Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
9073 Center St Second floor #5
Phone: (202) 937-0858
Nova Defenders
4120 Leonard Dr A
Phone: (703) 273-6431
Virginia Defense Group
1011 E Main St Suite 203
Phone: (804) 495-2295
Clean Slate Virginia
14321 Winter Breeze Dr
Phone: (804) 248-0400
Jon Katz
10509 Judicial Dr #101
Phone: (703) 884-2194
Riley & Wells
1518 Willow Lawn Dr Suite 200
Phone: (804) 673-7111
Patrick N. Anderson & Associates
333 N Fairfax St #310
Phone: (703) 997-1046
Karin Riley Porter
10505 Judicial Dr #203
Phone: (703) 570-1418
Robinson Law
10486 Armstrong St
Phone: (703) 844-3746
The Gordon Law Firm
10509 Judicial Dr Suite 102
Phone: (703) 496-1094
Alexander Law Office
1000 Greenway Ln
Phone: (804) 814-1489
David A. C. Long
5600 Grove Ave
Phone: (804) 285-3888
Battlefield Law Group
9214 Center St Fl 2
Phone: (571) 364-0500
Driving Defense Law
101 Granby St # 200
Phone: (757) 929-0335
Cody Villalon
100 W Franklin St #301
Phone: (804) 316-0765
Dorsk Law Office
409 Duke St Suite 100
Phone: (757) 423-0271
Scott C. Nolan
10304 Eaton Pl Suite 100
Phone: (703) 589-9309
Wilfred W. Yeargan
11350 Random Hills Rd Suite 800
Phone: (703) 352-9044
David Deane Law
1100 N Glebe Rd #1010
Phone: (703) 596-9946
Virginia Criminal Attorney
4015 Chain Bridge Rd
Phone: (703) 582-8119
Medvin Law Firm
277 S Washington St Suite 210
Phone: (703) 870-3300
Nichols & Green
10615 Judicial Dr #203
Phone: (571) 215-4718
Pickett Law Group
3607 Chain Bridge Rd unit d
Phone: (703) 218-8467
Andrew Flusche
10468 Investors Pl A
Phone: (540) 701-5284
Welch & Wright
716 W 20th St
Phone: (757) 707-8803
JRLaw
1 Columbus Ctr Suite 635
Phone: (757) 447-0080
Jad Sarsour
10521 Judicial Dr STE 300
Phone: (703) 385-6868
Jon Sheldon
10621 Jones St # 301A
Phone: (703) 691-8410
Rudolphi Law
1751 Pinnacle Dr #600
Phone: (703) 596-9566
Larry King Law
11747 Jefferson Ave Suite 3-E
Phone: (757) 595-8100
Matthew Barbero
3640 S Plaza Trail STE 202
Phone: (757) 424-5434
Crowley Peritz Law
10560 Main St STE 501
Phone: (703) 337-3773
Gardner & Burks
9108 Courthouse Rd
Phone: (540) 582-6333
Roanoke Valley Criminal Defense
401 Campbell Ave SW #302
Phone: (540) 585-1776
Curcione Law
999 Waterside Dr #2525
Phone: (757) 777-3700
Darren Meyer
660 Cambridge St
Phone: (540) 840-8470
The Wilson Law Firm
9300 Grant Ave STE 301
Phone: (703) 361-6100
Stanton Law
4932 Dominion Blvd
Phone: (804) 626-9335
Krum, Gergely & Oates
4103 Chain Bridge Rd #401
Phone: (703) 988-3711
Ervin Law
4023 Chain Bridge Rd #5
Phone: (703) 962-7790
Poindexter & Wright Law
1807 S Church St # 200C
Phone: (434) 373-0849
Tom Barbour
100 W Franklin St Ste. 303
Phone: (804) 629-1034
Greenspun Shapiro
3955 Chain Bridge Rd fl 2
Phone: (703) 352-0100
Matthew Kensky
10505 Judicial Dr PH Suite 400
Phone: (703) 459-9597
Hampton Roads Criminal Defense Lawyers
2628 Barrett St Suite 200
Phone: (757) 276-6555
Dischley Law
9255 Center St Ste 300B
Phone: (703) 215-9337
Westendorf & Khalaf
1 Columbus, C St #600
Phone: (757) 961-3311
Calinger Law
2124 Richmond Hwy Suite 303B
Phone: (540) 841-0370
NovaLegalGroup
1507 King St
Phone: (703) 313-2727
Cole Roberts
109 E Main St #200
Phone: (757) 622-3317
Whitestone Young
10513 Judicial Dr #300
Phone: (703) 591-0200
Letnick Law Firm
11211 Waples Mill Rd Suite 320
Phone: (703) 273-4100
Bississo Law
5673 Columbia Pike Unit 201
Phone: (703) 495-3020
King, Campbell, Poretz & Mitchell
118 N Alfred St
Phone: (703) 468-8557
Attorney Anton Karpov
2400 Princess Anne Rd
Phone: (757) 907-9075
Thomas M. Wilson
435 Park St
Phone: (434) 979-0308
