How long does online court record removal take?

Online court record removal typically takes 2 to 12 weeks depending on the number of sites publishing your record, each platform's response time, and whether legal processes (expungement, sealing) are involved. Commercial data broker sites tend to respond faster (1-4 weeks) than legal databases (4-8 weeks). Google de-indexing adds another 2-4 weeks. Our team coordinates all removals simultaneously to minimize total time.

Do I need an expungement to remove records from the internet?

No - expungement and online record removal are two separate processes. Many records can be removed from online databases, background check sites, and Google search results without any court order. Expungement seals records from government databases; online removal targets commercial and third-party websites. Both should be pursued together for the most complete result.

Can dropped charges be removed from background checks? +

In many cases, yes. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, FCRA-regulated background check providers used for employment should not report charges that were dropped or dismissed in a way that misrepresents the outcome. For non-conviction records generally, the FCRA also imposes a 7-year reporting limit in many circumstances. Data broker sites operate under different rules, but most offer opt-out processes. A documented record of dropped charges also provides strong grounds for formal disputes.

How long can dropped charges show up on a background check? +

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, for employment background checks at jobs paying under $75,000 per year, non-conviction records (including dropped charges) generally cannot be reported after 7 years. However, this limit applies to FCRA-regulated background check companies used for employment - not to public records databases, data broker sites, or general internet searches. Those sources can theoretically retain the information indefinitely without separate removal action.

What documentation do I need to request removal of dropped charges? +

You need certified copies of the court order showing the charges were dropped or dismissed - typically the nolle prosequi order, the dismissal order, or the charging document with a dismissal notation. This must be a certified copy with the court's official stamp or seal. Some platforms also benefit from seeing the original charging document alongside the dismissal, which makes the sequence of events clear.

Why do dropped charges suggest guilt even when they shouldn't? +

Charges are dropped for many reasons that have nothing to do with guilt or innocence: the prosecution lacked sufficient evidence, a key witness became unavailable, the alleged victim declined to cooperate, or the prosecutor exercised discretion. But online databases typically display the charges without explaining why they were dropped. A reader who sees charges listed without context often assumes the worst. This ambiguity is one of the most unfair aspects of how dropped charge records are presented online.

Does Google have a specific policy for dropped charges? +

Google's Personal Information Removal Tool covers requests related to arrest and criminal records, and non-conviction records including dropped charges fall within the scope of requests Google considers. Having official documentation showing the charges were dropped strengthens the request. Google's decision to de-index is not automatic - it involves a human review - but dropped charges with official documentation have a reasonable likelihood of being approved, particularly when the source page does not accurately reflect the outcome.

Can dropped charges affect my employment chances? +

Yes - even dropped charges can negatively impact employment if they appear in a background check or online search. Many employers see the charges before the outcome context, and may be unaware that "charges dropped" means no conviction occurred. The EEOC's guidance requires employers to conduct individualized assessments before making adverse decisions based on non-conviction records, but informal screening is common. Removing or suppressing the online record is the most effective protection.

Should I pursue expungement even if my charges were dropped? +

Yes - in most states, dropped charges are eligible for expungement, and obtaining an expungement order significantly strengthens your grounds for removal from online platforms. An expungement order is a court directive to restrict the record, which many platforms treat as a higher-authority removal justification than a dismissal order alone. It also restricts the record in most background check databases. If charges were dropped, you may be eligible immediately without a waiting period in many states.

What is the difference between charges being dropped and being dismissed? +

Technically, charges are "dropped" when the prosecutor voluntarily withdraws them (nolle prosequi) before or during trial, and "dismissed" when a judge orders the case terminated - often after the prosecutor moves to dismiss or after a legal hearing. Both mean no conviction occurred and both provide strong grounds for removal requests. Online databases typically show the same outcome: "dismissed" or "nolle prosequi." Either way, you have grounds to dispute reports that display these as convictions.

Post-Dismissal Guide · 2026

Charges Dropped But Still Showing Online? Here's What to Do.

Having charges dropped is supposed to mean it's over. The prosecution decided not to proceed. No conviction. No guilty plea. No sentence. In a just world, that would be the end of the story. But the internet wrote down the beginning of the story - the arrest, the charges, the case number - and it doesn't automatically write down the ending. Years later, those charges can still surface on Google, on background checks, on legal databases, following you into job interviews and relationships and professional opportunities you've worked hard to build. This guide is about how to fight back.

By Anthony Will Est. 2013 Published May 1, 2026 Published May 27, 2026 Read time: 12 min

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Charges Dropped But Still Showing Online? Here's What to Do.

Were your charges dropped?Your record may still show online.Find out — free.

Were your charges dropped?
Your record may still show online.
Find out — free.