How to Remove Dismissed or Acquitted Cases from Alaska CourtView

Having a criminal charge dismissed or being acquitted by a jury is a massive relief, but the digital footprint of that charge can still cause headaches. In Alaska, many residents are shocked to find their dismissed cases lingering on CourtView, the state's online public court database. Anyone from a landlord to a curious neighbor can search this site. Knowing your rights regarding online privacy and public records is essential to clearing your name.

Fortunately, the state has procedures in place to protect individuals who were not convicted of a crime. Navigating the difference between online court records and actual criminal records can be confusing. If you are struggling with a persistent record that is ruining your job prospects, you can browse our catalog to find experienced local lawyers who can help you clean up your digital history.

The 60-Day Automatic Removal Rule

In the past, any dismissed case remained visible on CourtView indefinitely, causing unfair stigma for innocent people. To fix this, the Alaska Supreme Court updated Alaska Admin. R. 40. Under this rule and Alaska Stat. § 22.35.030, if your entire criminal case is dismissed or you are acquitted of all charges, the Alaska Court System is required to automatically remove your name and case from the online public index (CourtView) within 60 days of the final judgment.

This rule applies universally, whether your case was handled at the Anchorage District Court, Anchorage or the Fairbanks Superior Court, Fairbanks. You generally do not need to lift a finger; the system is designed to execute this removal automatically once the clerk enters the dismissal code.

CourtView Removal vs. Actual Record Sealing

It is vital to understand that removing a case from CourtView is not the same as an expungement or sealing your record. Alaska has very strict laws, and true expungement is incredibly rare, usually only granted in cases of mistaken identity as recognized in Journey v. State, 895 P.2d 955 (AK Supreme Court 1995). Removing a case from CourtView simply hides it from casual internet searches.

Why the Record Might Still Show Up on APSIN

Even after your case drops off CourtView, it remains in the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN). This is the official criminal justice database maintained by the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Anchorage. Police officers, prosecutors, and government agencies will always be able to see the arrest and the dismissal. If an employer requires an official state background check with fingerprinting, the dismissed charge will likely appear on the rap sheet, though it will clearly state that no conviction occurred.

Private Background Check Companies

Private data brokers and background check companies routinely scrape data from CourtView before cases are dismissed or removed. Because these are private entities, they do not automatically update their databases when the state removes your case. This is why you might pass a state background check but fail a private background check run by an apartment complex.

What to Do if a Dismissed Charge is Still Visible Online After 60 Days

Sometimes, the automated system fails, or a clerk forgets to enter the correct disposition code. If 60 days have passed since your acquittal or dismissal and your case is still searchable on CourtView, take these steps:

Step 1: Submit a Formal Request

You must notify the court that the rule has not been applied to your case. You need to file Form TF-810, Alaska, Alaska Court System, Request to Exclude Case from Courtview under Admin R 40(a) or AS 22.35.030. You can submit this paperwork to the clerk of court where your case was handled, such as the Palmer Courthouse, Palmer, the Anchorage District Court, Anchorage, or the Fairbanks Superior Court, Fairbanks.

Step 2: Await Administrative Review

Once submitted, the clerk or a court administrator will review your file. If they confirm that all charges in the case were indeed dismissed or resulted in an acquittal, they will manually override the system and remove the case from the public portal. This manual correction usually takes a few business days.

Step 3: Dealing with Private Companies

If private background check companies are still reporting the dismissed charge, you must dispute the information directly with them. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681), you have the right to challenge inaccurate or outdated information. Send them a copy of your official court dismissal order and demand they update their records.

Associated Costs and Fees

Clearing up CourtView issues is generally inexpensive, but dealing with private background checks may require legal assistance.

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