Finding your name or personal information on Leagle.com can be distressing, especially knowing it is easily accessible through Google. Leagle specializes in publishing court opinions from federal and state courts, often appearing prominently in search results. Unfortunately, removing records from Leagle is far more challenging than other platforms due to their strict policies.
Here’s a guide to understanding why Leagle is so difficult to remove content from and what you can do to protect your online privacy.
What Is Leagle and Why Is My Information There?
Leagle is a comprehensive repository of case law, including opinions from all federal courts and state appellate and supreme courts dating back to 1950. It publishes court decisions exactly as released by the courts, often within 24 hours of their availability.
Your information might appear on Leagle if it’s part of:
- Court judgments
- Appellate rulings
- Slip opinions or bound volumes
Even cases marked “Do Not Publish” or “Sealed” by the courts can still appear on Leagle. “Do Not Publish” cases are accessible as public records, and even sealed decisions might remain in appellate records under certain circumstances.
Can You Remove Your Name from Leagle?
In most cases, removal from Leagle.com is nearly impossible without a court order. The platform strictly adheres to its policy of publishing public court records as they appear. This creates challenges, including:
- Privacy Risks: Personal details like your name, address, and legal history may become visible to anyone.
- Reputational Damage: Court records may misrepresent your current situation, especially if they involve accusations or incomplete narratives.
- Professional Impacts: Potential employers or clients may encounter outdated or misleading information during online searches.
Removing or redacting these records helps you regain control over your online reputation.
Content from Leagle at https://www.leagle.com/about-us
About Leagle, Inc. And Our Content
Leagle, Inc. is a leading provider of copies of primary caselaw from all Federal courts and all State higher courts. Our collection is up to date within 24 hours of release of opinions from the courts and is also complete historically for all time for Federal courts and back to 1950 for state appellate and supreme courts. We add Slip Opinions daily, and Advance Sheets and Bound Volume copies as they become available. Our materials are fully copyrighted by Leagle, Inc.
Our policy is to post court decision text exactly as it appears in released court documents. Note that cases marked “Do Not Publish” or similarly, by the courts, indicate the decision is not to be used as legal precedent, however the decision is still available for public access.
Decisions designated “sealed”, are not removed from the appellate record. The Court is directing its own personnel, normally the Clerk of the Court, to no longer make that decision available to the public through the court. While it will no longer be available at the Court’s counter and will no longer be available electronically through the Court’s system, “sealing” a document does not remove the opinion from the appellate record
If you believe you’ve found a mistake or serious omission in our content, please Contact Us.
We also publish a limited number of secondary works, covering legal topics that are driven by current events or focus on a particular area of law. These can be found in the Leagle EyeView(TM), Blogs and Products, and Leagle Aid sections of our website.
For more information about our content, content licensing, and content management services, please contact us at [email protected].
Why Leagle Is Uniquely Challenging
Leagle’s no-removal policy makes it one of the hardest platforms to address privacy concerns. Unlike vLex or similar sites, Leagle does not offer a direct process for requesting content removal or redaction. Without a court order sealing the record or directing redaction, the information will likely remain public.
What to Do If You Want Content Removed from Leagle
1. Secure a Court Order
The only surefire way to remove or redact your information is by obtaining a court order. This requires:
- Filing a motion with the court that originally handled your case.
- Demonstrating valid reasons for sealing or redaction, such as privacy concerns or harm caused by the publication.
- Presenting evidence, such as medical records, to support your request.
Once the order is granted, you can send it to Leagle to request compliance. Without this step, Leagle is unlikely to remove any content.
2. Reach Out to Leagle Directly
Leagle provides minimal options for direct contact. If you believe an error exists in their content, you can email [email protected] or use the “Contact Us” form on their website. Requests for voluntary removal or redaction are rarely successful but may be worth attempting if you can provide strong evidence of harm.
How to Handle Denials from Leagle
If you cannot remove your record, you’ll need to focus on mitigating its impact.
1. Suppress Search Results
Pushing the unwanted content off the first page of Google results is often the best strategy. This can be achieved by:
- Building Positive Content: Create personal or professional websites, publish blogs, or optimize LinkedIn and other profiles to rank higher than the Leagle link.
- Engaging with Media: Positive press or well-optimized articles about your achievements can further suppress negative results.
2. Seek Professional Help
Reputation management services like ours specialize in suppressing unwanted content and promoting positive material. While we can’t guarantee that we can Leagle links, we can and have significantly reduced their visibility for many clients.
Thomas v. Leagle
The 2023 Thomas v. Leagle lawsuit exemplifies the challenges of pursuing legal action against Leagle. In this case, the plaintiff alleged harm from Leagle’s publication of a court ruling later reversed. The court upheld Leagle’s right to host judicial opinions under the First Amendment and the fair report privilege, demonstrating how such lawsuits are rarely successful.
Given the legal protections surrounding public records, the time, expense, and potential for unwanted attention make lawsuits against Leagle an ineffective approach. Instead, focusing on suppression strategies and reputation management is a more practical and efficient way to minimize the visibility of court records.
Why Professional Help May Be Necessary
Given Leagle’s stringent policies, professional assistance may save you time and effort. Services like Erase.com specialize in:
- Suppressing court records through advanced SEO strategies.
- Enhancing your online presence with reputation-building content.
- Offering guidance on legal options to address public records.
Erase.com’s content removal service and reputation management services are designed to help you showcase your strengths and position you as a reliable and trustworthy partner.
We’ve helped over 5,000 individuals and businesses manage their online reputation and removed over 1,300 harmful court records for our clients in 2024 alone.
Get started and take control of your online presence today.
Key Takeaways
- Court Order Required: To remove or redact content from Leagle, a court order is usually necessary.
- Direct Requests Are Limited: Leagle rarely honors voluntary requests, but attempts can be made via [email protected].
- Focus on Suppression: When removal isn’t an option, bury negative results with positive online content.
- Get Expert Assistance: Reputation management professionals can help mitigate the impact of Leagle records on your online presence.
Leagle’s commitment to publishing public court records serves a legal purpose but often conflicts with individual privacy concerns. Removing or suppressing content from Leagle is challenging and may require legal intervention or professional reputation management.
If you need help managing your online presence or removing court records on sites like Leagle, reach out to our reputation management specialists today. Taking proactive steps can help you regain control of your online narrative and protect your reputation.
Don’t let Leagle define your search results—start building a better online presence now.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, removing or redacting your name from Leagle court records is not possible without a court order. Leagle strictly adheres to its policy of publishing public records exactly as provided by the courts. However, you can attempt to contact Leagle at [email protected] with details of your request and supporting documentation, such as proof of sealed records or evidence of harm. Requests are rarely granted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Suppressing Leagle records from Google’s top search results takes time and effort. By creating and optimizing positive content, such as personal websites, professional profiles, or blogs, you can push unwanted links lower. Results may take a few weeks to months, depending on the volume and strength of the new content. For faster results, consider working with reputation management specialists.
Leagle does not charge for processing removal requests, but these are rarely granted. Pursuing a court order to compel removal can be monumentally difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, often costing thousands in legal fees. Additionally, such efforts could backfire if they attract media attention, potentially amplifying the issue. Be cautious of third-party services that charge for removal attempts, as success without a court order is highly unlikely. Suppression strategies are often a more practical and cost-effective approach.
If removal isn’t an option, suppression may be your best strategy. Our reputation management specialists can help create personalized solutions to bury unwanted links and protect your online reputation. Contact us for expert guidance and proactive support.
