Your criminal record in Georgia can affect your life in many ways—from finding a job or renting a home, to restoring your civil rights or clearing past mistakes. Whether you’ve had just one arrest or multiple convictions, it’s important to understand what’s in your record, who can see it, and how you may be able to clean it up.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what you should know about your criminal record in Georgia and what steps you can take to protect your future.
What Is Included in Your Criminal Record in Georgia?
If you’ve ever been arrested and fingerprinted in Georgia, your information is stored in the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). This is your official state criminal history.
Here’s what a GCIC criminal record includes:
- Personal details – name, date of birth, social security number, sex, race, height, weight
- Arrest data – arresting agency, date of arrest, and charges
- Prosecutor information – the DA’s office and any formal charges filed
- Court records – case outcome (disposition) and sentencing details
This report is available to law enforcement, courts, and some public agencies. It’s also used in background checks for employment, housing, and public benefits.
That’s why it’s critical to review your GCIC record for accuracy and take action if something’s wrong or eligible to be restricted.
How Many People in Georgia Have a Criminal Record?
You’re not alone. In fact, criminal records are more common than you might think.
According to data:
- Over 4.3 million people in Georgia have a criminal record
- That’s about 40% of adults in Georgia—even higher than the national average of 30%
- Over 602,000 people in the state have at least one felony conviction
- Nearly 2 million people have at least one misdemeanor conviction
- For 60% of those with a misdemeanor, it’s their only arrest ever
This means millions of Georgians face the same challenges—and you’re not alone if you’re looking for ways to fix your record.
What Doesn’t Show Up on Your Criminal Record?
Not everything you’ve been cited or charged with will show up on your official criminal history.
Here are examples of what does not go on your criminal record in Georgia:
- Traffic citations like speeding tickets (unless it’s a DUI or serious driving offense)
- Municipal or county ordinance violations (like curfew violations or local code infractions)
These incidents may still appear on your driving history, but not your official GCIC criminal record—unless they involved an arrest for a “fingerprintable offense”.
Can You Stop Employers or Landlords from Seeing Your Criminal Record?
In Georgia, most employers and landlords run background checks. Some use the official GCIC database, but many rely on private companies that pull from public court records.
That means even if a charge was dismissed, or the court record is outdated, it might still show up in a private background check.
To prevent others from seeing certain records, you may be able to:
- Restrict your GCIC criminal history
- Seal your court case records (so private companies can’t access them)
Doing both steps gives you the best chance of protecting your privacy and moving forward without your past holding you back.
How to Clean Up Your Criminal Record in Georgia
Depending on the type of offense and your situation, you may have legal options to restrict (hide) and seal (remove from public access) your criminal record.
Let’s break it down by offense type:
Can You Remove a Felony Conviction?
Maybe. Georgia law allows some people to restrict and seal felony convictions through:
1. Retroactive First Offender (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-66)
If you were eligible for First Offender treatment when you were sentenced but didn’t know it, you might still get that benefit after the fact—but only if the prosecutor agrees and the judge approves.
Result: No longer a conviction; record can be sealed.
2. Restrict & Seal Pardoned Convictions (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37)
If you were granted a pardon, you can petition to restrict and seal that offense—unless it’s a serious violent felony or serious sex offense, which are not eligible.
Result: Conviction hidden from GCIC and sealed from public view.
3. Survivors First Act Relief (O.C.G.A. §§ 17-10-21, 35-3-37)
If your crime happened while you were being trafficked, you may be able to have it vacated, restricted, and sealed.
Result: Record may be erased or hidden depending on court approval.
Can You Remove a Misdemeanor Conviction?
Yes, and the rules are a bit more flexible.
1. Retroactive First Offender
Same as for felonies—if you were eligible but didn’t know, you might still qualify.
2. Restrict & Seal Two Misdemeanor Convictions
If your convictions were at least 4 years ago, you’ve completed your sentence, and haven’t been arrested since, the judge may allow you to restrict and seal up to 2 misdemeanors.
3. Survivors First Act
Same protections apply to survivors of sex or labor trafficking for misdemeanors, too.
Can You Remove a Non-Conviction?
Yes. If charges were dismissed, not indicted, or you were found not guilty, you can likely restrict and seal the arrest.
The process depends on when you were arrested:
- Before July 1, 2013 – You must apply through the arresting agency
- After July 1, 2013 – Records should be automatically restricted, but you may still need to ask the court to seal the clerk’s file
Can You Remove a Pending Case?
Maybe. If your case is on the dead docket (meaning the case is inactive) for over 12 months, you might be able to restrict and seal it. But this is tricky—talk to a lawyer first.
Can You Fix Errors in Your Criminal Record?
Yes—and it’s important to do so.
Criminal records often have errors, like wrong charges, outdated dispositions, or mistaken identity. Here’s what you can do:
- If the agency made a mistake: Ask them to correct it.
- If they won’t fix it: Appeal to the original court that handled the case.
- If it’s a case of identity theft: Get a record inspection from the GCIC and take steps to correct the record.
Who Can Get Their Civil Rights Restored in Georgia?
If you’ve lost your civil rights (like voting or holding public office), you may be able to get them back.
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles handles this, but you must:
- Have finished all your sentences, and
- Live in Georgia or have a conviction from a Georgia court
Restored rights include:
- Running for public office
- Serving on a jury
- Becoming a Notary Public
This can help with your ability to fully participate in society again.
Who Can Get a Pardon in Georgia?
A pardon is an official forgiveness, usually for a felony (though misdemeanors can qualify too). It can help with employment, housing, or education opportunities.
To qualify, you must:
- Finish all your sentences
- Wait at least 5 years after sentence completion
- Have no new convictions or pending charges
- Have no unpaid fines
Georgia can only pardon Georgia convictions—not federal crimes or convictions from other states.
Final Thoughts: What Should You Do Now?
If you have a criminal record in Georgia, here are practical steps you can take today:
- Get your GCIC report – Review it for accuracy
- Understand what’s eligible for restriction or sealing
- Fix errors if you find any
- Apply to restrict/seal qualifying convictions or non-convictions
- Ask about a pardon or civil rights restoration if needed
- Seal your court files to limit public background checks