Are Mugshots Ever Deleted? (And Other Common Questions About Mugshot Removal)

September 30, 2024

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This article answers the question, “Are mugshots ever deleted?” plus other FAQs about having your mugshot removed from search engine results and mugshot sites.

Everyone has something from their past that they wish they could press the “delete” button on.

If you’ve been in trouble with the law, it’s possible that you’ve had your booking photo taken and that you’ve found your mugshot online.

Data broker sites scrape the internet for all kinds of information about people. That includes contact info, financial records, online mugshots and more.

If your mugshot images exist, it’s possible that it’s on several mugshot sites and accessible with a simple search.

While mugshot photos can be more difficult to remove than a negative news article or a fraudulent company review, it’s not an impossible task.

In this article, we’re going to answer your biggest questions about getting your mugshots removed from Google search and other search engines.

If you’d like to speak with a mugshot removal expert immediately, call us today at 866-601-6803 for a free consultation.

Are Mugshots Ever Deleted?

The short answer to this question is “no.” Once you’ve found your mugshots online, it’s unlikely that they’ll disappear without you requesting removal.

Unless you take the necessary steps to remove them, mugshots are not usually deleted from Google search results or online mugshots websites. That means they can stay online indefinitely. They’ll continue to impact your life, personal relationships and business opportunities potentially forever.

Even in the case of an expunged or sealed record, you may still be able to find your mugshot online.

The best option to protect your online reputation and remove your mugshot from search engines is to work with a removal expert.

Our mugshot removal procedure ensures that we’ll find and remove your info from search results pages. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Is All of My Criminal History Available Online?

A pile of papers labeled "Criminal Record" lies on a dark surface next to a pair of handcuffs, a dark blue book, and a pair of eyeglasses.

Do you have an arrest record or other criminal records that are part of the public record? If so, it’s highly likely that they’re posted online for the public to find.

Wherever your mugshot appears in search engine results, it’s also possible that users can find additional information about your past. That includes criminal charges and details of a criminal case.

Removing your mugshot photo from one site won’t necessarily remove your criminal history info from that site, too. It also won’t ensure that any of your personal information doesn’t show up on several other mugshot websites.

How Do I Remove My Criminal Record From Google?

A person in a suit holding a smartphone with a holographic display above it. The display shows the words "CRIMINAL RECORD" encircling a digital globe, symbolizing the concept of accessing criminal records through technology.

There are a few ways to remove your criminal record from Google:

Have the record expunged or sealed.
Suppress the links to the websites that post arrest records.
Contact the website owner and request they remove your information.

Sometimes, having your record expunged or sealed isn’t enough to remove your info from a simple online search. In that case, you’ll need to take your online reputation into your own hands to contact each site and request removal.

Why Is My Mugshot Available Online?

A young man wearing a gray hoodie and gray t-shirt stands in front of a height measurement chart holding a police identification sign. The chart shows measurements in feet and inches. The date on the sign reads 17/06/15 and it mentions Central Police Department.

The most common reason that your mugshot image appears online is because law enforcement agencies publish mugshots for the sake of the public.

From there, news outlets may pick up and share your online mugshot. Whether or not the media spreads around your mugshot photos, though, automated web crawlers that scrape the internet for personal data are likely to find it.

Once one mugshot site has your image and posts it publicly, other mugshot websites follow.

Why Do Police Post Mugshots on Facebook and Other Social Media Sites?

A person with short, dark hair stands in front of a height chart, wearing an orange jumpsuit. The height chart is marked with measurements ranging from 140 to 180 centimeters. The person is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

In addition to posting mugshots on law enforcement websites, police post mugshots on Facebook when it’s in the public’s interest.

For example, let’s say the suspect is a threat to the public. In that case, a law enforcement agency will publicize their photo on social media to help locate the individual. It will also warn the public to avoid that person if they come in contact with them.

The more your mugshot and arrest information is online, the easier it is for web scrapers to find that data. This is how many sites post mugshots they find online.

Get Your Mugshot Removed by Experts

Are you considering taking legal action? That can be a time-consuming and costly option.

First, you may want to contact our team of content removal experts. We’ll work to get your mugshot taken down from mugshot websites and other web pages.

Our online reputation management team knows exactly how to submit an image removal request to each mugshot website your info appears on.

In the event that we’re not able to have your booking photo removed from certain data brokers and mugshot sites, we’ll suppress those Google search results. This will make your booking photos much more difficult to find.

Protect your personal and professional life by speaking with one of our mugshot removal experts today. Call 866-601-6803 for a free consultation.