Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

Expungement question

How do I go about getting a charge expunded from my record and are there any rules to how long ago, the charge, or anything else I should know about?


Asked on 9/01/05, 1:13 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Fred Kaufman Fredrick S. Kaufman, Esquire

Re: Expungement question

VIRGINIA CODE � 19.2-392.2. Expungement of police and court records.

A. If a person is charged with the commission of a crime and

1. Is acquitted, or

2. A nolle prosequi is taken or the charge is otherwise dismissed, including dismissal by accord and satisfaction pursuant to � 19.2-151, or

3. Is granted an absolute pardon for the commission of a crime for which he has been unjustly convicted, he may file a petition setting forth the relevant facts and requesting expungement of the police records and the court records relating to the charge.

B. If any person whose name or other identification has been used without his consent or authorization by another person who has been charged or arrested using such name or identification, he may file a petition with the court disposing of the charge for relief pursuant to this section.

The Code goes on to describe how it is done.

As you can see you can only have records expunged if you are found not guilty or if the prosecutor drops the charge.

Good luck

Read more
Answered on 9/01/05, 7:16 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Virginia