If you have an arrest record or a criminal charge on your record in Virginia — even if the charge was dismissed, you were found not guilty, or you completed a deferred disposition — that record may still show up on background checks. This can affect your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, or obtain certain professional licenses. An expungement can help clear your record and give you a fresh start.
At Inman & Strickler, P.L.C., our attorneys help Chesapeake residents pursue expungements of eligible criminal records. Virginia’s expungement law was significantly expanded in recent years, and more people may qualify than they realize. We can review your record and explain what options are available to you.
Under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2, expungement is available to individuals who were charged with a crime but were acquitted, had charges nolle prossed (dropped), or received an absolute pardon. Virginia also has a newer process for sealing records in certain cases involving deferred dispositions and some misdemeanor convictions.
Not every record qualifies, and the process involves filing a petition with the circuit court, providing fingerprints, and attending a hearing if required. Our attorneys handle all of this on your behalf.
An expungement in Virginia seals your record from public view, meaning it will not appear on most background checks. However, certain agencies — such as law enforcement — may still have access to the sealed record. An expungement does not erase your arrest or charge from existence. What it does is prevent private employers, landlords, and others from seeing it.
The difference this can make in your daily life is significant. Many of our clients pursue expungements years after an old arrest in order to open new professional and personal doors.
To seek an expungement in Chesapeake, the petition must be filed in the Chesapeake Circuit Court. Our attorneys will prepare all required documents, coordinate with the court and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, and represent you through the process.
For more information about how criminal records affect your life, visit our main Chesapeake criminal defense page. You can also explore our drug charge defense page, our DUI defense page, or contact our office through the Chesapeake criminal defense contact page.
If you have an old arrest or charge on your record that may qualify for expungement, call Inman & Strickler, P.L.C. at 757-486-7055 to schedule a consultation. We will review your record and walk you through your options.
