Participants engaging with staff at Savannah's expungement clinic, seeking a fresh start.
On April 25, 2025, Savannah hosted its quarterly expungement clinic, organized by the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office. Over 600 participants attended, doubling last year’s numbers. The event provided essential resources and support, helping individuals navigate the expungement process to secure better opportunities for employment, housing, and education. With a festive atmosphere, attendees enjoyed food and community spirit as they took steps towards a fresh start under Georgia’s Second Chance Law.
In a remarkable show of community spirit, the city of Savannah was buzzing with activity on April 25, 2025, as the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office held its exciting quarterly expungement clinic. This much-anticipated event took place at the Southwest Branch Live Oak Library, located at 14097 Abercorn St., and it was a heartfelt gathering aimed at enabling individuals to take important steps towards a fresh start.
The clinic, organized in partnership with local legal champions such as DeVetter Law Firm, Georgia Legal Services, Deep Center, and Goodwill, attracted over 600 eager participants. This overwhelming turnout more than doubled last autumn’s attendance, which was an impressive 250 attendees. The event called for careful planning, and staff swiftly moved people from downstairs to accommodate the larger crowd upstairs, ensuring that everyone received the help they needed.
As they arrived, participants were greeted warmly by the smiling staff, who guided them through an efficient sign-up process. Attendees filled out application forms and showed valid drivers’ licenses or identification. The staff then leveraged these IDs to access participants’ criminal records through the Georgia criminal information system, determining which charges were eligible for expungement.
Expungement, often referred to as record restriction, is a powerful tool that allows individuals with certain misdemeanors or nonviolent offenses to wipe the slate clean. Charges that can be expunged include those that did not result in a conviction, allowing people to move past events like dismissals, nolle prose, and acquittals. Given that around 1 in 3 Americans may not even be aware of what appears on their criminal record, this event served as a vital resource for many looking to enhance their prospects for employment, housing, college, and military service.
It is essential to note, however, that felony convictions—such as those for murder, sex crimes, and crimes against children—are not eligible for expungement. That being said, under Georgia’s Second Chance Law, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, individuals have the opportunity to restrict eligible convictions on their criminal records. This significant legislation was championed by Governor Brian Kemp in 2020, opening pathways for countless individuals to secure a brighter future.
Among the attendees was Mr. Morris Pollard, the President of the We Love Cann Park Association, who has witnessed the powerful transformations afforded by the expungement process. He highlighted how people who participated in his courses have found new hope and opportunities thanks to fresh starts granted by expungements.
As the day went on, participants enjoyed delicious refreshments, with hamburgers and hotdogs sizzling on the grill outside the library. The festive atmosphere encouraged a sense of community, ensuring that everyone felt supported as they worked towards achieving their goals.
The previous expungement clinic demonstrated the event’s potential impact, with 237 records successfully cleared in October 2024. This year’s success reflects an ever-growing desire among residents to reclaim their narratives. The Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones and her dedicated staff, showcased an unwavering commitment to helping individuals overcome obstacles and pursue a future filled with possibility.
In conclusion, Savannah’s quarterly expungement clinic stands as a shining example of what happens when communities come together to empower individuals seeking second chances. The road to a fresh start may look different for everyone, but events like this remind us of our shared humanity and the collective journey towards healing and growth.
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