Richmond Expungement Attorneys

Ensuring Past Criminal Charges Don’t Affect Your Future

Being arrested and charged with a crime in Virginia can be devastating, even if you’re not convicted. This is because your arrest will appear on your criminal record, and being acquitted or having your case dismissed won’t change that. The only way you can get your charges removed from your criminal record is to pursue expungement in order to hide your records from public view.

The simplest way to do this is to contact an expungement attorney who can help you understand the process of getting your record expunged and determine if you’re eligible to initiate this legal process. If you want to learn how expungement works in Virginia, contact Jurach, Tacey&Quitiquit, PLC for a free consultation with skilled criminal defense lawyers.

What Does Expunging Your Record Do?

It’s important to know that court documents addressing any criminal charges you were arrested for are public record, meaning anyone can view them. If you’re worried about the consequences of the public being able to see the details of past arrests, getting your public records expunged is a good idea. This is because expungement hides your records from public view, greatly minimizing the number of people who can see that you were arrested for a criminal offense.

While expungement hides certain criminal charges from your record, it does not remove them. They will remain on your record in case eligible parties – such as law enforcement officers, court officials, and members of government agencies – formally request to see them. They might do so before making decisions on a child custody case, jury selection, protective order case, or eligibility to possess a firearm. In such instances, they must get a court order to view expunged records.

Another situation where expunged records may still be visible is if you apply to work with a government or law enforcement agency that runs certain background checks. So, if you want to apply to work as a police officer or state government official, you might be required to disclose all criminal charges, even the expunged ones.

That being said, most employers don’t have the right to request to view expunged charges, so this legal process will likely benefit you during any future job searches or applications for professional licenses in your industry. Contact our Richmond, VA law firm to learn how our lawyers can help you expunge your criminal records.

Are You Eligible for Expungement in Virginia?

If the benefits of expunging your record appeal to you, the next step is to determine if you qualify for this legal option. The eligibility requirements for expungement in Virginia are quite strict, starting with the fact that you can’t get your charges expunged if you were convicted of the offense you were accused of. So, if you were found guilty of the crime, you can’t remove it from your criminal record, even if you served your time and paid your fines.

Generally, you can only expunge your record if one of the following is true:

• You were acquitted or found not guilty of the criminal offense
• Your criminal charge was dismissed
• The government decided not to pursue your charges in court
• You’re a victim of identity theft, as your name was illegally used by someone else who was charged with a crime
• You were charged with contempt of court in a civil action, but ultimately found not guilty
• You were pardoned after a criminal conviction

If one of these criteria describes your situation, you should contact a Virginia expungement lawyer for help. Keep in mind that the requirements for expungement are different in every state and often change over the years, so it’s best to talk to an attorney to make sure you know the latest rules regarding expungement. At our Richmond, VA, law office, our lawyers stay updated on legal processes like the expungement of court records, so we can let you know your optionsfor keeping your criminal history private.

What Can You Expect from the Expungement Process?

If you believe you qualify to expunge your criminal record in Virginia, you should prepare to prove this to the court. After all, court officials will not typically expunge your court records automatically, so you must advocate for yourself by finding out if you qualify. The most straightforward way to do this is through a free consultation with a Richmond expungement attorney who can guide you through the process.

If you’re eligible, the next step is to file a petition in the circuit court where you were charged, at which point you will need to provide supporting documentation. You might also need to argue why denying the expungement would be a manifest injustice.

While it’s possible to do this without an expungement lawyer, the court cannot give you advice throughout the process like an attorney can. This is why most people find it easier to hire attorneys, especially when they’re trying to expunge more than one criminal charge or have legal questions about past criminal convictions.

Are You Ready to Hire Richmond Expungement Lawyers?

If you’re concerned that a past arrest and charge will make it difficult for you to find a job, earn a professional license, or get housing in the future, contact Jurach, Tacey&Quitiquit, PLC to discuss your options with a skilled expungement lawyer. We understand the effect that a misdemeanor or felony charge can have on your life, even without a conviction.

When you hire an expungement lawyer from our Virginia criminal law firm, you will work with a legal professional who regularly represents clients who wish to minimize the impact of charges and convictions on their record. If you’re ready to learn how we can help you, contact our Richmond, VA law office at 804-531-5524 for a free initial consultation.