Athens Expungement Lawyer

Expungement Attorney in Athens, GA

Being convicted of a crime can seriously damage your life trajectory. A criminal conviction affects your job opportunities, your housing options, your social standing, and even your relationships, personal and otherwise. However, depending on the nature of your conviction, you may have options to have your record restricted from public view. To learn more about expungement options, contact an Athens expungement lawyer as soon as you can.

The legal team at the Law Offices of Adam M. Cain, LLC understands how hard it can be to launch an expungement case and regain the opportunity to live your life free of the restrictions that come with a criminal record. To accomplish this, you will want an Athens expungement attorney by your side who can help you better understand the state’s expungement laws and what you have to go through for the court to even consider restricting your criminal record.

The Expungement Process in Georgia

If you want to pursue expungement in Athens, you will need to contact the Athens-Clarke County Second Chance Desk at the Goodwill Career Center on Lexington Road. The desk can help you file for expungement, but the approved requests will be submitted to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). Your lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes and make sure all paperwork is filed correctly.

Expungement, or record restriction as it’s generally known in Georgia, can be a time-consuming and difficult process to go through alone, and even then, there are never any guarantees that you will qualify. The violent crime rate in Georgia was 326 per 100,000 people in 2024, and all of those crimes won’t qualify for expungement. Over 1,200 criminal sentences were handed down in Georgia that same year, and many of them may qualify. Here are the steps in the process:

• The first thing you need to do is determine eligibility. Certain violent offenses cannot be expunged, no matter what. These include DUI convictions, sexual offenses, family violence, and other serious violent felonies. Arrests that did not lead to conviction are eligible for expungement, as are most misdemeanor convictions and some nonviolent felonies. Your lawyer can help you determine your eligibility.
• Next, you will need to obtain a copy of your criminal history from your local sheriff’s office or police department. You’ll need this to identify the exact charges you hope to have restricted and to find the right arresting agency to contact.
• You need to submit your request for record restriction to the law enforcement agency that initially arrested you. This is only done in cases where you were arrested but ultimately not convicted. Getting the arrest off your record can help you avoid uncomfortable questions in the future.
• If you are trying to restrict a record that led to a conviction, you need to first apply for a pardon through the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles before moving forward with your case. This process can take months and will require an extensive background check. You have to fulfill the requirements of a pardon, including living a crime-free life for at least five years after completing your sentence.
• Once you get the pardon, you need to file a petition with the court that handled your case. You may have to pay a fee. Once your criminal record is restricted, it will no longer be visible to the general public. You can legally say that you don’t have any criminal convictions when applying for jobs, housing, and professional licenses. The record isn’t gone for good, as law enforcement can still see it if they need to.

FAQs

How Much Will Expungement Cost in Georgia?

Getting your criminal record expunged in Georgia can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on how long your case will take and its inherent complexity. You will have to pay some mandatory filing fees and court costs, as well as your lawyer’s fees if you decide to hire an attorney to help you through this process. It can all start to add up quickly.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Expungement in Georgia?

No, you are not legally required to hire a lawyer to pursue expungement in Georgia, but it’s highly recommended that you do so anyway, as the process can easily become complicated. The stakes may be too high for you to handle on your own. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it. A lawyer can guide you through the expungement process and prevent you from making mistakes that might cost you your case.

What Crimes Cannot Be Expunged in Georgia?

Generally, violent felonies cannot be expunged in Georgia. Expungement is primarily reserved for individuals who were arrested but not convicted, and for people seeking to prevent a misdemeanor conviction from harming their personal and professional lives. Crimes like murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, child molestation, and even DUI cannot be erased from your criminal record, regardless of how long it’s been since you served your sentence.

Is Pursuing Expungement Worth the Effort?

That really depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. If you’re successful in getting your record expunged, it could have a significant improvement on your job and housing prospects. Ultimately, you may have a chance to rebuild your life free of legal restrictions and on your own terms. The process may be time-consuming and complex, but it may be worth the effort to you in the long run.

Hire an Expungement Lawyer Today

If you’re considering moving forward with a record restriction, you should hire an expungement lawyer to help you see it through. At the very least, having a lawyer in your corner can give you peace of mind that the right people are guiding you through the process. 

Adam M. Cain has spent over two decades helping clients with their criminal defenses. He understands your struggle and is here to help. Contact us to speak with a member of our team who can assist you with your situation.