New York Mugshot Removal & Expungement Guide
How mugshot removal, expungement, and record sealing actually work under New York law.
New York does not currently have a statute requiring commercial mugshot websites to remove a photo on request. Removal here relies on direct negotiation with the publisher and search-engine de-indexing.
New York uses "sealing" rather than expungement. CPL 160.59 offers a petition-based path for certain convictions, while the Clean Slate Act (CPL 160.57), signed in 2023, creates automatic sealing for many eligible records as it phases in.
- Petition-based sealing (CPL 160.59): 10 conviction-free years; max 2 convictions (max 1 felony)
- Clean Slate automatic sealing — misdemeanors: 3 years after release or sentencing
- Clean Slate automatic sealing — eligible felonies: 8 years after release or sentencing
- Sex offenses, violent felonies, Class A felonies: Excluded from both sealing paths
Locate every copy of your mugshot online
New York arrest records are commonly scraped and republished across multiple commercial aggregators.
Send a direct removal request to each publisher
Without a state mandate to lean on, a documented direct request is your starting point, not a guarantee.
Pursue search-engine de-indexing where a site won't cooperate
This is typically the more effective lever in New York given the absence of a state removal law.
Check whether your record qualifies for Clean Slate sealing
This restricts access to your official record going forward, though it won't retroactively force a site to remove an already-published photo.
We handle removal cases in New York the same way we handle every case: locating every copy of your mugshot online, filing takedown requests within 72 hours, pursuing search-engine de-indexing where publishers won't cooperate, and monitoring afterward for reappearances. Every case starts with a free analysis, backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
State law affects your legal options, but it doesn't determine which website is publishing your mugshot. See our site-by-site removal directory for site-specific removal steps once you know where your listing is.
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws summarized here are current as of publication but change frequently — consult a licensed attorney in your state before relying on them for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New York have a mugshot removal law?
No. New York doesn't currently have a statute requiring commercial mugshot sites to remove a photo on request.
What is New York's Clean Slate Act?
A 2023 law (CPL 160.57) that automatically seals many eligible misdemeanor and felony records after 3 to 8 years, excluding sex offenses and Class A felonies.
Will sealing my record remove my mugshot from a website?
Not automatically. Sealing restricts access to your official record; a mugshot site that already published your photo has no separate legal obligation to remove it.
How long does mugshot removal take in New York?
Without a state law setting a deadline, timelines depend on the specific publisher. We typically file takedown requests within 72 hours and pursue de-indexing within about 5-7 days.
Get Your New York Mugshot Removed
Start with a free analysis — we'll confirm exactly what removal takes under your state's laws.