Arrest Expungement Program Begins In Cobb County

COBB COUNTY, GA — People arrested in Cobb County may be eligible for Cobb County District Attorney Flynn Broady's new records-restriction desk, the Cobb Second Chance Desk.

The Second Chance Desk — which is scheduled to open Friday, June 25 — will help eligible people arrested in Cobb County clear their criminal records and gain better opportunities by restricting access to their arrest records and courthouse files, according to a news release from the district attorney's office.

The help desk is now taking online appointments in advance, and will be open to the public on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Anyone hoping to register online can do so here.

“This is justice in action,” Broady said in a news release. “Removing barriers that keep nonviolent people from being productive members of society benefits everyone.”

Sealed and restricted records do not show up on background checks done by employers and housing providers, but expunged records will show up on databases for law enforcement and prosecuting agencies.

Eligible Georgians for records restriction include those who had charges against them dropped or if they were released from custody before the arresting agency filed charges, according to state law.

The district attorney's office said this program is the first of its kind in Georgia. The program is a coalition between the DA and the Georgia Justice Project, and in partnership with Public Defender Randy Harris, Cobb Solicitor General Barry Morgan and the Cobb Judicial Circuit.

Attorneys from the Georgia Justice Project and employees from the Public Defender's Office will staff the Second Chance Desk.

About 40 percent of working-age adults have a criminal history in Georgia — or roughly 4.3 million people. Removing barriers that "keep nonviolent people from being productive members of society" helps with employment, financial aid, housing and other vital services, the district attorney's office said.

"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," said Doug Ammar, executive director of Georgia Justice Project, in a news release. "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."

For more information, email secondchancedesk@cobbcounty.org, call 404-834-8604 or visit Cobb County's website here.