Top Rated Virginia Expungement Attorney • 1500+ Reviews
In Virginia, an expungement is the legal process to remove a criminal arrest or charge from police and court records. The process requires petitioning the Virginia Circuit Court of the jurisdiction where you were originally charged. Expungement of police and court records is not available in cases involving a Virginia conviction. For purposes of expungement, a conviction includes cases where the evidence was found to be sufficient for a finding of guilt even if not convicted. The existence of a criminal record may create a manifest injustice and can negatively affect your career and future – even if you were not convicted. Let us review your case! NOTE: Prior criminal convictions may affect the ability to secure an expungement.
***Our attorneys are licensed to practice law in all Virginia Courts***
Experienced Virginia Criminal Record Expungement Attorney Case Review
Put our experience to work for you – Let us review your case!
30,000+ Clients Represented
60+ Years of Combined Experience
Virginia Expungement Lawyers for Circuit Court Representation
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is a prominent Virginia law firm with over 60 years of combined legal experience. Our lawyers are successful with Petitions for Expungement of criminal records in the Circuit Courts of the Commonwealth. 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 Circuit Court Judges to grant our Petitions for Expungement. Our firm has been positively reviewed more than any other law firm that represents clients in this practice area.
Petition the Circuit Court to Seal Expunge Criminal Record
- Richmond
- Henrico
- Chesterfield
- Hanover
- Goochland
- Charlottesville/Albemarle
- Lynchburg
- Harrisonburg/Rockingham
- Lexington/Rockbridge
- Roanoke
- Blacksburg/Christiansburg
- Abingdon
- Fairfax
- Loudoun
- Prince William
- Alexandria
- Fredericksburg
- Sussex
- Prince George
- New Kent
- Dinwiddie
- Hopewell
- Winchester
- Northern Neck
- Virginia Beach
- Norfolk
- Chesapeake
- Suffolk
- Hampton
- Newport News
- Caroline/Bowling Green
- Colonial Heights
- Petersburg
- Lawrenceville/Brunswick
- Emporia/Greensville
- Middle Peninsula
Petition for Expungement Attorney Virginia Circuit Court Lawyer
A Petition for Expungement to erase or seal a Virginia criminal arrest or charge from police and court records is filed in the 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 Virginia Expungement Attorney for your case because the 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.
Free Consultation with Highest Rated VA Expungement Attorney
Some folks think they do not need help with expunging or sealing the records of their criminal cases. The biggest issues for most are the lack of experience and legal knowledge. The average person does not understand the legal process and is not equipped to properly present the case in the Virginia Circuit Court. Our experienced law firm knows the best tactics for obtaining results. We spend hours in the Courts every week and are familiar with the habits of the different judges and the Commonwealth Attorney’s who handle expungement cases. This specialized knowledge is invaluable in order to present your best case.
Expungement of Criminal Record Cases Are Adversarial
If you have been petitioning to have the police and court records of your Virginia criminal case expunged or sealed, then your case will eventually be set before the Circuit Court. These cases are adversarial by design. This involves a structured and formalized dispute between the petitioner and the respondent. The respondent is the Commonwealth of VA. The Commonwealth Attorney represents the commonwealth. The adversarial system is designed to ensure a fair process subject to the rules of law and evidence by allowing each side to present their case and to be able to challenge the other’s arguments and evidence. The Circuit Court Judge ultimately evaluates the evidence & arguments and makes a ruling.
Expungement Attorneys Argue to Seal Criminal Record
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from over 70 practice areas – including lawyers that handle expungement matters – who have attained a high-degree of recognition for their achievement. Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in the country from various practice areas and firm sizes using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Our Virginia expungement lawyers have been recognized as Virginia Super Lawyers since 2009. No more than five percent of the lawyers in a state are named to Super Lawyers and no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. This recognition is merit based. Retain a Virginia expungement attorney who has been recognized as a Virginia Super Lawyer.
Seal VA Criminal Records for Privacy and Professional Reasons
We understand that the police and court records of your VA criminal case includes 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 courts 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 top rated VA Expungement Lawyer for help with your case.
VA 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 General District Court. We convinced the District Court Judge to enter an order that dropped the case. We then filed a Petition for Expungement in the Circuit Court. A Circuit Court Judge presided on our Petition. The Judge was convinced with the evidence and arguments of our petition. The Circuit Court granted the petition 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.
Let us review YOUR case. We can help!
5/1/2021 | Updated 3/29/2024