Expungement Reform: Giving People a Second Chance

One in three American adults has a criminal record, which can create significant barriers to finding suitable employment and housing. In Virginia, even arrest records that led to no conviction are public and can last a lifetime unless someone navigates the complex process of expungement. For people with criminal convictions, the outlook has been even more bleak—Virginia is one of just a handful of states where no relief is available for conviction records. But this is all about to change.

On July 1, 2026, a record sealing law passed by the General Assembly in 2021 and then substantially amended in 2025 will take effect after a long, difficult wait. For the first time in Virginia’s history, a person with a misdemeanor or low-level felony conviction will be able to have their record sealed from public view. Some of this record sealing will happen automatically.

Visit Justice Forward Virginia Foundation’s Criminal Record Expungement and Record Sealing Resource page for answers to basic questions about this law, eligibility, and how people can get relief from burdensome criminal records.

Criminal Record Expungement and Record Sealing Resource page

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Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Events, Expungement, Mandatory Minimum, Mental Illness, Sentencing

The 2021 Legislative Lowdown

Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Events, Expungement, Mandatory Minimum, Mental Illness, Sentencing

Get the 2021 Legislative Lowdown straight from some our favorite lawmakers. Join Justice Forward Virginia, Senator Jennifer McClellan, Delegate Nancy Guy, and Delegate Jeff Bourne—Monday March 22nd, 2021 at 8PM on Facebook Live.

Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Events, Expungement, Mandatory Minimum, Mental Illness, Sentencing

Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Events, Expungement, Mandatory Minimum, Mental Illness, Sentencing, Trial Penalty

I SURVIVED CRIM SUB-A Post Session Roundup

Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Events, Expungement, Mandatory Minimum, Mental Illness, Sentencing, Trial Penalty

Join us Thursday, March 11 at 7pm for our post session roundup, “I Survived Crim Sub,” a discussion about session, success, and where we go next

Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Events, Expungement, Mandatory Minimum, Mental Illness, Sentencing, Trial Penalty

Drug Reform, Expungement, Pretextual Policing, Sentencing

Justice Forward Virginia Signs on to Letter Asking Virginia Leaders to Legalize Marijuana in the Right Way

Drug Reform, Expungement, Pretextual Policing, Sentencing

On February 9, 2021, Justice Forward Virginia, along with 24 other organizations, sent a letter to Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam and Virginia lawmakers, laying out five criteria for marijuana legalization that will center racial equity and the people and communities most impacted by decades of the War on Drugs.

Drug Reform, Expungement, Pretextual Policing, Sentencing

Expungement, Jury Sentencing, Mandatory Minimum, Pretextual Policing, Sentencing, Trial Penalty, Weekly Roundup

The Results Are In - 2020 Special Session Legislative Priorities

Expungement, Jury Sentencing, Mandatory Minimum, Pretextual Policing, Sentencing, Trial Penalty, Weekly Roundup

We made it through the 2020 Special Session and have lots to celebrate. Find out what happened with Justice Forward’s priority legislation: Jury Sentencing, Pretextual Policing, Earned Sentence Credits, Expungement Reform, and Assault on Law Enforcement Officers.

Expungement, Jury Sentencing, Mandatory Minimum, Pretextual Policing, Sentencing, Trial Penalty, Weekly Roundup

Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Jury Sentencing, Pretextual Policing, Trial Penalty, Sentencing, Expungement

Misdemeanor Offenses: Minor Conduct, Major Consequences

Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Jury Sentencing, Pretextual Policing, Trial Penalty, Sentencing, Expungement

A misdemeanor is a criminal offense punishable in Virginia by a fine up to $2500 or jail time up to 12 months. Despite being minor offenses, misdemeanors have impacts on the lives of the individuals charged far greater than the charge implies. From remaining in jail while awaiting trial if bail can’t be procured or accepting a plea just to get out of jail, just the accusation of a misdemeanor can turn a defendant’s life upside down. This is followed by a criminal record that lasts a lifetime (expungement is not allowed) and can prevent a person from getting jobs and housing as well as increase the likelihood of being arrested again.

Bail Reform, Drug Reform, Jury Sentencing, Pretextual Policing, Trial Penalty, Sentencing, Expungement