Schnipper Law
2300 Henderson Mill Rd Suite 300
Phone: (404) 545-5845
Yates & Wheland
1100 Peachtree St NE #690
Phone: (678) 679-0918
Bixon Law
260 Peachtree St NW Suite 2200
Phone: (404) 551-5684
Miller Law Practice
191 Roswell St NE Suite 202
Phone: (404) 806-7669
The Atlantic Law Firm
1111 Bull St
Phone: (912) 209-9000
Hirsch Criminal Defense
1936-B N Druid Hills Rd 1st floor
Phone: (404) 919-7096
Zeliff | Watson
351-A Dahlonega St
Phone: (770) 887-3720
George C Creal Jr., PC
480 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE UNIT 190
Phone: (404) 333-0706
W. Scott Smith
100 Peachtree St NW #2060
Phone: (404) 581-0999
The Spizman Firm
200 Ashford Center N #200
Phone: (770) 685-6400
Arora Law
75 W Wieuca Rd NE
Phone: (404) 609-4664
Atlanta DUI Lawyer Group
1772 N Holly Ln NE
Phone: (678) 412-0381
Law Office of Kevin R. Fisher
1800 Peachtree Rd #300
Phone: (404) 403-2665
Law Office of Matthew T. McNally
659 Auburn Ave NE STE 153
Phone: (678) 386-4968
The Waltman Firm
55 Atlanta St SE suite 417
Phone: (770) 235-1015
Philip Kim Law
368 W Pike St STE 203
Phone: (678) 201-1973
Frye Law Group
170 Anderson St SE
Phone: (770) 268-3396
Jeff Manciagli
66 Lenox Pointe NE
Phone: (404) 410-6473
Kohn & Yager
5600 Roswell Rd Building H Ste 200
Phone: (404) 567-5515
A Second Chance Criminal Record Relief
1332 Wynnton Rd
Phone: (706) 507-1381
The Maloof Law Firm
215 N McDonough St
Phone: (404) 492-5104
Swingle Levin
380 Meigs St
Phone: (706) 703-2617
Robert James Trial Attorneys
233 Peachtree St Suite 1200
Phone: (404) 891-0977
Davis, Chapman, & Wilder
1143 Laney Walker Blvd #201
Phone: (706) 200-1578
The Law Ladies
691 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE Suite V-138
Phone: (404) 254-6458
Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C.
210 E 31st St
Phone: (912) 713-3426
Grisham & Poole
577 E Main St
Phone: (678) 880-9360
Ross & Pines
5555 Glenridge Con #435
Phone: (888) 838-4858
Henrickson & Sereebutra
229 Buchanan St
Phone: (770) 212-3313
David West & Associates
123 Church St #220
Phone: (678) 384-4069
Atlanta DUI Rich
5447 Roswell Rd
Phone: (770) 419-1945
William C. Head, PC
5600 Roswell Rd Building H STE 210
Phone: (404) 567-5515
DeLisa Williams, PC
235 Peachtree Rd NE
Phone: (404) 903-1037
George McCranie Law Firm
202 W Park Ave
Phone: (229) 213-8176
MM Criminal Defense
166 Anderson St SE Suite 220
Phone: (770) 693-4357
Phyllis Gingrey Collins
278 North Marietta Pkwy NE
Phone: (404) 514-3397
Cansino Blanchette & Oswalt-Smith
107 Postelle St
Phone: (404) 997-8470
R. Douglas Lenhardt
1280 W Broad St
Phone: (706) 369-5433
JD Law Group
912 Holcomb Bridge Rd STE 203
Phone: (404) 842-0909
Elbaz & Elbaz
368 S Perry St
Phone: (678) 820-0056
J. Lee Webb
1055 Prince Ave #2
Phone: (706) 705-5122
Christopher A Campbell Law Offices
45 South Avenue SE Suite 100
Phone: (678) 265-8200
Wosnik Law
924 Cherokee Ave
Phone: (678) 680-3470
Ghanayem & Rayasam
B, 1936 N Druid Hills Rd 1st floor
Phone: (404) 561-0202
Gabe T. Cliett P.C.
18 S Main St
Phone: (912) 274-7752
Burns Smith Law
391 E Main St
Phone: (770) 525-6974
Harold J. Cronk
49 Park of Commerce Way Ste 101
Phone: (912) 236-4878
Megan W. Grout
399 Washington Ave NE
Phone: (404) 904-2862
Zimmerman & Associates
6376 Spalding Dr
Phone: (770) 350-0100
Ryan Swingle
244 E Washington St
Phone: (706) 989-9441
The Sherman Law Group
The Raffaeli Professional Building, 1560 Warsaw Rd Suite 10
Phone: (678) 712-8561
Kozycki Law
3546 Habersham at Northlake Rd
Phone: (678) 664-9729
Manji Law
315 W Ponce de Leon Ave # 400
Phone: (678) 250-0335
Davis & Hoss
850 Fortwood St
Phone: (423) 266-0605
Simon Bridgers Spires
2860 Piedmont Rd NE #210
Phone: (404) 259-7635
My RIA Lawyer
44 Milton Ave #314
Phone: (770) 562-7104
The Carnell Law Firm
4056 Wetherburn Way NW #3
Phone: (770) 322-4990
Rachel Kaufman Law
133 Nassau St NW
Phone: (404) 615-7588
Banks & Riedel
970 Walnut St
Phone: (478) 254-3230
Hargis Law Firm
600 Georgia Ave
Phone: (423) 218-6323
Best and Brock
1257 Market St
Phone: (423) 829-1043
Georgia Justice Project
438 Edgewood Ave SE
Phone: (404) 827-0027
Georgia uses record restriction and sealing instead of traditional expungement. Many non conviction records can be restricted through the arresting agency or prosecutor, and a 2020 law lets some misdemeanor convictions be restricted by petition after a waiting period if you meet strict conditions. Felony convictions mostly remain ineligible unless a separate pardon or legal remedy applies. Using the correct forms and filing in the proper court or with the right agency matters because incomplete or misdirected requests are rejected.
