{"id":279,"date":"2026-03-21T16:10:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T16:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/?page_id=279"},"modified":"2026-03-22T16:21:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T16:21:00","slug":"how-to-expunge-a-record-in-virginia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/how-to-expunge-a-record-in-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Expunge a Record in Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"279\" class=\"elementor elementor-279\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4825d53 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4825d53\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60a84c8 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"60a84c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Expunge a Record in Virginia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50dd04b animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"50dd04b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"177\" data-end=\"274\">Learn the step-by-step process to remove eligible criminal records from public access under Virginia law.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c71cb33 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c71cb33\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cd6b54 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8cd6b54\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-290d0aa animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"290d0aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Expungement Process in Virginia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8e3c9f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f8e3c9f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb8fc7e animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb8fc7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"248\" data-end=\"385\">Expungement in Virginia is a legal process that allows a person to ask the court to remove certain criminal records from public access.The process is governed by Virginia Code \u00a7 19.2-392.2, which sets out the steps required to file an expungement petition.Although the exact process can vary depending on the court and the facts of the case, expungement generally involves the following steps.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba4022a animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ba4022a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">See If You Qualify<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d732a62 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d732a62\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e9e68c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3e9e68c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5e2211 animated-slow e-transform elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d5e2211\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1.03,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/96df53c052e74a5aefc7524e9ba1d727.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-413\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/96df53c052e74a5aefc7524e9ba1d727.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/96df53c052e74a5aefc7524e9ba1d727-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/96df53c052e74a5aefc7524e9ba1d727-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/96df53c052e74a5aefc7524e9ba1d727-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f081a08 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f081a08\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36e6757 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"36e6757\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Confirm Eligibility<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c430410 animated-slow elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"c430410\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c0763a animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2c0763a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"887\" data-end=\"1006\">The first step is determining whether the case qualifies for expungement under Virginia law.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d29450e animated-slow e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d29450e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cbd514 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3cbd514\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-322f5d6 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"322f5d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256c0 136.967-111.033 248-248 248S8 392.967 8 256 119.033 8 256 8s248 111.033 248 248zM227.314 387.314l184-184c6.248-6.248 6.248-16.379 0-22.627l-22.627-22.627c-6.248-6.249-16.379-6.249-22.628 0L216 308.118l-70.059-70.059c-6.248-6.248-16.379-6.248-22.628 0l-22.627 22.627c-6.248 6.248-6.248 16.379 0 22.627l104 104c6.249 6.249 16.379 6.249 22.628.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a66423a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a66423a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dismissal<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cfb538 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2cfb538\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-509a4b2 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"509a4b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-gavel\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504.971 199.362l-22.627-22.627c-9.373-9.373-24.569-9.373-33.941 0l-5.657 5.657L329.608 69.255l5.657-5.657c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941L312.638 7.029c-9.373-9.373-24.569-9.373-33.941 0L154.246 131.48c-9.373 9.373-9.373 24.569 0 33.941l22.627 22.627c9.373 9.373 24.569 9.373 33.941 0l5.657-5.657 39.598 39.598-81.04 81.04-5.657-5.657c-12.497-12.497-32.758-12.497-45.255 0L9.373 412.118c-12.497 12.497-12.497 32.758 0 45.255l45.255 45.255c12.497 12.497 32.758 12.497 45.255 0l114.745-114.745c12.497-12.497 12.497-32.758 0-45.255l-5.657-5.657 81.04-81.04 39.598 39.598-5.657 5.657c-9.373 9.373-9.373 24.569 0 33.941l22.627 22.627c9.373 9.373 24.569 9.373 33.941 0l124.451-124.451c9.372-9.372 9.372-24.568 0-33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b33f0b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b33f0b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Nolle prosequi<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cb7345 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8cb7345\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e915822 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"e915822\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-shield-alt\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M466.5 83.7l-192-80a48.15 48.15 0 0 0-36.9 0l-192 80C27.7 91.1 16 108.6 16 128c0 198.5 114.5 335.7 221.5 380.3 11.8 4.9 25.1 4.9 36.9 0C360.1 472.6 496 349.3 496 128c0-19.4-11.7-36.9-29.5-44.3zM256.1 446.3l-.1-381 175.9 73.3c-3.3 151.4-82.1 261.1-175.8 307.7z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb89eae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb89eae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Not guilty (acquittal)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-200eb67 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"200eb67\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30eaf8c elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"30eaf8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-user-lock\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M224 256A128 128 0 1 0 96 128a128 128 0 0 0 128 128zm96 64a63.08 63.08 0 0 1 8.1-30.5c-4.8-.5-9.5-1.5-14.5-1.5h-16.7a174.08 174.08 0 0 1-145.8 0h-16.7A134.43 134.43 0 0 0 0 422.4V464a48 48 0 0 0 48 48h280.9a63.54 63.54 0 0 1-8.9-32zm288-32h-32v-80a80 80 0 0 0-160 0v80h-32a32 32 0 0 0-32 32v160a32 32 0 0 0 32 32h224a32 32 0 0 0 32-32V320a32 32 0 0 0-32-32zM496 432a32 32 0 1 1 32-32 32 32 0 0 1-32 32zm32-144h-64v-80a32 32 0 0 1 64 0z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa51714 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aa51714\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Stolen identity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba601b4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ba601b4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cde3d4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4cde3d4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6db9f66 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6db9f66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Prepare, File, and Fingerprinting<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d2ada7 animated-slow elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5d2ada7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adeb21f animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"adeb21f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1214\" data-end=\"1407\"><strong data-start=\"1214\" data-end=\"1258\">Step 2: Prepare the Expungement Petition<\/strong><br data-start=\"1258\" data-end=\"1261\" \/>To begin the process, a petition must be filed with the circuit court in the jurisdiction where the charge was filed. The petition must include:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1409\" data-end=\"1593\"><li data-section-id=\"1rk5x2h\" data-start=\"1409\" data-end=\"1449\">Petitioner\u2019s identifying information<\/li><li data-section-id=\"v6gdbt\" data-start=\"1450\" data-end=\"1500\">The charge that is the subject of the petition<\/li><li data-section-id=\"oglrfa\" data-start=\"1501\" data-end=\"1523\">Date of the charge<\/li><li data-section-id=\"wkcrtw\" data-start=\"1524\" data-end=\"1559\">Law enforcement agency involved<\/li><li data-section-id=\"8vkaav\" data-start=\"1560\" data-end=\"1593\">Final disposition of the case<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1827\"><strong data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1639\">Step 3: File the Petition With the Court<\/strong><br data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1642\" \/>The petition is filed in the circuit court, and a copy is provided to the Commonwealth\u2019s Attorney for review. Some jurisdictions allow informal service; others require formal service.