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Resident urges charter change to add "second chance" protections; commission directs attorney to draft review
Summary
Law student and community advocate Lawrence Brandon told the commission the city's charter policy discriminates against justice-involved residents and asked for a 2/3 charter amendment; commissioners asked legal staff to draft vetted language and assess litigation risk and directed the attorney to produce recommended language for future consideration.
Law student Lawrence Brandon told the Augusta Richmond County Commission on March 18 that the commission should amend Section 140 of the local charter to provide explicit protections or consideration for residents with prior nonviolent justice system involvement who can demonstrate substantial rehabilitation.
Brandon said he has pushed the issue for two years and argued the existing wording creates an “underinclusive” classification that he believes would fail rational-basis review in court. He said the change would give government discretion to encourage contracting and civic participation by justice‑involved people who have shown rehabilitation.
Why it matters: Brandon framed the proposal as a narrowly drawn charter change intended to protect the county from frivolous suits while expanding opportunities for rehabilitation. County attorneys cautioned that inserting a new, discrete protected class in the charter could increase the county’s exposure to discrimination claims in some circumstances.
What happened at the meeting: Interim general counsel and in-house attorneys advised commissioners not to rush to a vote and to consider the legal implications. The commission approved a motion to direct the county attorney and legal staff to draft or review proposed language, evaluate litigation risk, and return with recommended wording and analysis for the commission to consider before any formal charter change process moves forward.
What the attorney said: Attorney Plunkett told commissioners that creating an explicit protected class could expand plaintiffs’ potential discrimination claims and recommended careful drafting and vetting. He offered to work with staff to produce language that balances the intent of a second‑chance policy with advice on minimizing legal exposure.
Next steps: The commission’s direction was procedural—staff will draft suggested language, map potential legal risks, and return with options rather than placing the amendment on the floor immediately. Brandon pressed for a vote and vowed to pursue the issue further if the body does not act.
