Leonard asked to change her name in a letter to the court stating that it “will have tremendous psychological benefits” for her and would not interfere with her incarceration or any conditions of her sentences.

Sharrett consulted with the Prince George County Commonwealth’s attorney’s office, which opposed the application.

Among other things, the commonwealth’s attorney’s office said Missouri had a greater interest than Virginia in considering the request and that granting a name change might frustrate legitimate law enforcement needs to identify and track Leonard during her transition to Missouri and to ensure her registration as a sex offender.

In their eight-page ruling on Thursday, the justices noted that state law on changing names is fairly permissive for most citizens. But in 2014 the General Assembly changed the law creating a presumption against name changes for inmates and probationers and for individuals required to be on sex offender registries and on crimes against minors registries.

Under the 2014 legislation, a judge must first determine if there is good cause for the name change. If good cause is found, the application is to be sent to the commonwealth’s attorney for a response.