Mugshot removal after charges were dropped or dismissed

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Guide · Updated October 31, 2026

An arrest is not a conviction, yet a booking photo can stay online long after charges are dropped. Mugshot removal is often more achievable in this situation, because some state laws and many site policies treat dismissed cases differently.

This guide covers the documents to gather and how to use them.

Documents to gather

• A certified copy of the dismissal, acquittal or no-bill, from the court clerk.
• Any sealing or expungement order, if you have one or qualify for one.
• The case number and arrest date, matched to what the sites show.
• Screenshots of each page with the date.

Send requests with copies, never originals, and keep a record of each request and response.

State laws and the site's own process

A number of states have passed laws that limit websites charging fees to remove booking photos, and some require free removal in certain situations, such as when charges were dismissed or a record was sealed. The details differ by state and change over time.

• Read the site's own removal or correction page and note exactly what it asks for.
• Gather court documents that show the outcome of the case, such as a dismissal, acquittal or sealing order.
• Keep a record of every request and response, including any request for payment.
• Ask a licensed attorney in your state whether a state law applies to your situation before relying on it.

Be careful with services that charge to remove listings from sites they may be connected to. Ask any provider directly how they get results and whether they have any relationship with the sites involved.

After a record is expunged or sealed

An expungement or sealing order changes the official court record, but it does not automatically reach every website that copied the record earlier. Follow-up is usually needed:

1. Get certified or official copies of the order, and keep digital copies.
2. Make a list of where the old record still appears: background check companies, people-search sites, mugshot sites and news results.
3. Contact each site through its correction or removal process and provide the order where the site asks for documentation.
4. For consumer reporting agencies, use the dispute process under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Agencies generally must investigate disputes, typically within 30 days.
5. Once a page has changed or been removed, use Google's outdated content request to update stale search results.

What an order allows you to say on applications, and which agencies can still see the record, depends on your state's law. A licensed attorney can explain your specific order.

Asking a publisher to update or remove an article

News articles are controlled by their publishers, and most publishers are reluctant to remove accurate reporting. Many will consider an update, correction or follow-up when the facts have changed.

• Find the publication's corrections or standards contact, usually on a contact or ethics page, rather than writing to the reporter's social media.
• Be specific: which statement is inaccurate or outdated, and what document shows the current facts (for example a dismissal order).
• Ask for something proportionate. An update or an added note is often more realistic than full removal.
• Keep the tone factual. Threats tend to end the conversation.

Some newsrooms have published policies on unpublishing or anonymizing older stories about minor matters. If the article changes, the outdated content request in Google can help search results catch up.

When the page has already changed: Google's outdated content tool

Sometimes the source has already been fixed: a site removed a page, deleted a photo or changed an article, but Google still shows the old title or snippet. Google provides a public "Refresh Outdated Content" request for this situation.

It only works when the live page no longer contains what you are asking about, or no longer exists. It is not a way to remove content that is still on the page. If the source has not changed, the request will normally be declined.

Submit the exact URL, and keep a screenshot of the changed or removed page with the date in your log.

Legal note: this guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and platform policies change and vary by state. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Getting help

Many of these steps you can take yourself. If you would like someone to look at your situation with you and suggest a plan, you can book a free consultation. The consultation is free. We do not guarantee that any review, article, listing or search result will be removed.