If you are applying for work or school, you may be wondering if you can get a Staunton criminal charge expunged from your permanent record before you apply.

Under Virginia law, certain charges can be wiped clean from your record. The process is called expungement. When a charge is removed from your record, it never shows up on a background check. The kinds of charges that qualify for expungement include if:

• You were found not guilty
• The charge was voluntarily dismissed by the prosecutor
• The charge was taken under advisement and dismissed
• The charge was dismissed as part of a plea bargain
• The charge was amended and dismissed

Common charges that people want expunged in Staunton, and elsewhere, include reckless driving, public intoxication, minor in possession of alcohol, driving under the influence, and possession of marijuana. If you qualify, then each of these charges may be eligible for expungement in Augusta County Circuit Court in Staunton, Virginia.

The first step is to speak with an expungement lawyer in Staunton, Virginia, to find out if you qualify. An expungement lawyer who handles cases in Staunton can review your case, and determine if the law allows you to wipe your record clean for a job or school application. Every case is different, and it depends on the facts and circumstances of the charge. An experienced Staunton expungement lawyer can help find out if you qualify, and if so, file the necessary paperwork.

If you need a charge expunged in Staunton, do not wait to contact a Staunton expungement lawyer. The process can take weeks or months, so it is important to speak with a lawyer soon to find out if you qualify.