# Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.8: Automatic sealing of offenses resulting in acquittal or dismissal > Virginia · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.8 ## Section - **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.8 - **Heading:** Automatic sealing of offenses resulting in acquittal or dismissal - **Jurisdiction:** Virginia - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 19.2 / Chapter 23.2 / Section 19.2-392.8 ## Text A. If a person is charged with the commission of a misdemeanor offense, excluding traffic infractions under Title 46.2, and the person is acquitted or the charge against him is dismissed with prejudice, the court disposing of the matter shall order that the charge be automatically sealed under the process described in § 19.2-392.13 , unless the person charged with the offense objects to such automatic sealing. B. If a person is charged with the commission of a felony offense and is acquitted, or the charge against him is dismissed with prejudice, he may immediately upon the acquittal or dismissal orally request that the records relating to the charge be sealed. Upon such request and with the concurrence of the attorney for the Commonwealth, the court shall order the automatic sealing of records relating to the arrest or charge under the process described in § 19.2-392.13 . C. If the court enters an order of sealing pursuant to subsection A or B, the court shall advise the person that the offense has been ordered to be automatically sealed. D. Any denial by the court to enter a sealing order under subsection A or B shall be without prejudice, and the person may seek expungement in the circuit court pursuant to the provisions of § 19.2-392.2 . Entry of a sealing order under subsection A or B shall not prohibit the person from seeking expungement in the circuit court pursuant to the provisions of § 19.2-392.2 . E. Any order to seal issued pursuant to this section shall be sealed and may only be disseminated for the purposes set forth in § 19.2-392.13 and pursuant to rules and regulations adopted pursuant to § 9.1-128 and procedures adopted pursuant to § 9.1-134 . F. If an offense is automatically sealed contrary to law, the automatic sealing of that particular offense shall be voidable upon motion and notice made within two years of the entry of the order to automatically seal such offense. 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 524 , 542 ; 2025, cc. 634 , 671 . ## Nearby sections - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.5 Sealing defined; effect of sealing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.5.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.6 Automatic sealing of offenses resulting in conviction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.6.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.6:1 Sealing of former possession of marijuana offenses without entry of a court order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.6%3A1.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.7 Process for automatic sealing of offenses resulting in a conviction or deferred disposition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.7.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.8 Automatic sealing of offenses resulting in acquittal or dismissal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.8.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.9 Repealed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.9.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.10 Process for automatic sealing of offenses resulting in acquittal, nolle prosequi, or dismissal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.10.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.11 Automatic sealing of misdemeanor offenses resulting in acquittal, nolle prosequi, or dismissal for persons with no convictions or deferred and dismissed offenses on their criminal history record](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.11.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.12 Sealing of offenses resulting in a deferred and dismissed disposition or conviction by petition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.12.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.12:1 Sealing of charges and convictions related to automatic sealing; petition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.12%3A1.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.12:2 Annual report](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.12%3A2.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.13 Disposition of records when an offense is sealed; permitted uses of sealed records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.13.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.14 Disclosure of sealed records; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.14.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-392.15 Prohibited practices by employers, educational institutions, agencies, etc., of state and local governments; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.15.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T19.2_C23.2_S19.2-392.8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.