Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
The Disconnect Between Expungement and Online Records
- 1 The Disconnect Between Expungement and Online Records
- 2 What Is Expungement?
- 3 What Is Mugshot Removal?
- 4 Why Expungement Does Not Guarantee Mugshot Removal
- 5 Step-by-Step: What to Do After Expungement
- 6 Why You Need Both Expungement and Mugshot Removal
- 7 State Laws That Support Both Processes
- 8 The Role of SEO in Mugshot Suppression
- 9 What to Avoid When Trying to Clear Your Name
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Expungement is a powerful legal remedy that seals or erases certain criminal records. However, many are surprised to learn that it does not guarantee removal of related online content.
Why? Because:
- Public records are scraped by third-party websites before sealing occurs
- Mugshot aggregator sites operate independently of government databases
- Google continues indexing cached versions of old arrest data
Expungement may help you legally, but unless you also pursue mugshot removal, your reputation remains at risk online.
Even government agencies acknowledge that online mugshot databases present persistent reputational risks that outlast legal remedies. This mismatch between court actions and web visibility is increasingly addressed in consumer privacy law.
What Is Expungement?
Expungement is a legal process that either seals or destroys a person’s criminal record. Eligibility depends on:
- State law
- Type of offense
- Time passed since the offense
- Completion of probation, diversion, or sentencing
Benefits of Expungement:
- Prevents future employers from seeing your criminal history
- Stops housing providers from accessing past charges
- Removes many records from public court databases
However, mugshots and arrest records often remain visible elsewhere.
Expungement is often viewed as a reset button—but it’s only effective within the legal ecosystem. The internet operates on an entirely different set of rules.
What Is Mugshot Removal?
Mugshot removal involves:
- Requesting takedowns from mugshot websites
- Submitting de-indexing requests to Google
- Using SEO suppression to push the image down in results
Mugshots Typically Appear On:
- Mugshots.zone
- Bustednewspaper.com
- Arrestfacts.com
- People-search engines like Whitepages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified
These sites monetize arrest records through ad traffic or removal fees—regardless of case outcomes.
Some states have now banned mugshot pay-for-removal schemes, but enforcement is inconsistent, and newer, anonymous sites often emerge.
Why Expungement Does Not Guarantee Mugshot Removal
Even after your case is expunged, mugshot websites may:
- Refuse to update unless contacted directly
- Ignore court orders without legal pressure
- Continue displaying cached data
Google may still show the mugshot even after the site deletes it due to:
- Cached versions
- Link authority
- Inbound backlinks
Many mugshot sites also syndicate their content to partner domains, causing images to reappear even after one takedown.
Source: Google Removal Tool
Expungement is a legal fix. Mugshot removal is a technical and reputational one.
Step-by-Step: What to Do After Expungement
Step 1: Obtain a Certified Copy of Your Expungement Order
Contact your county court or clerk’s office to request official documentation.
Step 2: Identify Every Website Hosting Your Mugshot
Use search queries:
"Your Full Name" + mugshot OR arrest OR booking photoSearch on Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Google Images. Document URLs and screenshots.
Step 3: Send Takedown Requests
Contact the site owner with:
- Court-certified expungement document
- Copy of your ID (censored)
- Direct URL to the mugshot
Use a professional tone and request compliance within 10 business days. Retain proof of email or form submission.
Step 4: Submit to Google for De-Indexing
Use the Google Content Removal Tool and select:
- “Remove information from Google Search”
- Include your documentation and screenshots
De-indexing may take 3–10 days and typically removes the mugshot from appearing in name-related queries.
Step 5: SEO Suppression
If removal fails or is incomplete:
- Build new content about yourself
- Optimize it for your name
- Publish across multiple platforms (LinkedIn, Medium, Substack, YouTube)
Consistent posting and proper SEO will begin to displace harmful listings within 2–4 months.
Why You Need Both Expungement and Mugshot Removal
Legal vs. Online Reputation
| Process | Legal Benefit | Online Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Expungement | Seals or erases record | Doesn’t remove mugshot listings |
| Mugshot Removal | Suppresses visual arrest data | Doesn’t seal court files |
Both are necessary for full recovery:
- Expungement protects legal standing
- Mugshot removal protects search visibility
Employers and admissions officers may never access court records but will see a mugshot on page one of search results.
Professional licenses, college applications, loan approvals, and dating apps are all affected by what’s publicly visible online.
State Laws That Support Both Processes
| State | Expungement Law | Mugshot Removal Requirement |
| California | PC § 1203.4, 851.8 | SB 1027 restricts mugshot publication |
| Georgia | OCGA § 35-3-37 | OCGA § 10-1-393.5 mandates free removal |
| Texas | CCP Art. 55.01 | Business Code §109.002 bans removal charges |
| Utah | Code § 77-40-105 | Mandatory 30-day mugshot removal law |
| Oregon | ORS 137.225 | Treats mugshot monetization as unfair trade |
Reference: NCSL Expungement Law Map
The Role of SEO in Mugshot Suppression
Google indexes what it sees. Even if a site is slow to respond, you can suppress the result through:
Content Building Strategy:
- Register
yourfullname.com - Create core pages: About, Resume, Blog, Contact
- Use schema markup to tag your personal data
- Publish weekly with full-name headlines
- Link to social profiles (LinkedIn, Crunchbase, Substack)
Multimedia SEO:
- Upload YouTube videos with your name in the title and description
- Use press releases on EIN Presswire
- Add positive media interviews or event highlights
Image Optimization:
- Rename images using your full name
- Add descriptive ALT tags
- Use EXIF metadata for geotagging and author profile
The goal is to outrank the mugshot through relevancy, authority, and engagement.
What to Avoid When Trying to Clear Your Name
- Paying removal fees to noncompliant websites
- Ignoring reappearances (mirror sites)
- Filing incomplete or poorly worded requests
- Assuming expungement is a full fix
- Neglecting image removal from Google
- Creating low-quality or plagiarized content for suppression
Stay vigilant. Once your mugshot is online, keeping it suppressed takes effort and persistence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. Mugshot sites are not required to check court statuses unless compelled by request or law.
Yes, in some states. If your case qualifies under local law, you can request removal without paying.
It may be a cached version or syndicated across mirror sites. Use de-indexing and suppression.
They may de-index links if you provide a court order and follow the submission process.
It can be—if you submit removal requests, suppress content with SEO, and monitor for republishing.
Possibly. Many sites will accept documentation of dismissal, diversion, or dropped charges even without formal expungement.
MLA Citations:
“Mugshots and the Law.” American Bar Association, www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/criminal-justice/criminal-record-clearing.
“Expungement and Sealing of Criminal Records Statutes.” National Conference of State Legislatures, www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/expungement-and-sealing-of-criminal-records-statutes.aspx.
“Remove Personal Information from Google.” Google Search Help, support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/3111061.
“Outdated Content Removal.” Google Search Console, search.google.com/search-console/remove-outdated-content.
“Your Right to Removal and Privacy.” Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, www.privacyrights.org.