<\/p><p data-start=\"1829\" data-end=\"2019\"><strong data-start=\"1829\" data-end=\"1855\">Step 4: Fingerprinting<\/strong><br data-start=\"1855\" data-end=\"1858\" \/>Petitioners are generally required to obtain fingerprints, which are forwarded to the Virginia State Police to prepare a criminal history report for the court.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-caeb08e animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"caeb08e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">See If You Qualify<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0247923 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0247923\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b392a75 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b392a75\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2a0871 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f2a0871\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/98e65bac616d896d1b5439a31db39099.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-352\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/98e65bac616d896d1b5439a31db39099.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/98e65bac616d896d1b5439a31db39099-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/98e65bac616d896d1b5439a31db39099-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/98e65bac616d896d1b5439a31db39099-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dcf451 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4dcf451\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aed4a6f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"aed4a6f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7c6778 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b7c6778\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29e5d90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"29e5d90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"736\" src=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/888c89acb17ff5440ae2484c5f932614.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-399\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/888c89acb17ff5440ae2484c5f932614.jpg 736w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/888c89acb17ff5440ae2484c5f932614-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/888c89acb17ff5440ae2484c5f932614-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f86b5fa e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f86b5fa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff4845d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ff4845d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0aea0fb animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0aea0fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Court Review and Decision<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88f9990 animated-slow elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"88f9990\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57bb6a9 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"57bb6a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"2083\" data-end=\"2449\"><strong data-start=\"2083\" data-end=\"2128\">Step 5: Court Review and Possible Hearing<\/strong><br data-start=\"2128\" data-end=\"2131\" \/>After the criminal history report is received, the court reviews the petition. The Commonwealth\u2019s Attorney may waive a hearing. Otherwise, the court schedules a hearing to determine whether expungement should be granted. Courts consider whether the continued existence of the record would cause a manifest injustice.<\/p><p data-start=\"2451\" data-end=\"2712\"><strong data-start=\"2451\" data-end=\"2477\">Step 6: Court Decision<\/strong><br data-start=\"2477\" data-end=\"2480\" \/>If the petition is granted, the court enters an order of expungement directing the appropriate agencies to remove the record from public access. Once processed, the record will generally no longer appear on most background checks.<\/p><p data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2892\"><strong data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2744\">How Long the Process Takes<\/strong><br data-start=\"2744\" data-end=\"2747\" \/>The timeline varies depending on the court and complexity of the case. Many cases take several months from filing until the record is expunged.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e77877 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8e77877\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a06e351 e-con-full e-transform animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a06e351\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1.03,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9db604 e-transform animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e9db604\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"455\" height=\"260\" src=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/c811cc3a422cac82f6b9211c49a67c90.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-417\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/c811cc3a422cac82f6b9211c49a67c90.jpg 455w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/c811cc3a422cac82f6b9211c49a67c90-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0062f7e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0062f7e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d462f3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5d462f3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c8a818 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9c8a818\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Determining Whether You Qualify &amp; Learn More<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b21a2f1 animated-slow elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b21a2f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4684a4 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f4684a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3028\" data-end=\"3134\">The first step in the expungement process is determining whether your case qualifies under Virginia law.This eligibility check can help determine whether expungement or record sealing may be available based on your situation.<\/p><p data-start=\"3291\" data-end=\"3343\">You may also want to explore these related guides:<\/p><ul data-start=\"3345\" data-end=\"3512\"><li data-section-id=\"1g9psli\" data-start=\"3345\" data-end=\"3381\">Virginia Expungement Eligibility<\/li><li data-section-id=\"s3ncr6\" data-start=\"3382\" data-end=\"3426\">What Charges Can Be Expunged in Virginia<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1n3yt3z\" data-start=\"3427\" data-end=\"3472\">Expungement vs Record Sealing in Virginia<\/li><li data-section-id=\"asx7ti\" data-start=\"3473\" data-end=\"3512\">Virginia Record Sealing Eligibility<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efdcaca e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"efdcaca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f448421 e-con-full e-transform animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f448421\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1.03,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c225807 e-transform animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c225807\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cea579e6aab4b7c761b7d3ddb492b9cf.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-419\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cea579e6aab4b7c761b7d3ddb492b9cf.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cea579e6aab4b7c761b7d3ddb492b9cf-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Expunge a Record in Virginia Learn the step-by-step process to remove eligible criminal records from public access under Virginia law. The Expungement Process in Virginia Expungement in Virginia is a legal process that allows a person to ask the court to remove certain criminal records from public access.The process is governed by Virginia [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-279","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=279"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":422,"href":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/279\/revisions\/422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.codegland.com\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}