What we want
- Allow conviction records for misdemeanors and certain felonies to be restricted after release.
- Reduce fees associated with record restriction.
- Reduce employment discrimination based on a criminal history record.
- Ensure Georgians with restricted records are treated as if they had never been been convicted.
Reasons for Reform
4.2 million people have a criminal record on file with the state of Georgia. That’s 40% of the state population.
– Second Chance for Georgia Campaign
Once someone has finished serving their sentence, their criminal record stays around and continues to punish them for the rest of their lives.
Criminal records are proven to hinder the ability to secure employment and occupational licensing. Records can also inhibit access to housing or scholarships, preventing opportunities that people need to improve their lives and the lives of their family. Because Georgians of color are disproportionately represented in the correctional system, there is a similar racial disparity in the impact of criminal history records.
By allowing convictions to be restricted after a period of time, people can leave their mistakes behind and rebuild their lives. This change will increase the supply of workers in Georgia and will help impacted individuals and their families become financially secure and independent. It will create positive ripple effects on the state’s economy and public health.
Currently in Georgia, the “expungement” or “restriction” of a criminal record, is not possible for an offense that resulted in conviction. It is only possible in certain situations that avoided conviction, unless you were a youth offender at the time of the offense.
This reform would allow those who have finished serving their sentence and have not experienced a conviction for several years to have the record of their criminal conviction restricted from being seen in criminal background checks.
Georgians deserve a second chance.
– Reform Georgia
Reform Georgia is a proud organizational partner of the Second Chance for Georgia Campaign.
What we recommend
- Allow the restriction of criminal history records for convictions of misdemeanor crimes and certain felonies after the completion of their sentence.
- Provide for automated record restriction for eligible cases.
- Prohibiting licensing and employment discrimination for a restricted record of arrest or conviction.
- Protect employers from liability for negligent hiring based on an employee’s criminal record.