Alexandria’s Clerk of Circuit Court Discusses Improved Process to Clear Local Criminal Records
ALEXANDRIA, VA-It is now easier to clear a criminal record in Alexandria. Sheriff Sean Casey, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter, and Clerk of Circuit Court Greg Parks have worked together to make expungement available to more people.
The Zebra reached out to Parks this afternoon (Jan. 8) to learn about the improved process. He explained that the Virginia Code “is very specific” about what qualifies for an expungement. The conditions include acquittal, nolle prosequi (not wish to prosecute), dismissal, absolute pardon, or an individual’s name was used by mistake.
“In each case where the eligibility is fully met,” Parks said, “the record will be expunged by an order entered by the Circuit Court.”
The paperwork to begin the process can be found HERE.
As part of the effort, the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office will waive all service fees, and the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office will take an individual’s fingerprints (another part of this process) at no cost. Overseeing the entire process, the Clerk’s Office will refund filing fees, as required by law, to any applicant whose request for expungement is granted in court.
Parks told The Zebra that the costs “are set in law.” They are as follows:
1) $86 Filing fee to the Clerk’s Office which is 100% refunded if the expungement is granted,
2) $10 Fingerprint fee, waived by the Sheriff under this initiative, and
3) $12 Service of process fee, service and therefore the fee, waived by the Commonwealth’s Attorney under this initiative.
To be clear, the upfont cost for an applicant would be $86 – the filing fee only – which would be refunded when the expungement is granted. If it is granted, Parks said the cost “would be zero in the end.” However, if not granted, the amount would not be refunded.
“It is quite straightforward” he emphasized, “to determine before filing whether any records are eligible. That is why [the Sheriff’s Office announcement] included the information about the Alexandria Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service, and the reference to the Expungement Clinic that Vice Mayor Jackson and our offices held last year and will be repeating soon. Those resources can help people determine if they are eligible before filing.”
At that clinic, the local firm, King, Campbell, Poretz, paid the $86 for applicants, so that the clinic was provided at no cost to them. As expungements were granted, the Clerk’s Office refunded the firm.
A second clinic will take place in the coming months.
As mentioned previously, the Alexandria Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service. can be reached by visiting alexandria.barlrs.com, or calling 703-548-1106, Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. LRS lawyers charge $55 for a half hour consultation. [SEE ALSO: Proposed Budget for Alexandria Schools Includes Funding for More Staff]
