Georgia Justice Project in Atlanta: How It Works and How to Get Help

If you or a loved one in Atlanta, Georgia has a criminal record or is facing charges, the Georgia Justice Project (GJP) can be an important resource. Based in Atlanta, GJP focuses on criminal defense, reentry support, and record clearing for people involved in the criminal legal system.

This guide explains what the Georgia Justice Project does in Atlanta, who it helps, how to contact them, and what to expect if you’re seeking support.

What Is the Georgia Justice Project?

The Georgia Justice Project is a nonprofit law and social services organization that works with people who have been charged with a crime, incarcerated, or living with a criminal record.

From its Atlanta office, GJP combines:

• Criminal defense representation
• Record-clearing help (like expungement/record restriction where allowed by Georgia law)
• Social services and reentry support
• Advocacy for fairer criminal justice policies in Georgia

GJP is not a government office or a public defender’s office. It’s an independent nonprofit that focuses on long-term support for its clients and on improving how the system works in Georgia.

Where Is Georgia Justice Project in Atlanta?

Main Office (Atlanta):
Georgia Justice Project
438 Edgewood Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
Phone: 404-827-0027

This location is in the Old Fourth Ward / Sweet Auburn area, close to downtown Atlanta and accessible from many neighborhoods by car, bus, or rideshare.

Because services and intake processes can change, it’s usually best to call ahead before visiting in person.

Who Georgia Justice Project Serves in Atlanta

GJP focuses on Georgia residents, with much of its work centered on people who live in or around metro Atlanta and have contact with Georgia’s criminal legal system.

People who may be able to get help from GJP include:

• Individuals facing criminal charges in Georgia courts (especially those who are low-income and need representation)
• People with a Georgia criminal record that affects jobs, housing, or education
• Formerly incarcerated individuals returning to Atlanta or other Georgia communities
• Families of people involved in the criminal system, who may need guidance and support

GJP generally assists adults, although there may be situations involving older youth or young adults; eligibility can depend on the case type and resources available at the time.

Key Services Georgia Justice Project Offers in Atlanta

1. Criminal Defense Representation

One of GJP’s core services is defending people who have been charged with crimes in Georgia.

While GJP cannot represent everyone, it may provide:

• Legal defense in criminal cases for eligible clients
• Advice on plea offers, trials, and sentencing risks
• Support through probation, parole, and compliance issues
• Guidance on how criminal charges may affect employment, housing, schooling, and immigration (where relevant)

If you already have a public defender or private attorney in Fulton County or another metro Atlanta county, GJP usually will not replace them, but it may still be a resource for reentry and record-related issues later on.

2. Record Restriction, Expungement, and Clearing Help

In Atlanta, a criminal record can make it much harder to find work, secure housing, or get certain professional licenses. Georgia law allows some records to be restricted or sealed in certain situations.

Georgia Justice Project often helps with:

• Record restriction (sometimes called “expungement” in casual terms, though Georgia law uses the term “restriction”)
• Understanding what’s on your Georgia criminal history
• Identifying which charges may be eligible for restriction or sealing
• Helping with paperwork and filings to local courts or law enforcement agencies
• Clarifying what employers and landlords can still see after records are restricted

This is especially valuable for people in Atlanta who:

• Were arrested but never convicted
• Had charges dismissed, nolle prossed, or reduced
• Completed certain diversion or accountability court programs
• Have older convictions that might be eligible for some limited relief under current Georgia law

Record-clearing rules can be complex and vary by case, so GJP often starts with a legal screening of your Georgia criminal history.

3. Reentry and Social Services Support

Returning to life in Atlanta after jail or prison is often difficult. Georgia Justice Project pairs legal help with social services, which may include:

• Reentry planning prior to or immediately after release
• Job-readiness support and referrals to workforce programs in Atlanta
• Help navigating ID, documentation, and paperwork requirements
• Support around housing barriers related to a criminal record
• Assistance connecting with counseling, treatment, or community programs

GJP may coordinate with other Atlanta-area organizations, such as:

• Local reentry programs and housing support services
• Workforce development centers in Fulton, DeKalb, and surrounding counties
• Community nonprofits based in neighborhoods like West End, Downtown, Decatur, and South Atlanta

The goal is to address both legal and practical obstacles so that clients have a better chance of rebuilding their lives.

4. Policy and Community Education in Atlanta

In addition to case-by-case services, Georgia Justice Project is active in policy advocacy and community outreach throughout Atlanta and the state.

