courts | ARLnow.com

Many Virginians’ criminal convictions about to be sealed under ‘Clean Slate’ law

Published June 11, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated June 11, 2026 at 1:47PM

Flags flying in the wind at Arlington County's justice center in Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A Virginia law going into effect on July 1 will seal the criminal records of many people convicted of low-level offenses.

The commonwealth’s “Clean Slate” law is expected to automatically seal over 100,000 criminal records of Virginians who were once convicted of misdemeanors such as shoplifting, trespassing and distributing marijuana, but who haven’t reoffended in the past seven years. This will make make housing providers and many employers unable to access such records via criminal background checks.

‘Data walks’ offer window into prosecution and diversion programs in Arlington

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 20, 2026 at 8:30AM

Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti and members of her staff (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A pair of open-house-style events held over the weekend provided local residents an up-close look at the inner workings of the commonwealth’s attorney’s office.

The two Interactive Data Walks on Local Prosecution and Diversion Programs aimed to demystify the work of the prosecutor’s office, Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti told ARLnow.

Next year’s budget, future parking rates to highlight County Board meeting

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 18, 2026 at 10:00AM

County Manager Mark Schwartz (Arlington County screenshot)

This weekend’s County Board meeting is expected to include a presentation on the county manager’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and several other notable items.

Additional slated topics include a vote on the future of Arlington’s parking rates, an upgrade to the elevators at the Arlington County Justice Center and more vendors at the Lubber Run Farmers Market. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21.