Expungement in Newport News & Hampton Roads, VA

Clearing Your Record

Expungements are legal actions used to clear all police and court records regarding a specific criminal case. Before you pursue the expungement of your record in Virginia, you will want to learn about the process and how it must be navigated. At Larry King Law, our Newport News criminal defense lawyer can help you determine whether your case qualifies. The following is important information regarding expungements:

Qualifications for Expungement
Based on Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, expungement is only available for individuals who are found innocent of their charges or if the charges are somehow dismissed. If you are granted a pardon for the crime for which you have been unjustly convicted, you can file a petition for expungement.

Expungement Process
You will need to petition for expungement if you qualify. One form of expungement is to obtain a Certificate of Actual Innocence. This is a certificate that does more than just seal the prior record. It also provides proof that a record should have never existed in the first place. The petition for expungement, along with a set of fingerprints, must be filed with the circuit court in the city or county of which the charge was dismissed. A copy of the petition will also need to be filed with the commonwealth attorney's office in that city or county.

Legal Guidance from Our Newport News Criminal Lawyer

Depending on the type of offense and the time since the final disposition, juvenile records in Virginia are expunged when the individual reaches the age of either 19 or 29. If you need to have your record expunged, our firm can help you through the process.

We offer free case evaluations to discuss the best routes and the probability of successful results for potential clients. If you have any questions or would like further information on the process, do not hesitate to contact us at once. You can obtain representation from our experienced and professional lawyer!