For removals in cases that have been dismissed/sealed, please see: https://thegeorgiagazette.com/removal-request/
The Georgia Gazette (“TGG”) has created a policy that would allow individuals featured in the “Jail Bookings” section of TheGeorgiaGazette.com to request the removal of their arrest information, even if their criminal case results in a conviction.
A Second Chance Committee (“SCC”) was put in place to review requests made under this policy. To protect the integrity and fairness of the committee, TGG has decided to make these members anonymous.
The SCC will weigh several factors when reviewing each request. These factors include but are not limited to:
The severity of the offenses
The SCC believes serious charges, especially those deemed “violent” by the courts, should be made easily accessible to the public, especially if the charge(s) resulted in a conviction. However, removal may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Time since the date of booking
For most misdemeanor, non-violent charges (e.g. driving with a suspended license), the committee will ensure at least one year has passed since the individual was booked into jail.
A DUI charge (even if it was reduced to a lesser offense) requires two years to have passed since the individual was arrested before being considered for approval.
Felony charges and other violent crimes require a minimum of two years to have passed since the arrest and will be considered for removal on a case-by-case basis.
Final outcome and sentence received (if any)
If the criminal case has concluded, the SCC will examine the outcome, any negotiated plea, as well as the sentence received. They will need the applicant to provide a copy of this paperwork when making their request. All documents received by the SCC, although considered “public record,” will not be disseminated to the public. This does not include documents already made public
Criminal History
Our second chance policy is just that, a second chance. Habitual offenders have a less likely chance of being approved for removal unless extenuating circumstances apply.
Does the harm of the publication outweigh the public’s right to know
The SCC firmly believes that a person should not be judged by their lowest point in life. They understand individuals would like to put these moments behind them. We will look at the impact of the publication against the public’s right to conveniently access the information.
The SCC is not the judge or jury. They do not intend to act as the “punisher.” However, they are aware that making booking information easily accessible to the public does have negative implications. The Second Chance Policy is a way to organize and efficiently process the hundreds of post-conviction removal requests received by TGG each month.
Important Notes:
- TGG or the SCC will never ask for nor accept any form of compensation or other consideration in exchange for the removal of your information. This is strictly prohibited by § 35-1-19.
- TGG and the SCC hold the right to deny the removal request for any reason in their sole discretion when allowed by law.
- The SCC is in no way affiliated or associated with any governmental body. The decisions are solely made on behalf of our digital news publication, The Georgia Gazette, and holds no bearing on the public’s access to the documents elsewhere.
- The SCC and TGG may change this policy at any time, for any reason, with or without prior notice.
- This policy does not supersede any laws governing the removal of booking photographs under § 35-1-19 and Consumer Protection Laws.
- Due to the volume of requests we receive, we may not provide a detailed response if denied.
Please complete the following form to make a removal request to the SCC. We will never sell or share your personal information with anyone outside of the SCC or TGG.