Submitted information:
Cobb District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. is proud to announce his support of a new Expungement Help Desk, in partnership with the Georgia Justice Project and other Cobb County offices and departments.
The Expungement Desk is expected to be established later this year and housed in the Circuit Defender’s Office. Lawyers and volunteers trained by the nonprofit Georgia Justice Project will assist eligible individuals in getting their criminal records expunged as Georgia law allows. Cobb’s Expungement Desk will be the first of its kind in Georgia.
“This is justice in action,” DA Broady said. “Removing barriers that keep nonviolent people from being productive members of society benefits everyone.”
Georgia’s “Second Chance Law,” SB 288, took effect Jan. 1 and expands eligibility for expungement, also known as record restriction, to include many nonviolent misdemeanor convictions. Georgia law has long allowed records of misdemeanor and felony arrests that did not result in convictions to be expunged. The new law also allows for expungement of some pardoned felony convictions.
“Georgia Justice Project helps many Georgians each year with their criminal record, but we can’t do this work alone, and we do so with strong partnership support,” says Doug Ammar, Executive Director of Georgia Justice Project. “Since 4.3 million people have a Georgia criminal history, we need to find creative ways to collaborate with our local institutions to serve as many Georgians as possible. We appreciate District Attorney Broady for joining us in this effort.”
Cobb Solicitor General Barry E. Morgan added that the service provided by the Georgia Justice Project is needed.
“Prosecutors and court clerks cannot give legal advice, and many people are in limbo if they can’t afford to pay an attorney to navigate the additional, cumbersome process required for record restriction,” Morgan said. “This service will help fill a gaping hole.”
The Cobb Circuit Defender’s Office, led by Randy Harris, is also a partner on the Expungement Desk.
Georgia Justice Project has served Georgians who have been impacted by the criminal justice system for almost 35 years. Learn more at www.GJP.org.
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