For many first-time misdemeanor offenses in California, judges will impose probation, community service, fines, or classes instead of jail time. The maximum sentence for misdemeanors is one year in county jail. But incarceration for the full year is rare, especially for minor first offenses.
In Virginia, records relating to convictions cannot be expunged / removed from a person's criminal record. However, in some circumstances records relating to arrests for offenses which did not result in conviction can be expunged.
Under appropriate circumstances, misdemeanor offenses may be taken under advisement to be dismissed. Virginia code section 19.2-298.02 allows misdemeanor charges that would otherwise be a conviction to be taken under advisement to be dismissed.
The authorized punishments for conviction of a misdemeanor are: (a) For Class 1 misdemeanors, confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
The authorized punishments for conviction of a misdemeanor are: (a) For Class 1 misdemeanors, confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
Misdemeanor classes Class 1 misdemeanor: Confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and/or a possible fine of not more than $2,500. Class 2 misdemeanor: Confinement in jail for not more than six months and/or a possible fine of not more than $1,000. Class 3 misdemeanor: A fine of not more than $500.
A criminal conviction will result in a criminal record, even for a minor misdemeanor offense.
Key Takeaways. Current Virginia Clean Slate law allows individuals to petition for expungement of criminal records for arrests that did not result in a conviction. A new law, effective in 2025, will automatically expunge these criminal records.
Your record will automatically be expunged as long as you have never been convicted of a crime in Virginia and you have not been arrested or charged with a crime in Virginia in the last three years. If you do not meet these criteria, you may petition the court for an expungement of your misdemeanor arrest record.
In order to seal your Virginia record, there is a ten year waiting period for felonies and seven year waiting period for misdemeanors before they are eligible to be sealed.