Henrico County VA Expungement Lawyer & Criminal Record Sealing Attorney
A Henrico County criminal record can affect employment, licensing, housing, education, background checks, and future opportunities even when the case did not result in a conviction. Riley & Wells helps people evaluate criminal record relief options in Henrico County, including expungement, petition-based record sealing, and Clean Slate eligibility. Traditional expungement has generally focused on charges that were dismissed, nolle prosequi, or ended in an acquittal. Beginning July 1, 2026, Virginia’s record sealing laws may expand the relief available for certain eligible criminal records, including some convictions. Virginia law controls who qualifies, but the local court record still matters. If your case was handled in Henrico County, the final disposition, court file, criminal history, and the circuit court filing requirements may affect whether expungement or sealing is available. Riley & Wells can review your record, explain whether relief may be available, and help you understand the next steps for seeking relief through Henrico County Circuit Court.
Related Henrico Defense Pages
- Henrico County VA Overview
- Henrico Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Henrico Petit Larceny Lawyer
- Henrico Shoplifting Defense Attorney
- Henrico Grand Larceny Lawyer
- Henrico Firearm Rights Restoration
For broader statewide guidance, see our Virginia Expungement Attorney page.
Experienced Henrico VA Lawyers for Expungement of Criminal Record
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is a prominent local Henrico County VA law firm with over 60 years of combined legal experience. Our lawyers are successful with Petitions for Expungement of criminal records in the Henrico Circuit Court. We are recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report. The criminal records to be expunged from police and court files may include a felony arrest or a misdemeanor charge. We have a long track record of success with convincing Henrico County Circuit Court Judges to grant our Petitions for Expungement. We are located in Henrico County a few miles from the Courthouse. Our firm has been positively reviewed more than any other law firm that represents clients in Henrico County.
Most Rated Henrico VA Expungement Lawyer Review
Petition for Expungement Attorney Henrico County VA Circuit Court Lawyer
A Petition for Expungement to erase or seal a Henrico VA criminal arrest or charge from police and court records is filed in the Henrico County Circuit Court. The mere filing of a Petition for Expungement does not automatically mean that the petition will be granted and that the criminal record of your case will be erased. Retain the best Henrico County VA Expungement Attorney for your case because the Henrico Commonwealth Attorney as respondent for the Commonwealth can object to the Petition. Such an objection does not mean you will lose. Ultimately it is up to the Judge on whether the Petition to Expunge is granted and the police and court records are sealed.
Petitions for expungement in Henrico County are typically handled in Henrico Circuit Court. Understanding which court handles the petition can help you better prepare for the filing process, required paperwork, and what to expect as the case moves forward.
Free Henrico VA Consultation with Top Rated Expungement Lawyers
The biggest issue with representing yourself in a Henrico County expungement case is lack of experience. Expungement cases are adversarial in nature and most folks in this situation lack experience on how to handle their case before the Henrico Courts. Our top rated Henrico VA expungement lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining the best results. Our lawyers spend hours in the Henrico County VA Courts every week and are familiar with the habits of the different judges and Commonwealth Attorneys that handle these cases. This local knowledge is invaluable when petitioning the Henrico Courts to have a court or police record sealed.
Henrico Criminal Record Relief: Expungement, Sealing & Clean Slate Options
Virginia criminal record relief is changing. Traditional expungement has generally focused on Henrico County criminal charges that were dismissed, nolle prosequi, or ended in an acquittal. Beginning July 1, 2026, Virginia’s record sealing laws expand the possible relief available for certain criminal records, including some eligible convictions. This means a person with a Henrico County criminal record may need to review more than one possible path: expungement, petition-based record sealing, automatic sealing, or another form of criminal record relief.
The correct option depends on the charge, the final disposition, the date of the case, whether there was a conviction, whether the offense is excluded from relief, and whether the matter must be filed by petition in Henrico County Circuit Court. Riley & Wells reviews Henrico record-relief cases by examining the court file, final order, criminal history, and the specific type of relief that may be available under Virginia law.
