Blacksburg Expungement Attorney Helping You Move Forward After A Criminal Case
A criminal record, even without a conviction, can follow you for years. Employers, landlords and licensing boards often rely on background checks that show everything from dismissed charges to old arrests. If you were charged with a crime in Virginia but not found guilty, you may have a chance to clear your name through expungement.
At Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C., our expungement attorney helps people in Blacksburg and the New River Valley understand whether they may be eligible to petition for record expungement. We know the law, the process and the standards that courts use to evaluate these cases. We’ll help you explore the options that may be available to you.
The Impact Of A Public Record
You don’t have to be convicted of a crime for it to show up on a background check. Arrests, dismissed charges and even mistaken identity can appear in a criminal history record and cause lasting damage.
We often assist people seeking to expunge records tied to:
- Student charges, including fake ID use or underage alcohol possession
- Misdemeanors, such as trespassing, property damage or public intoxication
- Arrest records for charges that were dropped, dismissed or resulted in acquittal
- Juvenile incidents, particularly where the person has no other criminal record
Our team will assess your history, walk you through the Virginia expungement process, and help you file a proper petition with the court if you qualify.
What You Should Know About Expungement In Virginia
Not every case will qualify for expungement. But a thorough legal evaluation is the first step. We’ll help you understand:
- How to petition for expungement and meet all legal filing requirements
- What to expect from a court hearing and the standard of proof
- Whether your dismissed charge or arrest qualifies under Virginia Code § 19.2-392.2
- How expungement can impact employment, housing, education and licensing opportunities
We also handle issues involving background check challenges, juvenile record expungement and cases involving manifest injustice where the record continues to cause disproportionate harm.
Common Questions Asked About Expungement
Curious if expungement is possible in your case? Here are a few helpful insights to start with:
What types of criminal records can be expunged in Virginia?
Generally, you may be able to expunge nonconviction records, such as charges that were dismissed, dropped or resolved in your favor. We can review the details of your case and help determine if a petition is appropriate.
How long does the expungement process take in Virginia?
Expungement can take several months from filing the petition to the final court decision. Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the case and the local court’s schedule.
Will an expungement completely remove my criminal record from all databases?
If granted, expungement seals the record from public view. Government agencies may still retain internal access, but employers, landlords and most background checks will not see it.
Talk To Us And Find Out If You Qualify For Expungement
If you’re ready to move on from a dismissed charge or arrest that’s still haunting your record, we can help. Our expungement attorney provides honest guidance, a clear explanation of the law and committed support throughout the petition process. A clean slate might be possible, but it starts with a conversation.
Call 540-315-8799 or send us a message online to schedule a consultation with a Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C., lawyer.