## Removing Mugshots from Official Catawba County Records Official arrest records and booking photos are public information under North Carolina law. Government agencies will not remove these records simply upon request. To have a mugshot removed from official Catawba County databases, you must go through the legal expungement process. ### The Expungement Process in North Carolina An expungement (also known as an expunction) is a court order that seals or destroys a criminal record. You may be eligible for an expungement in Catawba County if: * The charges against you were dismissed. * You were found not guilty at trial. * You successfully completed a diversion program. * You meet the statutory requirements for expunging certain older convictions. To obtain an expungement, you must file a petition with the Catawba County Clerk of Court. Because the legal requirements and paperwork can be complex, consulting with a licensed attorney who practices in North Carolina is highly recommended. Once a judge signs the expungement order, the Clerk of Court notifies the relevant law enforcement agencies, including the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, to remove the records from public view.
## Removing Mugshots from Third-Party Websites Private mugshot websites operate independently of the county. Even if your record is expunged by a court, these websites may still display your photo until you take action. ### North Carolina Law on Mugshot Removal Fees North Carolina law provides protections against predatory mugshot publishing practices. Under state statutes, it is unlawful for a private entity that publishes booking photographs online to solicit or accept a fee to remove, correct, or modify the photograph. If your charges were dismissed, you were acquitted, or your record was expunged, you can submit proof of the disposition (such as court documentation or the expungement order) to the website's administrators. They are legally required to remove the photo without charging you a fee.
### How to Request Removal 1. **Locate Contact Information:** Search the website for a "Contact Us," "Removal Policy," or "Terms of Service" page to find an email address or submission form. 2. **Provide Documentation:** Send a written request for removal. Attach official court documentation showing that the charges were dismissed, you were acquitted, or the record was expunged. Do not send sensitive personal information like your Social Security number. 3. **Avoid Paying Fees:** Do not pay any website that demands money to take down your mugshot, as this violates North Carolina law. ## Verifying the Removal After the expungement is granted or a third-party website confirms removal, verify that the image is gone. Search for your name on the official Catawba County portals and major search engines. Keep in mind that search engine search results may still show a cached version of the page for several days or weeks after the website has removed the image. You can request that search engines re-index the page to speed up this process.
