How to Remove Court Records From Google Search and the Internet

In a world where nearly everything is searchable online, personal privacy is at risk—especially when sensitive court records can appear in search results. Whether it’s civil disputes, past legal matters, or any documentation you’d rather keep private, knowing how to remove these records from the internet is essential for maintaining control over your digital footprint. This guide provides you with the tools and insights needed to protect your reputation and keep personal details out of public view.

The most effective ways to remove court records from Google are:

• Expungement: Petition the court to have eligible records erased or sealed from public view. Requirements vary by state.
• Record sealing: Similar to expungement, sealing hides records from the public but does not destroy them completely.
• Direct removal requests: Contact data brokers and websites directly to remove your information if it qualifies under their policies.
• Suppression: Bury negative search results by creating positive content and optimizing your online presence.

An experienced attorney can help you determine the best path for your unique case.

What Court Records Show Up on Google?

The first step in removing your court records from Google is understanding exactly what information is out there. Perform a search for your name and make note of any court-related websites that appear on the first few pages of results.

Common sites where court records are published

• State court record databases
• County court websites
• Background check sites like Instant Checkmate and BeenVerified
• Data broker sites like Spokeo and Whitepages
• Legal news websites and blogs

Differences between arrest records, court records, and criminal records

It’s important to realize that there are differences between arrest records, court records, and criminal records. Arrest records indicate that you were arrested for a suspected crime, but do not necessarily mean you were charged or convicted. Court records provide details on court proceedings and filings related to your case. Criminal records show any convictions that were entered against you.

Depending on your case and its final outcome, you may have just one or a combination of these record types showing up in your search results. Make a list of the records you find and the websites they appear on. This will help you determine your eligibility and next steps.

Are You Eligible to Have Your Court Records Removed?

Many states allow individuals to expunge or seal certain criminal records, which can greatly improve your online reputation. However, eligibility for these options varies widely depending on the state and the specifics of your case.

Expungement vs. sealing

Expungement refers to the complete destruction or erasure of records related to an arrest or criminal conviction. If your record is expunged, it is essentially erased in the eyes of the law.

Sealing removes records from public view, but does not destroy them entirely. Law enforcement and certain government agencies may still be able to access sealed records in limited circumstances.

Factors that impact eligibility for expungement or sealing

In general, you are more likely to be eligible for expungement or sealing if:

• Your arrest did not result in a conviction
• Your conviction was for a misdemeanor rather than a felony
• You have completed the terms of your sentencing
• A significant period of time has passed since the offense
• You do not have other subsequent convictions

However, every state has its own laws governing record clearance. Some states may allow expungement for certain felony convictions, while others prohibit it entirely. Consulting with an attorney is the best way to determine your eligibility.

Costs and timeline for expungement or sealing

The expungement or sealing process typically involves filing a petition with the court and paying any required fees, which can range from $100 to $400. If your petition is granted, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete.

How to File for Expungement or Sealing of Your Court Records

If you determine that you may be eligible for expungement or sealing of your court records, here are the general steps involved:

Obtain your complete criminal record

You’ll need a full copy of your criminal history from every jurisdiction where you have had a case. This will help you determine which cases may qualify for expungement or sealing. Many states have online request forms, or you can contact the court clerk’s office directly.

Review eligibility for each case

Carefully review your state’s expungement laws and consult with an attorney if needed to identify which of your cases may qualify for removal. You may need to file separate petitions for each eligible offense.

File a petition with the appropriate court

Once you have identified your eligible cases, you’ll need to file a formal petition or application with the sentencing court to request expungement or sealing. Many courts have standard forms for this purpose.

Pay filing fees

Most courts charge a filing fee for expungement or sealing petitions, typically in the $100-$400 range. If you cannot afford the fees, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver.

Attend required hearings

Some jurisdictions require you to attend a hearing before a judge will rule on your petition. The judge may ask you questions about your case and your reason for requesting expungement. Be prepared to discuss how you have moved on from the offense and why clearing your record is important to your future.

