed, acquitted or also set aside.
Law: AS 12.55.085
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Dismissal after suspended entry of judgment (AS 12.55.078)
Cases where, with the prosecutor's consent, the court deferred judgment and put you on probation instead of entering a conviction
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Suspended entry of judgment | 1 year When you finish probation successfully, the court dismisses the case at the end of probation or any time after one year. You are then not convicted of a crime. | Date probation was first imposed |
- Not eligible
- Not available for serious violent and sexual offenses listed in AS 12.55.078(f), when a firearm was used, for domestic violence crimes, for some people with prior convictions, or (usually) if you already had a suspended entry of judgment; from July 1, 2026 also generated child sexual abuse material offenses
- Limits
- Usually only one suspended entry of judgment.
Law: AS 12.55.078
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Removal of acquitted and dismissed cases from the court's public website (AS 22.35.030)
Criminal cases where you were acquitted of all charges, all charges were dismissed (not as part of a plea deal in another case), some acquitted and the rest dismissed, or dismissed after a suspended entry of judgment
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Acquittal or dismissal | No waiting period The court system may not publish the case on its public website once 60 days have passed. | Date of acquittal or dismissal |
- Not eligible
- Charges dismissed as part of a plea agreement in another case
Law: AS 22.35.030
Source: Official text
Waiting periods: Sealing for mistaken identity or false accusation (AS 12.62.180)
Criminal justice information that, beyond a reasonable doubt, resulted from mistaken identity or a false accusation
| Kind of case | Waiting period | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
Mistaken identity or false accusation | No waiting period You can send a written request at any time. | Any time |
Law: AS 12.62.180
Source: Official text
In nearby states
- Arizona: Arrest with no charges, dismissal, or acquittal: No waiting period, counted from end of the case
- Hawaii: Dismissed, not charged, or acquitted: No waiting period, counted from end of the case
- California: Misdemeanor or felony with probation: No waiting period, counted from end of probation (or early termination of probation)
What to do now in Alaska
Check your dates
The dates on your papers decide when the wait ends.
Look at the exclusions
Some offenses are never eligible, and a new case can restart or stop the clock.
Get the forms
After the wait, the next step is the petition. How to file.
Get help
Legal aid can help for free: Alaska Legal Services Corporation.
Where to get free help in Alaska
Questions about waiting periods in Alaska
Can convictions be cleared in Alaska?
Set aside after suspended imposition of sentence: Convictions where the judge gave you a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) at sentencing and you completed probation. Dismissal after suspended entry of judgment: Cases where, with the prosecutor's consent, the court deferred judgment and put you on probation instead of entering a conviction. Removal of acquitted and dismissed cases from the court's public website: Criminal cases where you were acquitted of all charges, all charges were dismissed (not as part of a plea deal in another case), some acquitted and the rest dismissed, or dismissed after a suspended entry of judgment. Sealing for mistaken identity or false accusation: Criminal justice information that, beyond a reasonable doubt, resulted from mistaken identity or a false accusation.
How long do I have to wait in Alaska?
Conviction with suspended imposition of sentence: No waiting period, counted from discharge from probation; Suspended entry of judgment: 1 year, counted from date probation was first imposed; Acquittal or dismissal: No waiting period, counted from date of acquittal or dismissal; Mistaken identity or false accusation: No waiting period, counted from any time.