Seven first-time offenders recently graduated from the first anti-recidivism program through the DeKalb County District Attorney’s office.

D.A. Robert James started the program last year for offenders between 17 and 25 who were arrested on felony charges. Their cases were removed from court and into the program.

To qualify, each defendant had to make a year-long commitment to report to private probation, perform community service, undergo random alcohol/drug testing, abide by a curfew or electronic monitoring, pay restitution, attend 52 hours of behavior modification classes and enroll in school or a high-school diploma program.

The seven graduates all had their cases dismissed. They also may apply to have the cases permanently expunged from their criminal history.

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC