How to Remove Court Records from Google

Why Court Records Appear in Google Search Results

Typically, court records are public information. Anyone can access them unless legally restricted. Government websites, legal databases, and people search sites host this data and make it searchable online. Once indexed by Google, these records become visible to anyone using the right keywords.

Public Accessibility of Court Records

Court cases are made public to ensure transparency in the legal system. However, this public access also means that personal details—such as your name, case details, and court outcomes—may end up online.

Data Brokers and Legal Platforms

Third party data broker platforms often compile legal records, but they can also contain all kinds of other information. Any information that is available online or part of public record can end up on these platforms. They gather it all into a detailed profile and make it searchable.

Any user can search for other people on these websites. Basic information is often available for free, and most in-depth details are often behind a paywall. Because these websites are so popular, they often rank highly in search results.

Google Indexes Public Records

Google doesn’t actually host court records itself. Instead, it pulls them from external websites and displays them in web search results. If a legal platform or data broker allows search engines to crawl its pages, Google will index that content. This means it will appear on search results engine pages (SERPS) when someone searches your name or case information.

How Court Records Impact Your Reputation

When case records appear in Google search results (or online in general), they can have a huge impact on your life and reputation. This is true even if the case was minor, dismissed, or resolved long ago. The mere presence of these details online can lead to negative assumptions about your character.

Job Search

Employers often research candidates online as part of the hiring process. If they come across court cases, they may question your reliability, trust and overall suitability for the role.

Even if the court case has no bearing on your professional qualifications, its presence can lead to bias. This makes it harder to land interviews and ultimately secure your next job.

Housing

Landlords and property management companies frequently conduct background checks on potential tenants. If court cases appear during their online searches, it could raise concerns. This can make it difficult for you to secure housing, even as a responsible and qualified applicant.

Social Life

Online case details can also impact your personal relationships, particularly in the dating world. These days, about 50% of global online daters search their match online before meeting them in person.

Discovering court cases could lead to predetermined misconceptions about your history or character. This can create barriers to forming new connections or establishing trust in personal relationships.

Personal Brand

Your online presence shapes how others perceive you, whether in a professional or personal context. Case details visible on Google can tarnish your personal brand, overshadowing your achievements and positive qualities.

For business owners or professionals, this can be particularly damaging. Clients and colleagues may form unfavorable opinions based on these records. For celebrities and public figures, publicly available court cases can turn the public against you.

Can You Remove Court Records From Google?

Like we mentioned earlier, Google itself doesn’t store or host court records. It simply indexes content from other websites and displays it in search results.

So, to remove them from Google, you have two options:

• Remove case records at the source. The most effective way to ensure cases and records don’t appear in search results is to remove them from the host website. If the host site takes it down, Google can’t crawl and display the information in the first place. However, removal isn’t always possible.
• Suppress records in search results. When you can’t directly remove content, search engine suppression is the next best step. By using SEO techniques, you can push negative results off the first page of Google (or further). They would still technically exist on Google, but this would ensure most people never see them.

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

Identify the source

The first step to removing court records from the internet is identifying the source. Since Google indexes information from external websites, pinpointing the source is essential.

Here’s how:

1. Search for your name or the case details on Google.
2. Review the search results to determine which websites are displaying the court cases.
3. Take note of the URLs for future reference.

Common Websites That Display Court Cases

Request removal from the source

After identifying the source of your court records, the next step is to request their removal directly.

Contact the court or website

Most websites that host court details have established procedures for handling removal requests. Look for a “Privacy”, “Opt-Out”, or “Remove My Information” page.

Record sealing or expungement

Many legal databases will only remove sealed or expunged court records from their platform.

• Sealed records are not accessible by the public but may still exist for legal or administrative purposes.
• Expunging means the record is erased permanently, as if it never existed.

If your records are unsealed, you’ll need a valid court order to seal them before removing them from these sites. Work with a qualified attorney who can help guide you through the legal process.

Submit a Google removal request

If court records are still visible on Google after addressing the source, you can request their removal from search results. Follow these steps:

• Visit the Refresh Outdated Content Tool.
• Submit the URL of the record. If the source has deleted the content, Google will update its index.
• Follow up if the link isn’t removed within a few days.

Suppress the records

Getting your court records removed from Google search results isn’t always possible. However, you can still suppress or bury negative search results.

This strategy involves several tactics:

• Creating positive content about yourself that will rank highly in search engines like Google. This pushes down negative search results and makes them less visible.
• Utilizing SEO (search engine optimization) tactics such as keyword research and backlinking to improve content visibility.
• Creating a personal website, social media profiles, and online portfolios that highlight your skills and accomplishments.

While search suppression may not completely remove negative court or criminal records from Google, it can significantly reduce their visibility. This will lessen the impact they have on your reputation. Working with an experienced reputation management firm can help get you the result you need, quickly.

Challenges and Limitations

Removing court cases from the internet can be a complex and time-consuming process, with several challenges to consider. From legal restrictions to webmaster policies, here are the key limitations you may encounter:

Legal Restrictions

Not all records are eligible for sealing or expungement. Legal statutes at both the federal and state levels often protect the accessibility of these details. This limits what can be removed.

• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 1967: Ensures public access to government records to promote transparency and accountability. The law excludes certain sensitive information, but many types of records remain public. State-level laws often mirror FOIA, ensuring similar protections for public access.
• Courts’ Reluctance to Seal Records: In the interest of transparency and accountability, judges hesitate to seal cases. You must provide a compelling reason, such as demonstrating significant harm or the protection of privacy rights. Even with a strong case, the process of filing a motion to seal is lengthy, and there’s no guarantee of success. Judges rarely seal records due to reputation damage, unless the person was found not guilty or the case was dismissed.

Platform Limitations

Websites hosting court records have their own policies and procedures for removal requests. Opting out of these websites may not be straightforward, especially if you must file a motion to seal.

Additionally, so many legal databases and people search sites exist. If one of them has your personal information, they all can gain access to it. Even if you remove your information once, more can appear on the site afterwards, so constant monitoring is critical.

Conclusion

Removing public court records from Google can be a daunting task, but it is not impossible. By following these steps, you can take control of your online reputation and ensure that your records stay offline.

Remember, there are options available to you, even if you cannot remove your court case from Google. Negative search suppression is a great alternative that can help push down negative search results and boost positive ones.

We’re experts in online reputation management at Reputation911 and can assist you in safeguarding your privacy and reputation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information on how we can help you suppress court records on Google.