If your arrest photo is featured on BustedInWakeCounty.com, you’re not alone. Each year, thousands of Wake County residents and visitors find their mugshots published online, even after charges are dropped or expunged. This can lead to unfair stigma, employment denial, and mental distress.
This 2025 mugshot removal guide walks you through actionable methods to remove your information from BustedInWakeCounty.com and regain control of your personal reputation.
Understanding the Impact of Mugshot Exposure in Wake County
- 1 Understanding the Impact of Mugshot Exposure in Wake County
- 2 Is It Legal for BustedInWakeCounty.com to Post Your Mugshot?
- 3 Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Your Mugshot from BustedInWakeCounty.com
- 4 What to Do If BustedInWakeCounty.com Refuses to Remove It
- 5 Will It Be Removed from Google After Deletion?
- 6 Why Use Remove Arrest for Mugshot Deletion?
- 7 How to Prevent Your Arrest Info from Appearing Again
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
Mugshot publishing sites thrive on public records and online visibility. BustedInWakeCounty.com aggregates arrest data, booking photos, and charges primarily from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. While these records are technically public, their online publication is not without consequence.
Negative implications of public mugshots include:
- Employment background check failures
- Denied housing or rental opportunities
- Damaged personal relationships
- Emotional stress and reputational harm
In North Carolina, mugshots may remain accessible even if a case is dismissed or expunged. That’s why pursuing mugshot removal is essential.
Is It Legal for BustedInWakeCounty.com to Post Your Mugshot?
Yes, in most cases. Arrest records and booking photos are considered public records under the North Carolina Public Records Law. BustedInWakeCounty.com lawfully republishes these records. However, the legality of retaining and profiting from mugshots after dismissal or expungement is being challenged in many states.
Good to Know:
- You have legal rights under North Carolina’s expungement statutes.
- You can request takedown if the charges were dropped or sealed.
- There are ethical and potentially legal issues around profiteering from such data.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Your Mugshot from BustedInWakeCounty.com
1. Confirm Your Mugshot Exists on the Site
Go to BustedInWakeCounty.com and search for your name. Take a screenshot and note the URL of the image or listing.
2. Check the Disposition of Your Case
Visit the North Carolina Court System or contact the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court to determine the outcome of your case:
- Dismissed
- Not Guilty
- Expunged
If your record qualifies, you may proceed with removal steps.
3. File for Expungement (If Eligible)
Expungement permanently deletes your record from court databases. If successful, you can legally request the mugshot be removed.
Requirements for expungement in NC include:
- No prior felony convictions
- Case dismissed or found not guilty
- Waiting period met (varies by charge type)
Consult the North Carolina Expunction Guide for official forms and eligibility.
4. Send a Removal Request to the Website Admin
BustedInWakeCounty.com may have a contact form or listed email. Your takedown request should include:
- Full name
- Arrest date
- Copy of court order or expungement confirmation
- Direct URL of the mugshot
Sample Email Template:
Subject: Request for Mugshot Removal from BustedInWakeCounty.com
To Whom It May Concern,
I am requesting the removal of my arrest information and mugshot from your website. The charges have been dismissed/expunged. Attached is a copy of the official court order.
My name: John A. Smith
Date of arrest: March 15, 2023
Mugshot URL: https://www.bustedinwakecounty.com/john-a-smith
Please confirm when this content will be removed.
Sincerely,
John A. Smith5. Document Everything
Keep copies of all correspondence and evidence, including screenshots, emails, and delivery confirmations. This documentation is useful if you escalate the matter to legal authorities.
What to Do If BustedInWakeCounty.com Refuses to Remove It
If your request is ignored or denied, consider the following steps:
- Hire a mugshot removal professional (like Remove Arrest)
- File a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Justice
- Send a cease-and-desist letter through an attorney
- Explore defamation or privacy tort claims if inaccuracies exist
Also, report the domain to Google Search using their Remove Outdated Content tool.
Will It Be Removed from Google After Deletion?
Not automatically. Even if BustedInWakeCounty.com deletes the page, it may still appear in search engine results until Google recrawls it.
To speed up removal:
- Visit Google Search Console’s Removal Tool
- Paste the URL of the deleted mugshot
- Submit a request for content removal
This helps clean your search results faster.
Why Use Remove Arrest for Mugshot Deletion?
Remove Arrest offers comprehensive mugshot and arrest record removal services nationwide, including Wake County. Our team of legal analysts, content removal experts, and privacy specialists provide:
- Fast and discreet removals
- Court document verification and takedown support
- Search engine deindexing
- Reputation repair
Act now to protect your future. Contact Remove Arrest for a confidential consultation.
How to Prevent Your Arrest Info from Appearing Again
After removal, follow these steps to protect yourself from republication:
- Monitor your name using tools like Google Alerts
- Opt out of people search engines (e.g., Spokeo, MyLife, Whitepages)
- Regularly audit search results
- Consider privacy protection services
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on whether you qualify and submit proper documentation. Some removals take 7-14 business days after request submission.
While the practice has drawn legal scrutiny, North Carolina currently allows websites to charge for removal. New legislation could change that in the near future.
Possibly. If the information is inaccurate or violates an expungement, you may have grounds under privacy or defamation laws. Always consult a licensed attorney.
You can still request removal, especially if your record has been expunged. Provide documentation to support your case.
No, but it strengthens your legal case for removal. Once expunged, most websites comply to avoid liability.
The North Carolina General Assembly governs public records laws. For updates, visit the official legislative site.
While no one can promise 100% success, Remove Arrest has one of the highest success rates in the mugshot removal industry.
MLA Citations:
U.S. Department of Justice. “Privacy and Civil Liberties.” Justice.gov, https://www.justice.gov/opcl/privacy-civil-liberties
North Carolina Judicial Branch. “Expunction Guide and Petition Forms.” NCCourts.gov, https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms/petition-and-order-of-expunction
North Carolina General Assembly. “General Statutes – Chapter 132: Public Records.” NCLeg.gov, https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByChapter/Chapter_132.pdf
Google. “Remove Outdated Content Tool.” Google Search Console, https://search.google.com/search-console/remove-outdated-content
Wake County Sheriff’s Office. “Records and Information.” WakeSheriff.com, https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/sheriff/records