Define Fillable Fields In Legal Virginia Expungement Forms For Free

The current expungement process in Virginia requires the individual charged with the offense to file a petition and fingerprints with the circuit court, pay a filing fee, and possibly attend a hearing on the matter.

Even if the judge is sympathetic to your reason for needing an expungement, the judge can only grant an expungement if your situation meets the requirements for an expungement. You may always file the case without an attorney (?pro se?).

The filing fee is $98 (includes service fee). Fees must be paid by cash, certified check, money order or personal check (no starter checks will be accepted). Checks and money orders may be made payable to "Clerk of Circuit Court." Credit cards will not be accepted for the filing fee of the petitions for an expungement.

The process can be difficult and because it requires filing a petition in circuit court, many applicants find it helpful to work with a Virginia expungement lawyer who can advise them as to whether they may qualify for an expungement and who will advocate appropriately on their behalf to help achieve the desired ...

In 2021, the Virginia General Assembly passed a new law that will greatly expand eligibility for record sealing. Non-convictions, many misdemeanor convictions, and some felony convictions will be eligible for sealing, and some of these records will be automatically sealed instead of the typical court process.

If the court grants the expungement, this charge will not appear when someone runs a background check on you. Conversely, if the charge is dismissed and you don't get an expungement, the charge will appear on your record but it will show that the charge was dismissed.