Record Restriction & Expungement Services in Alpharetta, Georgia
Clear Your Criminal Record and Move Forward Without Legal Barriers
A criminal record can affect nearly every aspect of your life—from employment opportunities to housing applications and professional licensing. Even if charges were dismissed or resolved without conviction, the record of the arrest or accusation can still show up in background checks. For residents in Alpharetta, Georgia and across North Fulton County, navigating Georgia’s record restriction and expungement laws requires deep legal knowledge and a commitment to client privacy and protection.
With over 48 years of criminal defense experience, Scott N.G. Childress, Attorney at Law, offers focused and results-driven representation for individuals seeking to restrict or expunge their records. Whether your case involves an arrest without prosecution, a completed diversion program, or an outdated conviction, we work to limit public access to your history and restore your reputation.
Georgia law allows for the restriction of eligible records, preventing them from appearing on most public background checks. However, the process is not automatic and often requires legal petitioning and coordination with prosecuting agencies. With a strategic legal approach, we help clients throughout Alpharetta and surrounding communities assert their rights and rebuild their lives without the stigma of a past legal issue.
Our goal is to help you move forward. Through legal clarity, persistent advocacy, and procedural accuracy, we offer trusted record restriction and expungement services that prioritize your future. Take the first step toward protecting your identity and regaining personal and professional freedom.
Benefits of Record Restriction & Expungement
Improves Employment Opportunities
Employers often conduct background checks before making hiring decisions. Having a record—regardless of conviction—can limit access to jobs. Record restriction ensures your eligible history does not appear in routine screenings, giving you a better chance to secure employment and avoid stigma based on a past mistake or charge.
Restores Housing and Loan Eligibility
Many landlords and lending institutions use criminal background checks when evaluating applicants. A visible record could disqualify you from housing options or financial aid. Restricting or expunging your record increases your credibility, opens access to more competitive housing, and improves your chances of loan approval.
Supports Professional Licensing and Certification
Numerous professional boards consider criminal history in licensing decisions. Nurses, teachers, and tradespeople can face hurdles due to arrests or non-convictions. Expungement or restriction can clear your path to certifications, state credentials, and stable careers in regulated industries.
Enhances Personal Privacy
Court and arrest records are public unless legally restricted. Expungement minimizes public access, helping you protect your name and reputation in online searches, databases, and legal archives. This level of privacy is especially valuable in professional, educational, or leadership roles.
Prevents Future Legal Bias
Having an accessible record can influence how law enforcement or prosecutors handle future unrelated matters. Record restriction helps reduce this bias, ensuring you're treated fairly without prior assumptions during any future legal proceedings or background evaluations.
Provides Peace of Mind
Knowing that your past is no longer publicly visible offers emotional and psychological relief. Record restriction grants peace of mind, allowing you to focus on personal growth, family, and future plans without fear of lingering legal consequences affecting your progress.
Our Record Restriction and Expungement Services
Arrest Record Restriction Petitions
We file formal petitions to restrict arrest records that did not result in a conviction. This includes cases where charges were dismissed, nolle prosequi was entered, or where clients completed a diversion program. Our team ensures all procedural steps are followed to secure restrictions and minimize future visibility.
Juvenile Record Expungement
Juvenile offenses should not follow minors into adulthood. We assist families in clearing juvenile records once eligibility conditions are met. Our team helps young clients move forward without lasting barriers in education, employment, or military service caused by early legal issues.
Conviction Record Restriction (Post-2021 Law)
For certain misdemeanor convictions, Georgia law now allows record restriction after a waiting period and meeting additional conditions. We help determine eligibility under the new statutes and file the necessary motions to clear your conviction from public records when applicable.
Diversion Program Documentation and Follow-Up
If you completed a pretrial diversion or conditional discharge, we follow up with the prosecuting office to ensure your eligibility for record restriction is documented and acted upon. We help ensure that completing the program translates into tangible legal relief.
