According to the Fulton County Daily Report, the Georgia Criminal Justice Reform Council is set to consider a number of significant reforms to Georgia's criminal laws.  Many of these reforms have been advanced by the Georgia Justice Project.  The reforms will be debated and voted on at the Council's December 18 meeting.

Some highlights include:

• Expanded civil protection for employers hiring persons with criminal records for negligent hiring claims.  This would eliminate a disincentive for employers from hiring persons with criminal histories.  Consequently, this would help persons with such histories obtain employment and be contributing members of society.
• Elimination of questions about criminal history from employment applications.  This is unlikely to apply to private employers but could be considered for state agencies.
• Elimination of automatic driver's license suspensions for drug convictions.  Currently, Georgia suspends driver's license for drug-related convictions even when the underlying conduct does not involve misuse of a vehicle.

Drug conviction suspensions have historically been onerous because of the rules regarding when they run in relation to other convictions.

Drug conviction suspensions can be avoided in some cases by negotiating pleas that come within exceptions to the suspension rules.  Consultation with a criminal defense lawyer should always be a priority for someone facing a drug charge in Georgia.

Contact Sean A. Black at Black Law Offices, LLC, if you or a friend or family member is facing a criminal or drug offense or struggling with the consequences of a conviction.