Judicial Council Committee on Access to Justice Record Restriction Clinic Albany, Georgia May 5, 2022
Justice Verda Colvin of the Supreme Court of Georgia and Judge Ken Hodges of the Court of Appeals of Georgia stopped into the event to lend their support and encouragement.Chief Superior Court Judge Willie Lockette of the Dougherty Judicial Circuit attended the clinic and spoke extensively with clinic participants, volunteer lawyers, and the many representatives from local community organizations that were offering additional services to clinic participants.Justice Verda Colvin and Attorney Elizabeth Gibson.Attorney Salley Jusu and Justice Verda Colvin.Attorneys Elizabeth Gibson and Salley Jusu with the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office were instrumental in organizing this clinic and many lawyers from the Dougherty Circuit Bar Association volunteered their time to serve clinic participants.Many, many Georgians were helped at this record restriction clinic, and we gathered some of their stories.
“This will help me with housing, housing, housing! People get discouraged because there are many steps in the [records restriction] process, but I was determined, and the Southwest Georgia Legal Self-Help Center would not let me give up on myself. They are excellent.”
“I went through rehab and I’m trying to get my record cleared to become a fireman. I’m scheduled to start a training program for firemen on June 1, 2022. I have a lot of people supporting me and this is helping a lot.”
Many community partners were on hand to offer additional support to clinic participants.
The A2J Committee is grateful to the many sponsors that ensured this event’s success, including: the Albany Police Department, Albany Second Chance, Dougherty Circuit Bar Association, Dougherty County Board of Commissioners, Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office, Dougherty County Law Library, Dougherty County Police Department, Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, GABWA, Georgia Justice Project, Georgia Legal Services Program, and Goodwill of Albany.
