Records of expunged cases that an agency of the Virginia Supreme Court say keep it from releasing a statewide database of circuit court information are supposed to be deleted from all court databases and indexes, the agency’s own manual says.

But the Supreme Court’s Office of the Executive Secretary says its database includes expunged records — and that it can’t say how many, assistant executive secretary Edward Macon said.

When a judge finds that keeping a record of a criminal charge would be a manifest injustice because the accused is innocent, circuit court clerks are supposed to follow a detailed process to make sure any records in police or court files are removed.

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