virginia_criminal_procedure
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision | |||
| virginia_criminal_procedure [2026/06/08 16:49] – admin | virginia_criminal_procedure [2026/06/08 16:55] (current) – Add phase groups, context annotations, and descriptive wiki section with internal links for expungement process admin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 327: | Line 327: | ||
| < | < | ||
| < | < | ||
| + | | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| < | < | ||
| Line 828: | Line 845: | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| + | | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | < | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| </ | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====== Expungement of Police and Court Records (Va. Code § 19.2-392.2) ====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | This page models the **record expungement** process in Virginia as amended effective **July 1, 2026**. Expungement removes the police and court records of a charge from public access so that, in the eyes of the law, the event is treated as if it never occurred. Sealed records may afterward be disseminated only in the limited circumstances allowed by [[virginia_expungement_dissemination|§ 19.2-392.3]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | See also: [[virginia_criminal_procedure|Virginia Criminal Procedure]] · [[virginia|Virginia]] · [[jurisdictions|Jurisdictions]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Who can file ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | A person may petition for expungement when one of the following **triggering events** occurs: | ||
| + | * A charge is resolved by **acquittal, | ||
| + | * The petitioner' | ||
| + | * At dismissal, the court finds the **arrestee is not the person named** in the charge. | ||
| + | * The petitioner receives an **absolute pardon** for a crime not committed ([[absolute_pardon|§ 2.2-402]]). | ||
| + | * A court enters a **writ vacating a conviction** ([[writ_of_actual_innocence|§ 19.2-327.5 / § 19.2-327.13]]). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== The process, step by step ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | - **Prepare and file the petition** in the [[circuit_court|circuit court]] for the jurisdiction where the charge was disposed of. Attach the warrant, summons, or indictment if available and state the required facts. See [[expungement_petition|how to prepare an expungement petition]]. | ||
| + | - **Obtain criminal-history records.** Request that the [[ccre|Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE)]] electronically forward the petitioner' | ||
| + | - **The CCRE / [[virginia_state_police|Department of State Police]]** forwards the criminal-history record (and fingerprints) to the court under seal and, where applicable, directs the manner of removal under [[record_removal_procedure|§ 9.1-134]] — validating record accuracy, not eligibility. | ||
| + | - **The clerk dockets** the petition and serves a copy on the [[attorney_for_the_commonwealth|Attorney for the Commonwealth]], | ||
| + | - **Commonwealth review (21 days).** The Commonwealth is the party defendant. If it files no objection within 21 days (and, for a felony, stipulates [[manifest_injustice|manifest injustice]]), | ||
| + | - **Court decision.** For a misdemeanor or civil offense where the petitioner has no prior record, expungement is entered unless the Commonwealth shows good cause. In other cases the petitioner must show manifest injustice. The court enters an order of expungement or denies the petition; an aggrieved party may [[civil_appeal|appeal as in civil cases]]. | ||
| + | - **Post-order.** The clerk forwards the order to the [[virginia_state_police|Department of State Police]], refunds any costs paid on pre-7/ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Roles (swimlanes) ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[petitioner|Petitioner (and counsel)]] | ||
| + | * [[law_enforcement_agency|Law-enforcement agency]] | ||
| + | * [[ccre|CCRE / Department of State Police]] | ||
| + | * [[circuit_court|Circuit Court (clerk & judge)]] | ||
| + | * [[attorney_for_the_commonwealth|Attorney for the Commonwealth]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Key statutes ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[va_code_19.2-392.2|§ 19.2-392.2]] — Expungement of police and court records | ||
| + | * [[virginia_expungement_dissemination|§ 19.2-392.3]] — Dissemination of expunged/ | ||
| + | * [[record_removal_procedure|§ 9.1-134]] — State Police removal procedure | ||
| + | * [[absolute_pardon|§ 2.2-402]] — Absolute pardon | ||
| + | * [[writ_of_actual_innocence|§ 19.2-327.5 / § 19.2-327.13]] — Writ of actual innocence | ||
| + | * [[accord_and_satisfaction|§ 19.2-151]] — Accord & satisfaction | ||
| + | * [[court_costs|§ 17.1-275]] — Costs and refunds | ||
| + | |||
virginia_criminal_procedure.1780937386.txt.gz · Last modified: by admin