VIRGINIA EXPUNGEMENT

Expungement attorney serving Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk

A dismissed charge may still appear in public records. Attorney Brook M. Thibault and The Coastal Virginia Law Firm help Hampton Roads residents review whether police and court records qualify for expungement under Virginia Code Chapter 23.1.

How do I expunge my record?
First, obtain the final disposition and identify the exact charge. An acquittal, nolle prosequi or qualifying dismissal may support a petition under § 19.2-392.2. A dismissal after a deferred finding can raise different questions; do not assume every dismissal qualifies. Convictions generally require a separate analysis of sealing or other available relief.

What does the court consider?
The statute addresses whether continued existence and dissemination of the record causes or may cause manifest injustice. It also provides a favorable rule in specified cases involving a person without a prior criminal record and a misdemeanor arrest or civil offense, subject to the Commonwealth’s showing of good cause. The applicable version of the statute and the full history matter.

Where is the petition filed?
For the usual acquittal or dismissal petition, the circuit court in the city or county where the case ended is the starting point. A Virginia Beach resident with a Norfolk case should not assume Virginia Beach is the correct filing court. We review the jurisdiction, disposition and available records before filing. Identity-misuse and other special circumstances have their own procedures.

What should I bring?
Useful starting information includes the charge, case number, court, disposition date and any available order. Explain concrete concerns such as employment or housing screening. We can identify records that still need to be obtained and explain the criminal-history request, notice and hearing process.

How long will it take?
Timing depends on record availability, the court’s schedule and whether the petition is contested. No website can promise a result or a universal completion date. We explain the steps and discuss the likely process for your court.

Hampton Roads consultations
Our office is at 2388 Liberty Way, Suite 200, Virginia Beach. We welcome inquiries about Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk matters. Call 888-402-7117 or use the form to request a consultation. Please do not send Social Security numbers or confidential documents in an initial message.

General information only. Expungement and sealing are distinct procedures, and neither should be treated as an automatic restoration of firearm rights.