Vaughan C. Jones
1622 W Main St
Phone:
Virginia has two paths to clear records. The long standing expungement statute in Chapter 23.1 lets people who were acquitted or had charges dismissed ask a circuit court to remove police and court records from public view. A separate record sealing framework in Chapter 23.2 will expand relief for some convictions and deferred cases, and the General Assembly set most of that program to start in 2026 after statewide systems are ready.
Do I need a lawyer for expungement in Virginia?
You can file on your own using the Virginia circuit court form and the statute. Many people still hire a lawyer because service, fingerprints, and hearings can be confusing and a mistake slows the case. A lawyer also argues any proof of manifest injustice if the Commonwealth objects and makes sure the order reaches every agency that holds your record.
How much does expungement cost in Virginia?
Courts collect standard filing fees and you must also pay for fingerprints. There is no state application portal and you file in the circuit court that handled the case, so local costs vary. The law has removed several petition fees in the new sealing framework, but the petition path for acquittals and dismissals still involves court and service costs today.
How long does expungement take in Virginia?
Most petitions take a few months from filing to order. Timelines depend on how fast you obtain fingerprints, serve the Commonwealth, and get a hearing date. Delays often come from incomplete packets or missed service, so clean paperwork keeps the file moving.
What crimes cannot be expunged in Virginia right now?
The current expungement statute mainly covers dismissed charges and acquittals. It does not erase a conviction except in narrow situations like an absolute pardon for innocence or a vacated conviction. If you pled guilty, the expungement statute is not your remedy and you will need to look at the record sealing law that begins in 2026 to see if your conviction will qualify.
What is the new record sealing law in Virginia?
The General Assembly created a record sealing system that will allow automatic sealing for some lower level convictions and a petition process for others. It is separate from traditional expungement and it focuses on limiting public access rather than destroying records. Most of the sealing program starts in 2026 after courts and state agencies complete technology work and rules.
When does the new Virginia record sealing law take effect?
The legislature delayed implementation so agencies could build the required systems. State summaries show that most automatic and petition based sealing starts July 1, 2026, with some related provisions timed earlier in 2026. Plan on filing under the current expungement statute until the sealing program is live.
How do I apply for expungement in Virginia?
You file a petition in the circuit court using form CC 1473 and attach the required documents. You must obtain fingerprints and the State Police forward your criminal history to the court under seal. If the Commonwealth objects, the judge decides based on the statute, your record, and any proof that public access to the charge would be a manifest injustice.
Do I have to disclose a felony after seven years in Virginia?
Time alone does not remove a conviction from public view. Some employers cannot ask early in hiring, but many applications still ask about criminal history later in the process. Relief comes from a court order or an automatic sealing rule, not the passage of years.
