Effective July 1, 2026, the Virginia Sealing of Criminal History Record Information and Court Records legislation goes into effect. This legislation prohibits the release of records related to certain arrests, charges, or convictions that are subject to sealing except to certain individuals.
The Police Department is prohibited from providing any information about sealed records. If you request a record that is sealed under this law, the Police Department will respond that no record exists as required by law unless you are a party that is allowed access to a sealed file under Virginia Code 19.2-392.13.
When submitting a request for law enforcement records, you may wish to submit information that allows the Police Department to determine whether you are a party that is entitled to release of information that is contained in sealed files pursuant to Virginia Code 19.2-392.13.
Files that may be eligible for sealing pursuant to law or a court order under certain circumstances under this new legislation include, but are not limited to arrests, charges and convictions related to the following types of offenses and statutes:
- Traffic infractions that are not punishable as a criminal offense over 11 years old
- Virginia Code § 18.2-250.1 – Possession of marijuana
- Virginia Code § 18.2-96. - Petit larceny
- Virginia Code § 18.2-103 - Concealing or taking possession of merchandise; altering price tags; transferring goods from one container to another; counseling, etc., another in performance of such acts.
- Virginia Code § 18.2-119. - Trespass after having been forbidden to do so; penalties.
- Virginia Code § 18.2-120. - Instigating, etc., such trespass by others; preventing service to persons not forbidden to trespass.
- Virginia Code § 18.2-134. - Trespass on posted property
- Virginia Code § 18.2-248.1 - Penalties for sale, gift, distribution or possession with intent to sell, give or distribute marijuana
- Virginia Code § 18.2-415 - Disorderly conduct in public spaces
- Virginia Code 19.2-392.5 et seq - Matters sealed by Court Orders
The Police Department cannot provide any legal advice about access to sealed files or the process of sealing law enforcement records.