Overview
An expungement is a legal process used to remove from public access all police and court records related to a criminal case when any of the following has occurred: acquittal, nolle prosequi, dismissal (excluding delayed imposition dismissals), absolute pardon, or when an individual’s name was used in error.
When a record is expunged, it is not destroyed; instead, it is removed from public access and sealed. Note: Once a record is expunged, it can only be accessed by court order.
Petitions for Expungement are filed in Civil Intake, Suite 319.
Review Procedure
All Petitions for Expungement must be given to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney after they are filed. You must also include a proposed Expungement Order for them to review.
A hearing for an expungement will not be set unless one of the following occurs:
- The Commonwealth’s Attorney does not agree to endorse the proposed Expungement Order; or
- The Court rejects the signed proposed Expungement Order.
Criminal History Report - Request Instructions
To request a copy of your Criminal History Report, please use the online form at:
https://catspublic.vsp.virginia.gov/catspublic/public/publicHome.html
- On that page, use the FORM drop-down menu and select:
SP-356 – Criminal History Name Search for Seal and Expunge Petitions - Complete all required fields on the form.
- When finished, select Confirm to submit your request.
The Virginia State Police will send your Criminal History Report directly to our office. No further action is required on your part.
Forms
