New year, new opportunities for expunctions in Georgia! Last year’s Senate Bill 288 is officially in effect as of January 1st, allowing many more records to be eligible for expunction.
Specifically, SB 288 allows people to petition to have some misdemeanor convictions restricted and sealed if it’s been 4 years since their sentence and they don’t have any new convictions or pending charges. It also allows people who have been pardoned for nonviolent felony offenses to apply. Another feature of the bill is that it grants liability protection to employers who hire former felons.
There are certain crimes that do not qualify, like sex crimes, family violence, and DUI offenses.
The idea is to allow more people to join the workplace, which would in turn reduce recidivism. The Bill received bipartisan support, proving that both sides of the political spectrum support criminal justice reform and overall want to see people who have had run-ins with the law be able to achieve employment, housing, occupational licenses, loans, and all of the other opportunities that the general public is afforded.
Corey Burres, Vice President of Communications at the Georgia Center for Opportunity, hailed the bill as imperative for several reasons:
“It is vital that we continue to reform Georgia’s criminal justice system so that reformation and reintegration is the goal, and not just punishment. With SB 288, we are making real efforts to help past offenders access opportunities that may not be available to them due to their criminal record.”
Georgia is now one of 42 states that have eased record-sealing restrictions—a testament to this country’s changing attitudes about second chances for those with criminal records. If you think you deserve a second chance, we’re here to help. Get in touch with Easy Expunctions to take the first steps toward a clean background check.