Virginia Expungement Lawyers
Helping residents in Alexandria, Fairfax and the entire Northern Virginia area
Do You Need Legal Help?
Serving residents of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Prince William County, Loudoun County, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, Arlington County, Alexandria, City of Fredericksburg, City of Manassas Park, City of Manassas, City of Falls Church, Town of Vienna, Town of Herndon, Town of Occoquan, Town of Dumfries, and all of Virginia.
Download Our Free Legal Guide
Enter your information below to get your FREE download.
Helping you fight back.
Whether you have been charged with a Criminal Offense, Serious Criminal Traffic Offense, or have been injured in an Accident that was not your fault, our First-Class Attorneys are not going to let you become a victim! With our experience, we will fight back, with you and for you, to get the results you deserve.
YOU CAN’T AFFORD A CRIMINAL RECORD
When you trust your Expungement charges to our experienced attorneys, we will work closely with you, from the beginning, to explore all aspects of your case, including:
- Dismissal of your Charge
- Reduction of your Charge
- Possible Defenses
- Plea Bargain Options
- Trial to find you “Not Guilty”
Recent Blog Posts
Why Insurance Companies Fight Fall Accident Claims So Hard in Virginia
Fall accident claims often receive close scrutiny from insurance companies because liability can turn on [...]
Sep
Your First Meeting With a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Virginia: What to Expect
Your first meeting with a criminal defense lawyer in Virginia is usually a focused conversation [...]
Sep
Can a Virginia Conviction Be Sealed? 2026 Rules
Yes. Some Virginia criminal convictions can be sealed from public view under record-sealing laws that [...]
Sep
Constructive Possession in Virginia Drug Cases: What the Commonwealth Must Prove
Constructive possession in Virginia drug cases can become an issue when police find a controlled [...]
Sep
Can a Virginia Reckless Driving Charge Be Reduced in Court? What Judges Consider
Yes. A Virginia reckless driving charge can sometimes be reduced in court. Virginia Code § [...]
Aug
Driving on a Suspended License in Virginia: Penalties, Defenses, and Next Steps
Driving on a suspended license in Virginia can expose you to a Class 1 misdemeanor [...]
Aug
Alexandria DUI Arrests Near College Campuses: What Students Should Know
If you are arrested for DUI near a college campus in Alexandria, Virginia, you may [...]
Aug
Can You Be Arrested for Social Media Threats in Virginia? What the Law Covers
Yes. A social media post, direct message, group chat message, text, email, or other written [...]
Aug
HOW VIRGINIA LAW APPLIES TO YOU
Having handled hundreds of Expungements in virtually all the Courts of Northern Virginia, we understand how critical your criminal record is to you.
Most people don’t realize that even if your charge is “dismissed”, there can still be a number of remaining negative consequences to a criminal or criminal traffic charge. Your Permanent Criminal Record with the FBI and Homeland Security may still reflect the fact that you were charged, which can be considered negatively by current or potential employers.
Don’t let your previous criminal charge or arrest taint your record for the rest of your life! If your case was nol prossed, dismissed, or if you were found not guilty, (without any terms and conditions to the dismissal of the charge on the record), you may be eligible to have the record of your charge and/or arrest EXPUNGED from all court and law enforcement records.
Our expungement attorneys have experience successfully handling Expungements in nearly all the Courts of Northern Virginia, so let us help YOU!
NovaLegalGroup, P.C. also helps residents of Virginia with Legal Matters in: Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Fairfax, Mclean, Oakton, Reston and Springfield.
With our experience in criminal defense, we have successfully handled thousands of cases, many like yours. We make you 3 GUARANTEES that no other law firms we know of in Northern Virginia offer:
OUR 3 UNIQUE GUARANTEES
- When you call us, you will always speak personally with one of our experienced and successful attorneys about your case, NOT a paralegal or secretary!
- We always design a customized “Plan of Action” just for your case and not just a cookie-cutter template!
- We always provide you with a personalized “Payment Plan” to meet your financial needs!
In Virginia, expungement completely destroys criminal records as if they never existed, while record sealing restricts access but doesn’t destroy the records. Expungement is available for acquittals, dismissals, and cases involving mistaken identity. Record sealing is available for certain marijuana convictions and allows records to remain but be hidden from most background checks. The process and eligibility requirements differ significantly between the two options.
Virginia has very restrictive expungement laws for convictions. Generally, you cannot expunge a record if you were convicted or pled guilty. However, you may be eligible for expungement if your case was dismissed, you were acquitted (found not guilty), charges were nolle prossed, or your identity was used in error. Recent changes allow for sealing of certain marijuana-related convictions, and some deferred disposition cases may result in dismissals eligible for expungement.
The Virginia expungement process typically takes 4-8 months from filing to completion. This includes time for gathering records, preparing the petition, filing with the court, serving notice to relevant agencies, waiting for any objections, scheduling a hearing if necessary, and processing the court’s order. More complex cases involving multiple charges or jurisdictions may take longer. Recent changes to Virginia law have streamlined some procedures, but timelines can vary by court.
Yes, a successful expungement in Virginia will remove records from most background checks. The records will be destroyed by police, courts, and the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange. However, some federal databases may retain information, and certain government agencies may still have access for specific purposes. Private background check companies should remove the information, but it may take time for their databases to update.
Virginia expungement costs include court filing fees (typically around $84 per charge), fingerprinting fees, certified copy costs, and attorney fees. The total cost varies depending on the number of charges, complexity of the case, and whether a hearing is required. While some people attempt to file pro se (without an attorney), the complex legal requirements and potential for denial make experienced legal representation a worthwhile investment for most people.
Yes, Virginia law allows you to petition for expungement of multiple charges arising from the same incident or closely related incidents. This can include charges filed in different courts or on different dates if they stem from the same criminal episode. All charges must meet the eligibility requirements for expungement. Filing multiple charges together can be more cost-effective than filing separate petitions.
If your expungement petition is denied in Virginia, you may have options depending on the reason for denial. You can appeal the decision to a higher court, address any deficiencies and refile, or explore alternative options like record sealing for certain offenses. Common reasons for denial include ineligibility, incomplete paperwork, objections from the Commonwealth, or failure to meet legal requirements. An experienced attorney can help evaluate your options and determine the best path forward.
Client Reviews
