Remove Arrest Records From the Internet: Proven Legal & SEO Tactics

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Why Removing Arrest Records Online Is More Critical Than Ever

In 2025, your search results often shape public perception faster than any résumé, interview, or social connection. Having an arrest record appear in a Google search can:

• Prevent job offers
• Block rental approvals
• Hurt relationships
• Damage long-term credibility

Even if you were never convicted, or if charges were dropped, your arrest record can linger online through court records, mugshot databases, and data brokers.

Removing arrest records from the internet is not just about privacy—it’s about restoring your reputation.

Where Arrest Records Appear Online

Common Sources:

1. County Sheriff’s Office websites
2. State court systems and public record portals
3. Background check sites (e.g., Whitepages, Spokeo)
4. Mugshot websites
5. Google search and image results
6. Archived content on news websites
7. Data aggregator sites

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Arrest Records From the Internet

Step 1: Identify All Online Listings

Search your name in various formats:

"Full Name" + "arrest" OR "booking" OR "mugshot"

Create a spreadsheet and record:

• URLs
• Screenshot evidence
• Hosting site names

Search Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Google Images in incognito mode to avoid cached personalization.

Step 2: Check Your Legal Standing

Are you legally eligible to remove your arrest record?

You may qualify for removal if:

• The charges were dismissed
• The record was expunged or sealed
• You were acquitted or not charged
• The arrest record is outdated or inaccurate

Use your state’s expungement and sealing process. See NCSL’s record-clearing statutes for eligibility.

Legal Tools to Remove Arrest Records

Expungement & Sealing

Expungement removes the arrest from public records; sealing restricts access.

Typical Steps:

1. File a petition in the appropriate court
2. Serve notice to involved law enforcement agencies
3. Attend a court hearing
4. Obtain a certified court order

Once granted, submit the order to:

• County records divisions
• State repositories
• Mugshot and arrest sites hosting the data
• Google for de-indexing

Right to Be Forgotten

In certain jurisdictions or under specific laws (like CCPA or GDPR), individuals may request data deletion from private platforms that store personal information.

Cease and Desist Letters

If a site hosts an outdated or inaccurate arrest record:

• Send a cease and desist letter demanding removal
• Cite defamation, false light, or privacy violation

Legal action may be warranted if ignored.

Pro Tip: Defamation Defenders offers legal support to help enforce takedown requests using court orders and data privacy rights.

How to Remove Arrest Records From Google

Google doesn’t host content, but it indexes it. Here’s how to request removal:

Use the Google Content Removal Tool:

Select:

• “Remove information you see in Google Search”
• Then “In Google’s search results and on a website”

You’ll need:

• URLs of offending pages
• Screenshots
• Legal proof (e.g., expungement order)

If approved, Google will:

• De-index the links
• Remove images from search results (if applicable)

Google prioritizes removal for sensitive personal info, false content, and legal removals.

SEO Suppression Tactics to Push Down Arrest Records

When legal removal fails or is incomplete, SEO suppression offers another powerful option.

Build Positive, Authoritative Content:

• LinkedIn profile (fully filled)
• Google Business Profile
• Medium blog posts
• Press releases
• Personal website with your full name
• YouTube channel with name-tagged videos

Keyword Optimization Tips:

• Use your full name in H1, meta titles, and URLs
• Post consistently to increase domain authority
• Backlink to your new content from high-authority platforms

Platforms to Leverage:

• About.me
• Crunchbase
• Substack
• Pinterest boards with branded pins

SEO suppression can take 60–180 days to show full results, but it’s highly effective in burying arrest records deep in search.

Opt-Out from People Search and Background Sites

These services collect arrest records and personal details.

Major Opt-Out Pages:

• Spokeo Opt-Out
• Whitepages Opt-Out
• BeenVerified Opt-Out
• Instant Checkmate Opt-Out

Submit each manually with:

• Proof of ID
• Email confirmation
• Links to your listing

Use a reputation monitoring tool to stay updated on new data leaks or reposts.

What About News Stories That Reference Your Arrest?

Contact the Publisher:

• Ask for an update or deletion if charges were dropped
• Request a follow-up story clarifying the outcome

Legal Routes:

• If the article is false or defamatory, consider sending a retraction demand or filing a lawsuit
• Use suppression strategies to outrank the news link

Reputation experts like Defamation Defenders can negotiate removals and counteract harmful press coverage.

Summary Table: Online Arrest Record Removal Methods

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let Defamation Defenders Handle It For You

If navigating this complex process sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. That’s why Defamation Defenders offers a complete solution to remove arrest records from the internet.

Services Include:

• Court-assisted takedown enforcement
• Google de-indexing
• Full SEO suppression campaigns
• People search site removal
• Ongoing monitoring & defense

Schedule your free consultation now and get a personalized plan that puts your reputation back in your control.

MLA Citations:

“Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER).” Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, www.pacer.gov.

“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 Information from Google.” Google Support, support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/3111061.

“Opt-Out and Data Removal Services.” Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, privacyrights.org/consumer-guides/opt-out.

“Online Defamation and Your Rights.” American Bar Association, www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/criminal-justice/criminal-record-clearing/.