Henrico Criminal Convictions Can Be Sealed Effective July 2026
Effective July 1, 2026, certain Henrico County criminal convictions may become eligible for sealing under Virginia law. This is different from traditional expungement, which has generally focused on charges that did not result in a conviction. Some eligible records may be sealed automatically, while many others will require a petition, supporting documentation, and review by the appropriate court. For Henrico County cases, petition-based relief may require filing in Henrico County Circuit Court and presenting the matter to a judge.Record sealing can be important for people concerned about employment, housing, licensing, education, and background checks. A sealed Henrico criminal record may no longer be visible to many employers, landlords, and private background-screening searches, but sealed records can still be available in certain limited circumstances allowed by law. Because eligibility depends on the exact offense, disposition, waiting period, criminal history, and statutory exclusions, it is important to review the Henrico case record before assuming a conviction can be sealed.
Henrico VA Expungement Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a lawyer rating service of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas including expungement cases who have attained the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This organization recognizes the top lawyers nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes. Our Henrico County VA expungement lawyers have been recognized by this publication since 2009. No more than five percent of the Virginia lawyers are named to this list and no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. This recognition is merit based. Retain a top rated Henrico VA expungement attorney who has been recognized with this elite award.
Seal Henrico VA Criminal Records for Privacy and Professional Reasons
We understand that the police and court records of your Henrico County VA criminal case include sensitive information. That sensitive information may still be visible in court and police records even if the case was dismissed. Many clients elect to seal the police and court records of their criminal cases if they have the opportunity. Do not lose an educational or professional opportunity — if possible — because of a criminal charge that did not result in a conviction. Virginia law prohibits an employer or educational institution from requiring an applicant to disclose information concerning a criminal charge that has been expunged. Contact a Henrico County VA Expungement Lawyer for help with your case.
Henrico Expungement & Record Sealing FAQ
Can a Henrico County criminal charge be expunged?
A Henrico County criminal charge may be eligible for expungement if the case ended in an acquittal, nolle prosequi, or another qualifying dismissal. Eligibility depends on the exact charge, the final disposition, the court order, and whether the case is treated as a conviction for expungement purposes.
Where is a Henrico expungement petition filed?
A petition to expunge a Henrico County criminal charge is generally filed in Henrico County Circuit Court. The petition process requires accurate case information, supporting records, notice to the Commonwealth, and court review before an expungement order can be entered.
Can the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney object to an expungement?
Yes. The Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney may object to a petition for expungement. An objection does not automatically mean the petition will be denied, but it can require a court hearing where the petitioner must present the legal and factual basis for expungement.
Is record sealing the same as expungement in Virginia?
No. Expungement and record sealing are related forms of criminal record relief, but they are not always the same. Traditional expungement usually applies to certain charges that did not result in a conviction. Virginia record sealing laws may provide relief for additional records, including some eligible convictions, beginning July 1, 2026.
Can Henrico criminal convictions be sealed after July 1, 2026?
Some Henrico County criminal convictions may become eligible for sealing under Virginia law beginning July 1, 2026. Eligibility depends on the offense, waiting period, criminal history, statutory exclusions, and whether the record qualifies for automatic sealing or requires a petition filed with the court.
Will a sealed or expunged Henrico record disappear from every background check?
Not always. Expungement or sealing may limit public access to a criminal record, but some records may remain available in limited circumstances allowed by law. Private background check companies may also need to be contacted separately if they previously collected information about the case.
Henrico Expungement Lawyer Sealing a Criminal Record Granted by Judge
In this case, our client was accused of soliciting a prostitute. The client’s criminal case was filed with the Henrico General District Court. We convinced the District Court Judge to enter an order that dropped the case. We then filed a Henrico County VA Petition for Expungement in the Circuit Court. Judge Wallerstein was the presiding Judge on our Petition. The Judge was convinced by our petition, granted it, and ordered the police and court records of our client’s case to be expunged or sealed. Click on image to see court order. NOTE: Private background check companies may possess records related to cases that have now been expunged. Contact them directly for removal of the expunged records.
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5/4/2021 | Updated 5/3/2026