How far back does a Virginia background check go?
A state police criminal history report is based on the record, not a fixed seven year window. Private screening reports often focus on a shorter period, but they still pull public court data. Expungement and sealing change what is accessible, which reduces what a typical check can show.
Will expunged records still be visible to law enforcement or courts?
Yes, access remains for criminal justice purposes. Expungement removes public access but does not erase the fact that a case existed for agencies that are authorized by law to view the file. The new sealing statutes follow the same model and limit public access while preserving specific agency access.
Can a conviction be removed today in Virginia without a pardon?
There is no routine way to expunge a conviction under the current statute unless the case is vacated or you have an absolute pardon for innocence. That is why so much attention is on the coming sealing framework. Until it starts, most people with convictions cannot use expungement to clear them.
What is the difference between expungement and sealing in Virginia?
Expungement under Chapter 23.1 targets arrests and charges that ended in dismissal or acquittal and removes police and court records from public access. Sealing under Chapter 23.2 will cover defined categories of convictions in addition to dismissed cases and focuses on restricting public access across agencies. Both require correct filings and both preserve limited access for courts and law enforcement.
How do I get an absolute pardon in Virginia?
You apply through the Governor and must meet strict standards. An absolute pardon for innocence allows a court to expunge the conviction once the order is entered. This remedy is rare and takes time, so most people use the expungement statute for dismissed charges or wait for the sealing program for convictions.
How should I prepare before filing an expungement petition?
Get certified copies of the final disposition and confirm the case number and charge. Complete fingerprints and keep proof of service on the Commonwealth. Organize facts that show why public access would be a manifest injustice, such as job loss risks or licensing issues, and bring those to the hearing.
Will the new law seal everything automatically in 2026?
No, automatic rules are narrow and the statute lists specific offenses and conditions. Many people will still need to file a petition, and some offenses are excluded entirely. Expect a mix of automatic and petition paths, and plan to collect records early so you can act when the program starts.
What happens after my expungement is granted?
The court order directs agencies to remove the record from public view and to treat the case as expunged. Keep a certified copy of the order because some employers or boards may ask for proof during a background review. Check your record after a reasonable period to confirm that the update has reached the databases.
Can a felon get a job in Virginia after record relief?
Many employers are open to applicants who show progress and provide proof that a record is sealed or expunged. A granted order reduces what appears on common background checks and improves your ability to compete. You still must disclose if a law or license requires it, but most private jobs become easier to reach with proper relief.
Is it legal to record someone in Virginia without consent?
Virginia is a one party consent state for recording conversations. That means one person in the conversation must agree to the recording. Secretly recording a conversation that you are not part of creates legal risk and should be avoided.
How long does it take to seal a conviction once the new program begins?
The statute creates automatic and petition timelines, and courts will set local calendars for petition cases. Automatic sealing will depend on state systems and the rules for eligibility. Petition cases will move like any civil matter, so clean filings and proper service will matter.
Who decides if a petition to seal or expunge is granted?
A circuit court judge reviews the petition, the criminal history provided under seal, and any objection from the Commonwealth. The court applies the statute and weighs the facts you provide. If the judge grants relief, the order controls how agencies must treat the record.
Official Sources
- Virginia Code Chapter 23.1 — Expungement of Criminal Records
- Virginia Code Chapter 23.2 — Sealing of Criminal History Record Information
- Form CC 1473 — Petition for Expungement
- CC 1473 Instructions — Expungement Filed in Circuit Court
- Virginia State Police — Central Criminal Records Exchange
- Virginia State Police — Criminal History Record Check
- Division of Legislative Services — In Due Course 2025 Summary
- LIS — SB1466 Criminal records, expungement and sealing, implementation
- LIS — HB2723 Criminal records, expungement and sealing, amendments
- Office of the Executive Secretary — Criminal Sealing Update
- Virginia FOIA Council — 2025 Legislative Update