Arrest.org publishes arrest records, mugshots, and booking information that can follow you for years, showing up in background checks and Google search results even if charges were dropped or the case was resolved in your favor. The good news is that Arrest.org offers a free removal process. Here is exactly how to get your record taken down.
What Information Does Arrest.org Display?
Arrest.org aggregates booking data from county jails and law enforcement agencies across the United States. A typical listing includes:
- Full name: As recorded at the time of booking
- Mugshot photo: The booking photograph taken by the arresting agency
- Date of birth: Often displayed alongside the record
- Arrest date and charges: The specific charges listed at the time of arrest
- County and state: The jurisdiction where the arrest occurred
- Home address: The address on file at the time of booking
- Physical description: Height, weight, and other identifying details
These records are sourced from public booking logs and can appear even for minor offenses, dismissed charges, or cases that were never prosecuted. Because the records are indexed by search engines, they can appear prominently in Google results when someone searches your name.
Method 1: Remove via the Arrest.org URL (Recommended)
Arrest.org provides a removal page that you can access by constructing a specific URL using the numeric ID from your listing. Here is how:
- Search for your record: Go to arrests.org and search for your name. Browse the results to find your specific listing.
- Open your listing: Click on the record that matches your information to view the full details page.
- Copy the numeric ID: Look at the URL in your browser's address bar. It will contain a numeric ID. For example, if the URL is arrests.org/search/John-Smith/12345, the ID is 12345.
- Navigate to the removal page: Type the following URL into your browser, replacing YOUR_ID with the number you copied: arrests.org/remove/?id=YOUR_ID
- Select a removal reason: You will be presented with several options:
- Sealed/Expunged: Choose this if your record has been legally sealed or expunged by a court
- Charges dropped: Select this if the charges were dismissed or not pursued
- Remove DOB and address: This is often the quickest option to process if you simply want personal details hidden
- Other: For situations that do not fit the categories above
- Upload supporting documentation: Arrest.org may require you to upload court documents, expungement orders, or other proof to support your removal request. Gather these documents before starting the process.
- Submit and wait: After submitting, the removal typically takes 5 to 30 days, with most requests processed in about 15 business days.
Quickest Removal Option
If you want the fastest possible removal and do not have court documentation readily available, selecting "Remove DOB and address" is often processed more quickly than full record removal. This hides your date of birth and home address from the listing, reducing the personal information exposed even if the arrest record itself remains temporarily visible.
Method 2: Request Removal via Email
If the URL method does not work or you prefer written communication, you can email Arrest.org directly:
- Send an email to: info@arrests.org
- Include the following information:
- Your full name as it appears on the listing
- Your home address
- Your phone number
- Your date of birth
- A redacted copy of your government-issued ID (block out your ID number but leave your name and photo visible)
- Screenshots of the listing you want removed
- A clear statement requesting removal of your record
- Attach supporting documents: If your charges were dropped, sealed, or expunged, include court documentation.
Warning: Other Sites May Still Display Your Record
Even after Arrest.org removes your listing, your arrest record may still appear on dozens of other mugshot and public records sites. Many aggregator sites scrape data from Arrest.org and other sources, creating duplicate listings across the web. Removing your record from Arrest.org alone will not eliminate it from all search results. You will need to contact each site individually.
After Your Record Is Removed
- Verify the removal: After the processing period, search for your name on Arrest.org to confirm the listing is gone.
- Request removal from Google: Even after Arrest.org removes the page, cached versions may linger in Google search results. Use Google's removal tool to request that the cached page be de-indexed.
- Check other mugshot sites: Search your name on Google to identify other sites displaying your arrest record. Common ones include BustedMugshots, Mugshots.com, and JailBase.
- Consider legal expungement: If your record has not been formally expunged or sealed, consult with an attorney about your options. A court order for expungement gives you the strongest legal basis for removal from all sites.
Key Facts About the Process
- The removal is free. Arrest.org does not charge for record removal. Be wary of third-party services that claim to handle Arrest.org removals for a fee when you can do it yourself.
- Processing takes 5 to 30 days. Most requests are handled within approximately 15 business days.
- Documentation speeds things up. If you have court orders showing dismissal, expungement, or sealing, include them for faster processing.
Dealing with arrest records across the internet is one of the most challenging privacy problems to solve manually. PrivacyOn helps by automating removal requests across 100+ data broker and records sites, monitoring for reappearances, and handling the ongoing process of keeping your personal information off the web.