Common activities include:

• Know-your-rights workshops on criminal records and employment
• Community presentations at churches, schools, and neighborhood organizations
• Advocacy for state law changes around record restriction, sentencing, and reentry

Atlanta residents may encounter GJP staff at public events, community meetings, or trainings focused on criminal justice reform and second-chance opportunities.

How to Contact Georgia Justice Project in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and want to see if GJP can help:

Phone: 404-827-0027
Mailing/Office Address:
Georgia Justice Project
438 Edgewood Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30312

When you call, be prepared to share:

• Your full name and contact information
• Whether you are calling for yourself or someone else
• Basic details about:
  • Any current charges (county, type of offense, court date)
  • Your criminal record history in Georgia
  • What you are specifically asking help with (defense, record restriction, reentry, etc.)

GJP may not be able to take every case, but staff can often:

• Screen your situation
• Tell you whether you might qualify for services
• Suggest next steps or other Atlanta-area resources if they can’t assist directly

What to Expect from the Intake Process

The intake process usually occurs in several steps:

1. Initial Contact
   You call the GJP office or follow any posted intake instructions. A staff member or intake specialist gathers basic information.

2. Eligibility Screening
   GJP reviews:

   • The type of case or record you have
   • Whether your legal issue fits their focus areas
   • Their current capacity to accept new clients

3. Request for Documents
   If you move forward, GJP may ask you for:

   • Court paperwork (indictments, sentencing orders, case numbers)
   • A copy of your Georgia criminal history (sometimes obtained through official channels, like the Georgia Crime Information Center, depending on the situation)

4. Decision and Next Steps
   GJP will tell you:

   • Whether they can represent or assist you
   • Whether they can offer limited help (like advice or forms)
   • Or whether they will refer you elsewhere in the Atlanta area

Because GJP is a nonprofit with finite resources, they focus on cases where they believe they can make a substantial impact.

Georgia Justice Project vs. Other Legal Options in Atlanta

Atlanta residents often wonder how GJP fits in with other legal resources.

Here’s a simple comparison:

In many Atlanta cases:

• You may rely on a public defender or private attorney for your active criminal case, and
• Seek Georgia Justice Project for record restriction or reentry support after your case is resolved—if you qualify and they have capacity.

If GJP Cannot Take Your Case: Other Atlanta Resources

If Georgia Justice Project cannot assist directly, it may still help to know about other options commonly used by Atlanta residents:

• Fulton County Public Defender’s Office
  For criminal cases in Fulton County State or Superior Court where you cannot afford an attorney.

• DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett Public Defenders
  If your case is in another metro county.

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society and Georgia Legal Services Program
  Focus on civil legal issues such as eviction, benefits, and family law; not typically criminal defense, but sometimes helpful with collateral consequences of a record.

For record restriction questions, some people also visit:

• The Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court or State Court Clerk
• The Atlanta Municipal Court (for certain city-level matters)

These offices may provide forms or basic guidance on procedures, though they do not give legal advice.

Tips for Atlanta Residents Considering Georgia Justice Project

If you live in or around Atlanta and think Georgia Justice Project might help you:

• Gather your documents 🗂️
  Collect any court records, sentencing documents, and probation or parole paperwork.

• Know your counties
  Many Atlanta residents have cases or records in multiple Georgia counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett, etc.). Try to list each one.

• Be honest and detailed
  When speaking with GJP staff, share accurate information about your charges, convictions, and prior arrests. This helps them assess eligibility correctly.

• Ask specific questions
  For example:

  • “Is my case eligible for record restriction?”
  • “Can this conviction be sealed from most employers?”
  • “What can I legally tell employers in Atlanta about this record?”

• Stay patient and persistent
  Nonprofits in Atlanta often experience high demand, so callbacks or appointments may take time.

When Georgia Justice Project Is Especially Helpful for Atlantans

GJP can be particularly valuable if you:

• Are coming home to Atlanta after a prison or jail sentence and need both legal and practical support
• Have an old case from an Atlanta-area court that is blocking job or housing opportunities
• Are confused by Georgia’s record restriction rules and need help figuring out what’s possible
• Want a holistic approach that looks beyond just the court case and considers your long-term future in Atlanta

If you or someone you know in Atlanta is navigating criminal charges, reentry, or the shadow of a long-ago record, the Georgia Justice Project can be an important starting point for information, guidance, and—when eligible—direct legal help.

For the most accurate and current details about services, intake times, and eligibility, contact Georgia Justice Project at 404-827-0027 or visit their office at 438 Edgewood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312.