1. Will TexArrest remove my mugshot if my case was dismissed or is still pending?
No. TexArrest does not remove records solely due to dismissal, charge reduction, or pending status. Arrest records remain published unless a U.S. court legally mandates removal.
2. Does TexArrest charge money to remove arrest records or booking photos?
No. TexArrest does not charge fees for removal and does not sell or suppress records for payment. This keeps our practices compliant with both Texas and U.S. law.
3. What legal situations qualify for removal?
TexArrest will remove a record only when valid documentation is provided and verified showing one of the following:
- Court-ordered expunction
- Court-ordered nondisclosure or sealing
- A direct court order requiring deletion
- Proof the record was published unlawfully or misattributed
4. What if the arrest record is accurate, but it’s hurting my job or housing opportunities?
We understand the concern, but employment, reputation, or housing impact are not legal grounds for removal of accurate public booking archives.
5. Does GDPR, CCPA, or other non-U.S. privacy law force removal from your site?
No. Those laws govern consumer data sales and processing, but they do not override U.S. public booking record law, which is exempt unless sealed or expunged by a U.S. court.
6. What can I do if my case is dismissed but not expunged?
You may request a User-Submitted Annotation, which can display:
- “Case dismissed” or “Case pending” clarification
- Supporting court or agency documents
- Identity clarification or duplicate record notice
This is not removal or suppression, only added context.
7. Will annotations remove the record from search engines?
No. Annotations do not change indexing, search visibility, or original record status. They simply appear on the record page as an additional note for transparency.
8. Does paying an annotation fee influence removal eligibility?
No. Fees (when applicable) are for optional annotation processing only and do not affect or influence legal removal decisions.
9. Can TexArrest remove cached or archived copies outside your control?
No. We can remove records only from our direct systems and hosted images, not third-party caches, search engine archives, or external snapshots.
10. How long does review take once I identify my record?
- Initial review: 3–5 business days
- Legal removals (if qualified): completed promptly after verification
- Timeline may vary depending on documentation and request volume
11. What happens if I don’t identify the specific record?
We cannot process the request. The correct listing must be provided to avoid reviewing or editing the wrong person’s record.
12. Isn’t it illegal to publish mugshots if a website makes money from ads?
No. Texas law does not prohibit publishing arrest records or booking photos simply because a website earns advertising revenue. Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 109 only restricts charging a fee to remove or suppress a criminal record. TexArrest does not engage in that practice.
13. Doesn’t Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 109 require you to remove my mugshot?
No. Chapter 109 does not require removal of accurate public records. It prohibits companies from demanding payment to remove criminal history information. TexArrest does not charge for removal and removes records only when legally ordered by a court.
14. I heard “mugshot websites” are illegal in Texas. Does that apply here?
No. Texas law does not ban mugshot websites. It regulates coercive practices such as charging people to remove their records. TexArrest complies with Texas law and does not participate in pay-for-removal schemes.
15. Does monetizing traffic with ads make TexArrest a “for-profit mugshot site” under the law?
No. Displaying advertisements does not make public record publishing illegal. The law focuses on coercive monetization tied to removal, not general website revenue.
16. Is it illegal under federal law to profit from arrest records?
No. There is no U.S. federal law that prohibits publishing or monetizing lawfully obtained public arrest records. Arrest records remain public unless sealed or expunged.
17. Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) apply to TexArrest?
No. TexArrest is not a consumer reporting agency and does not provide employment, tenant, or credit background checks. The FCRA does not govern public-record archival publishing.
18. Can defamation law force you to remove my mugshot?
No, if the information is accurate. Truthful reporting of a public arrest record is not defamation. Removal occurs only if the record is factually incorrect, misattributed, or unlawfully published.
19. Another website removed my mugshot. Doesn’t that mean you must too?
No. Each publisher operates independently. Another website’s removal decision does not create a legal obligation for TexArrest to remove an accurate public record.
20. Does the “right to be forgotten” apply in the United States?
No. The “right to be forgotten” exists in some foreign jurisdictions but does not override U.S. public record law. Arrest records remain public unless sealed or expunged by a U.S. court.
21. Can you remove my record as a courtesy or goodwill gesture?
No. TexArrest does not selectively remove accurate public records without a legal basis. Doing so would undermine the neutrality and integrity of the archive.
22. Does contacting your advertisers or hosting provider force removal?
No. Removal decisions are based solely on law and verified documentation, not third-party pressure from advertisers, hosts, or platforms.
23. If I threaten legal action, will the record be taken down?
No. Legal threats do not change the legal status of a public record. Removal occurs only when a verified court order or qualifying legal document is provided.
24. What laws actually control removal decisions?
- Court-ordered expunction
- Court-ordered nondisclosure or sealing
- Direct judicial removal orders
Dismissals, prosecutor letters, or online legal citations alone do not mandate removal.
25. Why is TexArrest so strict about removal?
Because the law requires consistency and neutrality. Selective removal of accurate public records without legal authority would undermine transparency and expose the platform to legal risk.