Put the past behind you.
Qualifying convictions can be sealed if you have:- For a felony, no new criminal convictions within 10 years
- For a misdemeanor, no new criminal convictions within 7 years
- Proven rehabilitation if record shows drug dependence
- No more than two convictions previously sealed
- The continued existence of the conviction constitutes manifest injustice
- Never convicted of Class 1 or 2 felony or charge that carries a life sentence
- Not convicted of Class 3 or 4 felony within 20 years
- Not convicted of a felony within 10 years
Articles, studies, and resources about the legislative history behind the sealing legislation and the benefits of sealing a criminal conviction.
Expungement Information Session 1
Expungement Information Session held on October 18, 2023 hosted by the Henrico County NAACP in partnership with the Commonwealth Attorney, Clean Slate Virginia, and NoLef Turns, Inc., and Justice Forward RVA.
Virginia is for Second Chances!
Article on AVVO
Benefits of expunging or sealing a criminal record.
An empirical study from the Harvard Law Review.
A Case Study on Indiana’s expansion of expungement laws.
Learn more about the collateral consequences of criminal convictions.
Research about the benefits of sealing a criminal conviction.
Research from the University of Michigan Law School, titled “Expungement of Criminal Convictions: An Empirical Study”
The Virginia State Crime Commission’s 2021 report about the enacted sealing legislation.
The Virginia State Crime Commission’s 2020 research on sealing and expunging criminal records.
National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Criminal Record Expungement in Santa Clara County
