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Is Your Old Shoplifting Record About to Be Sealed in Virginia?
Expungement2d ago

Is Your Old Shoplifting Record About to Be Sealed in Virginia?

Starting October 1, 2026, Virginia State Police begin sending courts monthly lists of old shoplifting, petit larceny, trespass, disorderly conduct and small-scale marijuana distribution convictions to be sealed. Three rules decide whether yours makes the list, and a free petition covers cases that don't.

ExpungementSep 3

Does an Expunged Case Still Show Up on a Background Check?

Expungement almost never means deletion. Courts, prosecutors, and police usually keep access, a sealed conviction can still enhance a later sentence, and private screening companies sometimes keep reporting a case the court already closed. Here is what relief does, who keeps seeing it, and the exact steps to force a stale report to change.

Gavel Daily EditorialRead
ExpungementAug 25

Virginia's Automatic Sealing Deadline Is October 1. Marijuana Records Already Went First.

Virginia's Clean Slate law has been live since July 1, 2026. October 1 is the deadline for State Police to hand courts the first batch of 112,231 sealable conviction offenses, not the day sealing starts. And old marijuana possession records never needed the batch at all.

Gavel Daily EditorialRead