Court Coordination and Legal Filings
We work directly with the Solicitor’s or District Attorney’s office and the Clerk of Court to process your record restriction efficiently. Our attention to legal detail ensures that paperwork is properly filed and recorded with all necessary agencies.
Denied Petition Appeals and Reviews
If your initial request for restriction or expungement has been denied, we offer appellate representation. We review the reasons for denial and advocate for reconsideration or correction based on current law, changed circumstances, or procedural violations that may have occurred.
Unlock New Opportunities in Employment, Housing, and Licensing with Expungement
At Scott N.G. Childress, Attorney at Law, we understand how much a criminal record can impact your future—even if the incident happened years ago or never resulted in a conviction. In Alpharetta, Georgia and surrounding communities, opportunities are too valuable to let outdated records define your potential.
Record restriction and expungement services are more than just legal procedures—they are life-changing tools for individuals seeking a clean slate. With Georgia law providing increasing flexibility for eligible cases, now is the time to explore how legal intervention can protect your privacy, restore your rights, and improve your access to employment, housing, and education.
Our team is committed to helping clients regain control over their public image. We combine decades of legal experience with a personalized approach to ensure every record restriction petition is handled with care, accuracy, and a focus on long-term results. Whether you are seeking to restrict an arrest that never led to prosecution or are eligible for post-conviction relief under recent legislation, we’re here to help.
Our legal services are rooted in trust, experience, and a deep understanding of how local courts operate. We serve clients across Alpharetta and the greater North Fulton area with dignity, discretion, and proven legal strategies that yield results.
Don’t let your past continue to limit your future. With professional legal support, you can move forward with confidence and leave unwanted records behind. Let us guide you through the process and advocate for your second chance.
FAQs
What records can be restricted or expunged in Georgia?
Georgia law permits restriction of certain non-convictions, dismissed charges, juvenile offenses, and select misdemeanor convictions. Eligibility depends on the final case outcome, type of charge, time elapsed, and whether statutory requirements have been fully met by the petitioner.
Is record restriction automatic after charges are dropped?
Record restriction does not happen automatically in most cases. A formal petition or coordinated request with the prosecuting agency is typically required. Legal assistance helps ensure the process is correctly initiated, tracked, and completed without missing critical steps or deadlines.
How long does the expungement process take?
Record restriction generally takes between 60 to 120 days, depending on court response times and agency cooperation. Timely filing and thorough documentation help prevent unnecessary setbacks. Legal representation can streamline the process and avoid administrative delays during review and approval.
Can a conviction be removed from my record?
Certain misdemeanor convictions may be eligible for restriction after meeting specific conditions and time periods. Felony convictions are rarely eligible unless pardoned. Each case must be individually assessed to determine if statutory relief options apply based on history and circumstances.
Will restricted records show up on background checks?
Restricted records are removed from public view and typically do not appear in employment or rental background checks. However, law enforcement agencies, courts, and some professional licensing boards may still access these records for legal or regulatory reasons when applicable.
What is the difference between record restriction and expungement?
Georgia now uses the term “record restriction” instead of “expungement.” Record restriction limits public access to qualifying criminal records, though the files remain available to certain state agencies, ensuring sensitive information does not impact private opportunities unnecessarily.
Do juvenile records go away automatically?
Some juvenile records are sealed automatically based on age or offense type, but others require a formal expungement petition. Court outcome, rehabilitation progress, and offense severity all influence whether sealing or restriction is automatic or requires legal follow-through.
Can I apply for a record restriction on my own?
Yes, individuals can file for record restriction independently. However, the process involves legal forms, deadlines, and agency follow-ups. Working with an attorney increases approval chances and avoids common filing errors that can delay or jeopardize your eligibility for relief.
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What our customers say
Wonderful location with a second to none legal practice.
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Wicked sense of humor and unparalleled legal mind!
Simone A.
Always there when I need him! Can’t recommend Scott enough.
Ralph I.
Great service! Scott literally got me out of the dog house. He knows his way around and has lots of experience.
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