Bill > HB162

This bill modifies Georgia law concerning the handling of records for individuals sentenced under the First Offender Act, which allows for a sentence to be discharged without a formal adjudication of guilt if the individual successfully completes their probation. Specifically, the bill mandates that at the time of sentencing, courts must restrict public access to first offender sentencing information, including sealing criminal records and restricting dissemination of arrest information, unless specific exceptions apply, such as for criminal justice agencies for employment purposes or for firearm transfer determinations. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that these records will remain restricted and sealed until the individual's first offender status is revoked and they are adjudicated guilty, at which point the restriction and sealing will be removed, and the records can be disseminated. The bill also allows individuals sentenced under the First Offender Act prior to July 1, 2026, who have not had their sentence revoked, to petition the court to seal their case information, and it outlines specific entities, such as law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys, that will still have access to these records even when sealed.