Conversations With The Clerk: Breaking Down Virginia's New Sealing Legislation & Expungement Process

On July 1st, 2026, Virginia's new record sealing law takes effect, allowing many criminal and traffic records (including some convictions for the first time) to be sealed from public view. In this episode of Conversations with the Clerk, Newport News Circuit Court Clerk Angela F. Reason sits down with two legal experts to break down what's changing, who may qualify, and how the sealing and expungement processes work. Featuring: • Angela F. Reason — Clerk, Newport News Circuit Court (Host) • Shannon M. Jones, Esq. — Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney • David Likavec, Esq. — Managing Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia The discussion covers the difference between sealing and expungement, which records seal automatically vs. by petition, who is excluded, what it means for jobs and housing, and the steps you can take to prepare — followed by a live audience Q&A. Helpful Resources: Virginia's Judicial System Homepage: https://www.vacourts.gov/ Newport News Circuit Court Clerk's Office: https://www.nnva.gov/circuit-court Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: https://laseva.org/ 📞 Contact Information: Newport News Circuit Court Clerk's Office Phone: (757) 926-8561 Website: www.nngov.com/circuitcourt ⚖️ DISCLAIMER: The information provided during this discussion is for general information purposes only. Nothing stated in or during this presentation shall be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. #RecordSealing #Expungement #VirginiaLaw #ConversationsWithTheClerk #Reentry #Virginia