How much does it cost to get your record expunged in Georgia?
Georgia calls this record restriction and sealing. Local agencies may charge administrative and fingerprint fees, and some courts assess filing fees for petitions to restrict convictions and to seal court records. Attorney fees are separate and depend on the number of arrests or cases, how much investigation is needed, and whether a hearing is required.
What qualifies for expungement in Georgia?
Non conviction records like dismissed charges, not prosecuted cases, and acquittals are generally eligible for restriction, with some limits for serious or traffic offenses. Under Georgia’s 2020 reform, certain misdemeanor convictions can be restricted and court records sealed by petition after a clean period and only if the offense type is eligible. Felony convictions are not broadly eligible and usually require a pardon or another narrow statute to change public access.
How long does it take to get a record expunged in Georgia?
Agency based restrictions for non convictions often move in a few weeks once fingerprints, forms, and approvals are complete. Petitions to restrict and seal a misdemeanor conviction take longer because prosecutors can object and courts set hearings based on their calendars. Delays come from missing documents, unpaid fines or restitution, and service mistakes, so complete packets speed the process up.
Does a felony go away after 7 years in Georgia?
No. A felony stays on the public record unless you obtain a specific legal remedy such as a pardon and related relief where allowed. Time alone does not remove a felony from public view in Georgia’s databases or court files, and background screeners will still report it until lawful restriction applies.
What is the First Offender Act in Georgia?
First Offender lets an eligible defendant avoid a conviction if they successfully complete their sentence. The case is not a conviction for most purposes, and you can seek to restrict and seal the record afterward so standard public checks do not show it. It is not automatic, it must be invoked at sentencing, and some offenses do not qualify at all.
How does a convicted felon get rights back in Georgia?
Restoration of civil and political rights is handled by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles after you complete all sentences and wait the required period. A separate firearms restoration requires a pardon that explicitly restores firearm rights, and it is not guaranteed. The process involves an application, background review, and supporting documentation that proves rehabilitation and compliance with all obligations.
What disqualifies you from owning a gun in Georgia?
A felony conviction makes it a crime to possess a firearm in Georgia, and federal prohibitions can also apply. Certain domestic violence offenses, qualifying protective orders, and specific mental health adjudications can block possession under federal law. A pardon with firearms language or another lawful restoration is required before possession becomes legal again, and even then federal rules must be respected.
Can a convicted felon own a gun after 10 years in Georgia?
No automatic restoration happens at ten years. You must obtain a pardon that restores firearm rights or another lawful restoration before you can possess a gun. Without that, possession remains a felony offense regardless of how much time has passed since the conviction ended.
What is the new Georgia expungement law?
Georgia’s 2020 law, often called SB 288, expanded eligibility to restrict and seal some misdemeanor convictions by petition after a clean waiting period. The reform did not create broad automatic clearing for convictions, and many offense types remain excluded. Non conviction record restriction continues to operate through the arresting agency or prosecutor with separate procedures and timelines.
Can a first offender felony be expunged in Georgia?
If you were sentenced under First Offender and you successfully completed it, the case is not a conviction and you can seek record restriction and court sealing. Employers and landlords using standard public checks will not see a restricted and sealed First Offender case. If the court revoked First Offender and adjudicated guilt, the case is a conviction and normal restriction rules for convictions apply.
How long does Georgia have to indict on a felony?
Georgia uses statutes of limitation that set charging deadlines for most felonies. Many felonies have a four year limit, certain serious sexual offenses have longer limits, and murder has no limitation period. Specific facts, tolling rules, and case type can change the analysis, so the actual deadline depends on the charge and the timeline of events.
How much prison time can a convicted felon get for having a firearm in Georgia?
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a felony punishable by one to ten years in prison for many cases. People with serious violent felony histories face higher mandatory ranges under Georgia law. Repeat offenses and federal prosecution risks can increase exposure, so the safe approach is to obtain a lawful restoration before any possession occurs.
Can a felon live in a home that has a gun in Georgia?
This is risky. If a felon has access to a gun in the home, prosecutors can argue constructive possession even if the weapon is not owned by the felon. The practical solution is to remove firearms from the home or secure them so the felon has no access until rights are lawfully restored.
How far back does a gun background check go in Georgia?
Background checks for firearms sales use the federal NICS system and do not have a simple time limit. Disqualifying convictions and prohibitions are flagged regardless of age. Georgia licensing processes also review disqualifying history, so restriction and sealing or rights restoration is the only reliable way to avoid a denial based on old disqualifiers.
Is Georgia a second chance state?
Georgia expanded second chance relief by allowing petitions to restrict and seal some misdemeanor convictions after waiting periods and compliance. The state still keeps important limits, and many offenses remain ineligible for conviction relief. Non conviction record restriction remains available and is a common first step to clean up a history.
Official Sources
- O.C.G.A. 35-3-37 — Record Restriction and Sealing
- Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles — Pardons and Restoration of Rights
- O.C.G.A. 42-8-60 — First Offender Act
- O.C.G.A. 16-11-131 — Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation — GCIC Information
- FBI — National Instant Criminal Background Check System
- Georgia General Assembly — SB 288 (2020) Record Restriction Reform