I've been doing some research on how to get my record expunged in Virginia and if I'm understanding this correctly they are saying I cannot because Virginia is a Commonwealth. Is this correct? I currently have 2 felonies and 1 misdemeanor on my record all for the same incident and would like to get it off my record if possible. These charges happened over 6 years ago now and since then I have held steady jobs in the IT industry. I have turned my life around by going back to school and recently just bought my first house. I'm currently 25 years old. I want to move up the corporate ladder but the thing that has been hindering me to do so is my record.

This is something you would need an Attorney to do - and there are firms in Virginia which specialize so I would "guess" that records CAN be expunged. An Attorney would have all the information you need.

I find conflicting info on the Internet.

I have one felony conviction for grand larceny in Virginia. Virginia is one of the few states where you have to get the governor to return your civil rights to you. You have to jump through all sort of hoops to get them to do so.

And after you get your rights returned, then you can get a pardon, but it does not erase your convictions. They are stuck with you for life.

Although my conviction is over 10 years ago, I have yet to get my rights returned. For example I need to have proof that I haven't committed any crimes in the state that I currently live in. I have no idea how to do that, and I cannot find any information on it.

I currently live in NC and I know in NC your rights are automatically returned to you after probation, parole.

So if anyone has any information for me, that would be stellar.

Thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by dark_magyar

I have one felony conviction for grand larceny in Virginia. Virginia is one of the few states where you have to get the governor to return your civil rights to you. You have to jump through all sort of hoops to get them to do so.

And after you get your rights returned, then you can get a pardon, but it does not erase your convictions. They are stuck with you for life.

Although my conviction is over 10 years ago, I have yet to get my rights returned. For example I need to have proof that I haven't committed any crimes in the state that I currently live in. I have no idea how to do that, and I cannot find any information on it.

I currently live in NC and I know in NC your rights are automatically returned to you after probation, parole.

So if anyone has any information for me, that woudl be stellar.

Thanks in advance.

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You wouldn't believe the things people post on this board, the arguments. I find your post to be informative, concise, interesting and informative reading. Congrats!

If you want proof you have no recent record, go to a Police Department with ID and ask them to run and print out your record.

In my area the State Troopers are more reliable than the local Police - and I realize in theory they all use the same computer.

Thank you, JudyKayTee. I'm not here to judge or be an to anyone. You would be surprised at how judgmental someone can be and until you find yourselves in that person's shoes you really can't judge or point fingers. I hung around a bad crowd and got caught stealing when I was in my early 20's. Should that action define me as an individual for the rest of my life?

Enough of the soapbox, but yes, I should probably do just that. Walk up to the local police department and ask them what I need to do to get a state wide search.

Thanks.

No problem - let us know how things work out.

I also hope you stick around - your experience will help someone else and it's nice to have a sane person posting!

Well here's an update on my situation. I found out that in NC you need to contact the NC state Bureau of Investigation for a state wide background check.

It involved getting fingerprinted at the local police station and mailing in a form and money order for the back ground check.

I should get it back within the week. And of course it will be blank, but for some reason the idiot state of Virginia wants me to jump through another hoop.

- keep us informed. This is good info.