How would I go about getting my price alter/petty theft conviction off my record?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
How would I go about getting my price alter/petty theft conviction off my record?
About 2 1/2 years ago, I stole a small item valued at less than $10. A friend dared me to. How would I go about getting my record clean when I was charged guilty. I just turned 18 at the time. Had a month of probation. I paid all my bills. Learned my lesson and grew up since then. I’m still facing consequences. Also, how much money am I looking into if I were to go to court to have this expunged or sealed?
Asked on August 17, 2012 under Criminal Law, Virginia
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Convictions are very hard to get off your record in Virginia because the expunction statute specifically provides for only those case where a person is "actually innocent." If you pled guilty, the judge probably found you guilty-- thus it's difficult to assert the "actual innocence" component. However, there may be some exceptions or leaway depending on whether you were on a regular probation or a deferred probation, how you pled, and what the judge did (or filed) with your case after you completed the probation. You need to have an attorney look at your records to see if one of these limited expections applies to you. It will be cheaper if you do some of the leg work. Go to the clerk and request a certified copy of your entire file (not just the judgment). The attorney will need to see the agreements and stipulations that you signed. The attorney will also need to see all of the orders entered by the judge. If you do qualify, then you are looking at anywhere from $500-$2000 in legal and filing fees-- depending on the complexity of your case and the billing rate of the attorney that you select. Get a consultation first to see if you even qualify before you put out any big money-- if you'v already done the leg work, some attorney's will give you a free or very inexpensive consultation.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.