A criminal record follows you everywhere — job applications, housing, professional licenses. Georgia’s record restriction law (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37) gives eligible individuals the right to have qualifying arrests and convictions sealed from public view. At Georgia’s Expungement Lawyers, we guide clients through the entire process — from eligibility review to a finalized order.
Georgia uses the term “record restriction” rather than expungement. When your record is restricted, the arrest or conviction is sealed from background checks run by employers, landlords, and licensing boards. Law enforcement can still view restricted records, but the general public cannot.
A successfully restricted record means you can legally answer “no” to most questions asking whether you have been arrested or convicted for the restricted offense.
Eligibility depends on how your case was resolved. Georgia law allows restriction in these situations:
If your charges were dismissed, you were found not guilty, or prosecution was declined by the DA, you are generally eligible to restrict the arrest record — in many cases at no cost through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).
If you were sentenced under Georgia’s First Offender Act and successfully completed probation or your sentence without a conviction being entered, your record can be restricted. This is one of the most powerful tools available to first-time offenders in Georgia.
Certain drug offenses resolved under Georgia’s Conditional Discharge statute are eligible for restriction upon successful completion of the program.
Some convictions — particularly older ones or those for specific offense categories — may now qualify for restriction under recent expansions to Georgia law. An attorney review is the best way to determine if your conviction qualifies.
Record restriction removes your record from most civilian background checks and restores important civil rights. However, it does not automatically restore firearm rights if your conviction involved a qualifying felony — that requires a separate petition or pardon. It also does not affect federal background checks for firearms purchases or federal employment.
If restoring your gun rights is also a priority, our attorneys handle both processes and can pursue them together. Learn more about Georgia gun rights restoration.
Step 1 — Free Eligibility Review: We review your criminal history to determine which offenses qualify and which agency handles the restriction (GCIC, the arresting agency, or the court).
Step 2 — Gather Documentation: We collect your arrest records, disposition paperwork, and any First Offender or Conditional Discharge documentation needed to support the petition.
Step 3 — File the Petition: We prepare and file the restriction petition with the correct agency or court. For conviction-based restrictions, we represent you through the hearing process if required.
Step 4 — GCIC Update: Once the order is granted, we track the update through GCIC to confirm your record is properly restricted in the state database and no longer appearing on standard background checks.
Straightforward arrest-based restrictions (dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts) typically process in 4 to 8 weeks. Court-based petitions for First Offender or conviction restrictions can take 2 to 4 months depending on the county and docket. We keep you updated throughout.
We offer flat-fee pricing for record restriction services. There are no hourly billing surprises. Visit our pricing page for full details, or call us for a free consultation and we’ll walk through your specific situation.
Don’t let an old arrest or conviction hold you back. Call us at 404-800-3030 for a free case review, or fill out the form below to get started. We handle cases throughout Georgia.
1100 Peachtree St NE, #690
Phone: (404) 800-3030 
