# Removing a criminal record in Georgia — lawyer A criminal record gets in the way of jobs, visas, emigration and much more. By law it expires after a set period, and if you have behaved impeccably since serving your sentence, a court can remove it even earlier. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances Under Article 79 of the Criminal Code, a person has a criminal record from the day the guilty verdict enters into force until the record expires or is removed. An expired or removed record is no longer taken into account. Before the period ends, a court decides on removal at your request if you have behaved impeccably since serving the sentence. We prepare the application and the evidence — work, family, references — and represent you in court. ## When a criminal record expires - Suspended sentence — when the probation period ends - A sentence lighter than imprisonment — 1 year after serving it - Imprisonment for a less serious crime — 3 years after serving it - Imprisonment for a serious crime — 6 years after serving it - Imprisonment for an especially serious crime — 8 years after serving it A less serious crime carries a maximum of up to 5 years, a serious crime up to 10 years, and an especially serious crime more than 10 years or life. If you were released early or your sentence was replaced with a lighter one, the period runs from the sentence actually served. ## Our services - Calculating the expiry date in your case - Application for early removal of the record - Evidence of impeccable conduct - Representation in court - Advice on visas, jobs and emigration - Appealing a refusal ## Questions & answers ### When will my criminal record expire? It depends on the sentence and the category of crime: for a suspended sentence — after the probation period; for imprisonment — 3, 6 or 8 years after serving it. ### Can a criminal record be removed early? Yes. If you have behaved impeccably since serving the sentence, a court can remove the record at your request before the period ends. ### What does a removed record mean? An expired or removed record is no longer taken into account — for example, when a new case is classified or a sentence is set. ## Legal basis - [Criminal Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/16426) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. ## Related topics - [#Criminal law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) - [#Your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - - [Criminal defence lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) - - [Cybercrime lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) - - [Juvenile lawyer in Georgia: legal help for minors](https://mmlaw.ge/en/juvenile-justice-lawyer/) - - [Detained in Georgia? Your rights and what to do](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - - [Police search in Georgia: your rights and what to do](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/police-search-your-rights/) - - [Fraud charges in Georgia: penalties and your defence](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/fraud-charges-in-georgia/) - - [Theft charges in Georgia: penalties and your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/theft-charges-in-georgia/) - - [Domestic violence charges in Georgia: what to know](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/domestic-violence-charges-georgia/) Practice areas ## Other practice areas - [Criminal defense](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) — Defense at every stage — from investigation and arrest to trial and appeal. - [Drug offences](https://mmlaw.ge/en/drug-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in cases of buying, possessing, selling and importing drugs — and against fines and administrative detention. - [Cybercrime](https://mmlaw.ge/en/cybercrime-lawyer/) — Defense in cybercrime cases and help for victims of online fraud, hacked accounts and blackmail. - [Property crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/property-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in theft, robbery, fraud, extortion, embezzlement and misappropriation cases. - [Economic crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/economic-crime-lawyer/) — Defence against tax evasion, money laundering, customs and other economic charges. - [Corruption and official crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corruption-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in bribery, trading in influence and abuse of official power cases. - [Violent crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/violent-crime-lawyer/) — Defence in assault, bodily injury, threats and homicide cases — including self-defence. - [Juvenile justice](https://mmlaw.ge/en/juvenile-justice-lawyer/) — Specialised representation of minors, focused on their rights and future. - [Civil litigation](https://mmlaw.ge/en/civil-litigation-lawyer/) — Contract, property and damages disputes — negotiated or argued in court. - [Administrative law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) — Challenging decisions of public bodies, fines, permits and licences. - [Labor disputes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/employment-lawyer/) — Unlawful dismissal, unpaid wages and employment contracts — for employees and employers. - [Corporate law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/corporate-lawyer/) — Company formation, contracts, compliance and shareholder matters. - [Real estate](https://mmlaw.ge/en/real-estate-lawyer/) — Due diligence, purchase agreements, registration and property disputes. - [Family law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/family-lawyer/) — Divorce, custody, alimony and division of property — handled with discretion. - [Inheritance](https://mmlaw.ge/en/inheritance-lawyer/) — Accepting an inheritance, the certificate of inheritance, wills and disputes between heirs. - [Intellectual property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/intellectual-property-lawyer/) — Trademarks, copyright and protection of your creative and business assets. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-record-removal/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge