Second Chance Desk

Welcome to the Augusta Judicial Circuit (AJC) Second Chance Desk. 

The AJC Second Chance Desk is a FREE resource helping citizens of Burke and Richmond Counties clear eligible criminal records and access opportunity.

The AJC Second Chance Desk is a partnership between the Georgia Justice Project, the District Attorney’s Office for the Augusta Judicial Circuit and the Office of the Solicitor General of Richmond County. Our goal is to provide FREE advice and self-help assistance to individuals regarding their criminal history so they can restrict and seal eligible criminal records from cases stemming from arrests/cases in Burke and Richmond Counties.

Located in the Augusta Public Library Headquarters at 823 Telfair Street Augusta, GA, 30901, the AJC Second Chance Desk is open and staffed on the first Wednesday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Pre-registration for an appointment is required. Walk-ins will be handled on a case-by-case basis depending upon availability.

If you have any questions, please call us at (404) 640-7821 or email [email protected].

 

What is the AJC Second Chance Desk? 

The AJC Second Chance Desk is a free help desk housed in the Augusta Public Library Headquarters where individuals can have their criminal history reviewed by an attorney, get a free consultation, and receive assistance filling out pro se (filed on your behalf) restriction and sealing forms for eligible offenses.    

Why a Second Chance Desk? 

Record restriction (and sealing) eligibility and the process for applying can be confusing and intimidating for many people. Many individuals with a criminal history who would be eligible to restrict and seal their record never do so because they are not aware what remedies are available to them and/or are not sure how to access those remedies.  As a result, millions of Georgians face barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities – which has a negative impact on individuals, families, and on our community. This desk will be able to help people with this often-confusing process of clearing their criminal histories.

What is a record restriction? 

Record restriction means that eligible records on your official Georgia criminal history report are restricted from public view and are only accessible to law enforcement for criminal justice purposes and some governmental agencies. To learn more about restricting and sealing your Georgia record, visit: www.gjp.org/record-restriction-expungement/faq/ 

What is record sealing? 

Sealing means that eligible court records are sealed from public view and only accessible to law enforcement for criminal justice purposes and some governmental agencies. Cases that have been sealed/expunged should not appear on a private background check. To learn more about restricting and sealing your Georgia record, visit: www.gjp.org/record-restriction-expungement/faq/ 

What can I do if I apply for a job/housing and am denied based on my record?

You can request a copy of the background check used to deny you and dispute any inaccuracies. Then, you can try to restrict and seal any eligible offenses. To learn more about disputing private background checks, visit:  https://gjp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023.8.1-FCRA-One-Pager-With-Letter.pdf

How do I register for an appointment at the AJC Second Chance Desk? 

Currently, you must pre-register for an appointment to be seen at the desk. Appointment registration opens on the first Monday of every month. If there are no available appointments (you only see red and white dates) you will have to wait for registration to reopen. Please click below to complete the registration information and select an appointment date and time. Second Chance Desk Application Form.

If you have questions, call (404) 640-7821.