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If you have a criminal record in Virginia, you might be concerned about how your criminal record can impact your daily life. For some Virginians, criminal record expungement or sealing can be possible. Doing so can help restore your reputation, improve your job prospects, and remove some of the limitations imposed on you by having a criminal record.
Record Sealing and Expungement in Virginia
In Virginia, record sealing or expungement is only available for certain misdemeanor and felony convictions. When your records are sealed, they will no longer be accessible to the public. This means prospective employers, landlords, and other organizations will not see the records when conducting background checks.
It's important to note that although sealed or expunged records are not accessible to the public, they are still maintained by the courts and stored in a secure location. In addition, state agencies such as police departments and other law enforcement entities may still access them if they have obtained a court order or using specific reasons, meaning that your criminal record is not entirely wiped clean.
Virginia’s Record Sealing Law of 2021
In 2021, the General Assembly passed new legislation that will largely expand the eligibility for convictions to be sealed beginning on July 1, 2025. In addition, many convictions will be eligible to be automatically sealed as of October 1, 2025.
Despite this new legislation not going into effect until 2025, you can still seek criminal record expungement now with the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
What Can Be Sealed or Expunged?
Crimes that can be eligible for sealing in Virginia include:
- Underage alcohol possession
- Petit larceny
- Concealment
- Trespassing charges
- Marijuana possession with/without the intent to distribute
- Disorderly conduct
- Class 5 and 6 felonies
- And felony larceny offenses
You can also have your record sealed if:
- You were acquitted of a crime
- The charge was dropped
- The charge was dismissed
If you believe you or a loved one is eligible for record sealing or expungement, contact a trusted criminal defense attorney today to learn more about the process.
Fully Invested In Your Success
At Tobias Iszard, PC, our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about helping our clients fight for their rights and freedoms. With one of our attorneys by your side, you can seek criminal record expungement or sealing and prepare for a positive future.
Do you believe you or a loved one is eligible for criminal record expungement? Call our office at (703) 215-1880 to schedule a consultation today with one of our criminal defense attorneys and learn more about how we can help you move forward from your criminal offenses.
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