Virginia Record Clearing
How the Preliminary Screening Works
This short screening asks a limited set of questions about a Virginia case and provides a preliminary next step. It may identify a possible expungement path, a possible petition-based sealing path, an automatic-sealing issue, or the need for attorney review.
The screening is informational and preliminary. It does not provide legal advice, make a final eligibility determination, create an attorney-client relationship, or guarantee representation.
What the Preliminary Screening Is Designed to Do
The screening helps identify an appropriate next step without attempting to replace a complete legal review.
Confirm the Service Area
The screening first confirms whether the case was filed in Virginia. Cases filed outside Virginia are outside the scope of this service.
Identify a Possible Path
The answers may indicate a possible expungement path, petition-based sealing path, automatic-sealing issue, or need for attorney review.
Connect You With the Next Step
When review may be appropriate, the screening provides access to the Law Office's secure MyCase intake form.
A preliminary result is not a final determination of legal eligibility.
What Information Does the Screening Consider?
The questions are intentionally limited. More detailed information may be requested after the Law Office reviews the intake submission.
Where the Case Was Filed
The screening confirms that the case was filed in Virginia and asks for the city or county and court type, if known.
How the Case Ended
The screening asks whether the case ended in dismissal, nolle prosequi, acquittal, accord and satisfaction, deferred dismissal, conviction, or an unknown result.
Charge and Case Details
You may be asked about the number of charges, known case numbers, charge names, and final disposition dates.
Other or Pending Cases
The screening asks whether there are other charges, convictions, or pending criminal cases that may require additional review.
Additional Legal Considerations
Certain answers may identify issues that require attorney review, including immigration-related considerations.
Records You May Already Have
You may be asked whether you have paperwork showing how the case ended or the original charging document. These records are helpful but are not required to complete the preliminary screening.
You do not need every court document before beginning. If the case moves forward, the Law Office will explain what additional information or records may be required.
How the Case Result Shapes the Preliminary Path
How the case ended is one of the first factors considered.
No Conviction Result
Possible Expungement ReviewA dismissal, nolle prosequi, not guilty or acquitted result, or accord and satisfaction may point toward a possible expungement review.
Official court records and connected charges may still affect the final analysis.
Conviction or Deferred Dismissal
Possible Petition-Based Sealing ReviewA conviction or deferred dismissal may point toward a possible petition-based record-sealing review.
Virginia sealing law contains exceptions and limitations that require attorney review.
Uncertain or Complex Result
Attorney Review May Be NeededIf the case result is unknown, the answers conflict, or other criminal matters are involved, the preliminary result may recommend attorney review.
What Result Might You Receive?
The result is a preliminary routing decision, not a final legal conclusion.
Possible Expungement Review — The answers suggest that the case may warrant review for a possible expungement path.
Possible Petition-Based Sealing Review — The answers suggest that the case may warrant review for a possible petition-based sealing path.
Attorney Review Recommended — The screening could not identify a clear path, but the case may still warrant manual review by the Law Office.
Automatic-Sealing Rules May Be Relevant — The type of charge may involve automatic-sealing rules. The result may provide official resources and an option to request review.
Outside Virginia Service Area — If the case was not filed in Virginia, this record-clearing service does not apply.
You May Complete the Screening Without Every Document
Knowing the case number and having court paperwork may make later review more efficient, but these records are not required to receive a preliminary screening result or request review.
Records that may be requested later include:
- Case number
- Final disposition or court order
- Warrant, summons, indictment, or charging document
- Records relating to additional charges or convictions
- Other case-specific documents requested by the Law Office
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. They do not create an attorney-client relationship.