Serve notice of the expungement to record holders

If your expungement is granted, you may need to provide the signed court order to certain record holders like police departments, prosecutors’ offices, and the department of corrections. This ensures that all agencies are aware of the expungement and can update their records accordingly.

Confirm removal from public records

Finally, you’ll want to follow up and confirm that your records have actually been removed from any publicly available databases. This may involve contacting courts, law enforcement agencies, and website owners to ensure they have complied with the expungement order.

How to Ask Websites to Remove Your Court Records

If your court records have been expunged or sealed but are still appearing on Google, your next step is to contact the website owners directly and request removal.

Tips for contacting websites to request removal

• Locate the website’s contact information. Look for an email address, contact form, or mailing address dedicated to removal requests. You may need to check the site’s Terms of Service or Privacy Policy.
• Clearly state your request to have your court records removed and provide the specific URLs or pages where your information appears. Explain that the records have been officially expunged or sealed by the court.
• Attach a copy of your expungement or sealing order. Most reputable websites will honor a valid court order as grounds for removal.
• If you do not receive a response, follow up after a week or two. You may need to escalate your request to a supervisor or legal department.
• Be persistent and professional in your communication. Removing outdated or sealed court records is in the website’s best interest to maintain accuracy.

If the website refuses to remove your court records after multiple attempts, you may need to enlist the help of an attorney to send a formal demand letter.

How to Bury Negative Search Results for Your Court Records

In some cases, you may not be eligible for expungement or the website may refuse to honor your removal request. In these situations, suppressing or burying the negative search results is often the next best option.

Suppression involves creating and optimizing new, positive content to outrank the negative court record pages and push them off the first page of Google search results. While this doesn’t completely remove the records, it can greatly reduce their visibility and make them much harder to find.

Best practices for suppressing negative court record results

1. Secure your domain name. Purchase a domain containing your first and last name (e.g. johnsmith.com) and create a basic website with positive, professional content about you.
2. Claim and optimize your social media profiles. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook tend to rank highly in search results. Fill out your profiles completely and post regular updates.
3. Create positive content. Start a blog, write articles for other sites, or create profiles on online directories that allow you to control the content. Focus on highlighting your skills, achievements, and community involvement.
4. Implement on-page SEO. Use your name strategically in page titles, headings, and content. Optimize your meta descriptions to engage searchers.
5. Build high-quality links. Generating authoritative links from other reputable websites is crucial for improving your content’s search rankings. Look for legitimate opportunities to be featured or mentioned on industry blogs, news sites, and partner websites.

Suppressing negative content takes time and concerted effort. But over several months, you should start to see your positive, controlled content rising in the search results and displacing the court record pages.

Do You Need Professional Help with Your Court Record Removal?

Navigating the complex process of court record expungement and removal from Google can be overwhelming, especially when your reputation is on the line. Working with an experienced removal attorney can alleviate stress and improve your chances of success.

How a removal attorney can help

• Analyzing your case to determine the best path forward
• Ensuring your expungement paperwork is completed properly
• Representing you in court hearings
• Communicating with record holders on your behalf
• Escalating disputes with websites that refuse to remove records
• Advising you on suppression and reputation management strategies

What to look for in a reputation management or removal attorney

• Specific experience with court record expungement and online content removal
• Positive client reviews and testimonials
• Clear communication and transparent pricing
• Attention to detail and commitment to their clients’ success

Questions to ask before hiring a removal attorney

• How many court record expungements have you handled?
• What is your success rate with getting records removed from Google?
• Will you personally handle my case, or will it be passed off to a paralegal?
• What are your fees and costs?
• How do you communicate with clients about the status of their case?
• Are you licensed to practice in my state?

Choosing the right removal attorney can make a world of difference in the outcome of your case and the restoration of your online reputation.

Take Back Control of Your Online Reputation

At Minc Law, we have proven success removing public court records from the internet, and have helped thousands of clients take back their online reputation and privacy. Reach out today to schedule your free, initial no-obligation consultation by calling us at (216) 373-7706, speaking with a chat representative, or filling out our contact form.