South Carolina Mugshot Removal & Expungement Guide
How mugshot removal, expungement, and record sealing actually work under South Carolina law.
South Carolina has a real mugshot-removal statute, S.C. Code § 17-1-60. It bans charging any fee to remove an arrest or booking record, and requires a publisher to remove it within 30 days of a written request that includes your name, arrest date, arresting agency, certified documentation of your case's resolution (dismissal, discharge, expungement, or acquittal), and the record's URL. Violating it is a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine and 60 days in jail, plus a civil cause of action for damages. Traditional news media are exempt.
South Carolina's expungement process (S.C. Code § 22-5-910 et seq.) covers a defined set of first offenses, with waiting periods that vary by offense type.
- Minor offenses (30 days/$1,000 fine or less): 3 years
- First-offense unlawful firearm possession: 3 years
- First-offense 3rd-degree domestic violence: 5 years
Identify every site publishing your mugshot
A single arrest is often republished across several commercial mugshot sites at once.
Send a written removal request with documentation
Include your name, arrest date, arresting agency, certified case-resolution documentation, and the listing's URL, per S.C. Code § 17-1-60.
Confirm removal within 30 days
Non-compliant sites can face criminal penalties and a civil damages claim.
Pursue expungement for the underlying record where eligible
This provides the documentation South Carolina's removal law requires, in addition to restricting access to your official record.
We handle removal cases in South Carolina 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 South Carolina law require mugshot sites to remove my photo?
Yes. Under S.C. Code § 17-1-60, a site must remove your photo within 30 days of a written request with proper documentation, at no cost.
What documentation do I need to request removal in South Carolina?
Your name, arrest date, arresting agency, certified proof of your case's resolution (dismissal, discharge, expungement, or acquittal), and the listing's URL.
What's the penalty for a non-compliant site in South Carolina?
It's a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine and 60 days in jail, plus a separate civil cause of action for damages.
How long does mugshot removal take in South Carolina?
By law, up to 30 days once a proper documented request is sent. We also pursue search-engine de-indexing in parallel so the result stops showing in search sooner.
Get Your South Carolina Mugshot Removed
Start with a free analysis — we'll confirm exactly what removal takes under your state's laws.