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Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court

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Juvenile Records (Expungement & Confidentiality)

Expungement:

Records of delinquent juveniles (except for felony and traffic convictions) and CHINS (Children In Need of Services) juveniles must be destroyed after the juvenile has reached age 19, and five years have elapsed since the person's last Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hearing. In the case of traffic offenses, the record is destroyed after the year in which the juvenile reaches age 29 unless the juvenile later commits a felony after becoming an adult. The records of a juvenile found guilty of a delinquent act which would be a felony are not destroyed. If a juvenile is found not guilty of a misdemeanor offense, he or she may request in writing for early destruction of the records. The expungement of criminal records is defined in the Code of Virginia §16.1-306.

Privacy and Confidentiality:

Court reports and records in juvenile cases are generally open only to those specifically permitted by law to have such access. Court officials or others who violate this confidentiality requirement are subject to criminal penalties. The Court records of a juvenile over 14 who has been adjudicated delinquent for an act which would be a felony if committed by an adult are not confidential.