The 11 Most Common Questions And Answers About Mugshots In Texas

In theory, mugshots help law enforcement identify past or repeat offenders. Officials may also use them to help victims identify an assailant. 

 

But, when individuals have a photographic record or mugshot taken in Texas showing up online, it can cause damage to their reputation, employment, and personal life. 

 

In this blog, we’ll answer important questions on how to keep your Texas mugshot off of public or private websites. We also show you how to prevent serious and permanent damage to your reputation and remove your mugshot fast.

 

1. Are Mugshots Public Records In Texas?

Following your arrest, the criminal justice system records your personal information, description, and fingerprints. Officials also take your mugshot, which is a part of the booking process. 

 

As required by the Texas Public Information Act, a person’s arrest file (including your mugshot) is a public record. And public records are accessible to all US citizens.

 

But, what happens when the state dismisses the charges – or finds you innocent of the crime? Well, a simple internet search will still reveal your mugshot. Unfortunately, you’ll be subject to hardships simply because your Texas mugshot is still online on their site.

 

Renting an apartment, obtaining a loan, finding employment, or even getting a date can all be impossible with a mugshot online.

 

2. Will My Mugshot Go Away After The Charges In Texas Are Dismissed?

If you have criminal charges dismissed, the police department will still have a photographic record of you. And, sometimes, police departments may have published your mugshot on one of their law enforcement websites. Legally, they should remove your photo when you’re no longer under investigation in Texas, or have been cleared of charges.

 

The problem is this: third-party websites or search engines like Google may still feature your mugshot on the web. They are under no legal obligation to follow your case or remove your mugshot from their website. And, indeed, it is a daunting task to contact every webmaster of all these sites to remove your Texas mugshot.

 

3. Can I Remove a Mugshot From Google, Bing, Or Yahoo?

Yes. You can remove your mugshot from search engines. But first, you need to find all search engine records of your picture and arrest record. Then, you can visit each website’s Contact Us page and provide the information that proves the mugshot is yours. The documentation may include a lawful expungement or prove the Court dropped the charges.

 

Often, the easiest way to remove all instances of your mugshots in Texas is to hire a professional mugshot removal service. These companies specialize in mugshot and arrest records removal. It doesn’t matter if the charges were dropped, expunged, or dismissed. These experts can help remove Google results and go after websites refusing to take down your mugshot.

 

4. How Do I Find And Remove Old Mugshots For Free?

You can find and remove old mugshots for free. But remember that some mugshots made in Texas are easier to find than others.

 

Here is a list of the places and people to contact to start the removal process:

  • The police department or county sheriff’s office that arrested you.
  • Any local news sources that reported on the individual’s crime and posted their mugshot.
  • If it was a white-collar crime, you might also find a mugshot posted on the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.
  • Make an FOIA request through the Freedom of Information Act to contest records held by law enforcement agencies.

 

Depending on the agency and employees involved, it may be difficult to remove a mugshot from the public record. 

 

Remember, you need detailed information on the person. This information may include the person’s full name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, and more.

 

You may also need detailed information on the nature of the particular crime, including date and location.

 

5. Do Mugshot Guidelines Vary By City Or County In Texas?

Yes. Everything depends on the city or county in question, as well as the unique process for accessing mugshots. All Texas criminal records are available through the Texas Department of Public Safety website. But, these records may not include a mugshot of the individual. Some smaller counties in Texas keep booking photos accessible to the public only by written request.

 

Some counties publish Texas mugshots online only after the person is convicted. Most cities and counties in Texas post the names and booking photos of all suspects, even before a decision has been made.

 

6. Can Online Texas Mugshots Keep Me From Getting a Job?

In Texas, employers may conduct background checks on job applicants. These typically include both a criminal background check and a credit check. This is because companies can face future legal trouble when they hire workers that have been convicted of crimes like property damage, assault, and, of course, theft. 

 

The bad news is that an employer may find your mugshot even if no conviction took place. And, they may use it as an excuse to not hire you.

 

While federal and state laws may restrict the release of criminal records, especially those with no conviction – every company has the right to set its own hiring policies. If you have an online mugshot and a criminal record, this could affect your ability to become employed.

 

Also, remember many employees do their own Google search on potential employees. So, any social media posts, negative information, and photos associated with your name and state may easily be found.

 

7. What Is a Petition For Non-Disclosure?

One of the actions that can be taken to clear your name and digital footprint is to file a petition for non-disclosure. This is basically a court order that prevents public entities such as police departments, sheriff’s offices, and courts from releasing certain criminal records. Including your mugshot

 

This can be helpful if you have a criminal record in Texas. However, there are restrictions to how and when it can be used:

  • This is an option if you have completed all court requirements and have been placed on deferred adjudication.
  • Minor misdemeanor offenders may be eligible to file immediately following their deferral period.
  • More serious misdemeanors may require you to wait 2 years after completion of your deferral period.
  • If convicted of certain felony offenses, you must wait 5 years from the completion of the deferral period.

 

A deferral period is the time after the defendant has completed probation and the sentence is suspended. But, all stipulations handed down by a judge must be fulfilled for the deferral to take effect. Afterward, the conviction, sentence, and guilty plea can be thrown out.

 

8. If My Offense Is Expunged, Will Mugshots.com Delete My Texas Mugshot?

If your offense is expunged, that means the courts have ordered your personal data concerning the case to be erased from the public records. Not even law enforcement agencies should be able to find information for an expunged case. 

 

The only times your record and mugshot are expunged from the public record is when you are found not guilty of the offense, or your case was dismissed without any stipulations for probation or court-ordered supervision.

 

All public documents of the offense held by government agencies should be destroyed once a judge grants you an expungement. But, will all instances of your mugshot be deleted from online websites? Not necessarily!

 

Many mugshot distribution companies make money by posting mugshots. Then they charge people a fee to have the mugshot removed from their private website.

 

9. Do I Need a Lawyer To Remove a Texas Mugshot?

The short answer is no. But it still depends on your specific situation. In reality, the easiest way to have your images taken down is to have your charges dismissed.

 

However, if the Court was the one dismissing these charges, or you were found not guilty, you can use the help of a lawyer, especially to expunge or seal your record. As mentioned above, the Texas State Law requires sites to remove mugshots if a non-disclosure agreement is made. 

 

10. For How Long Do Texas Mugshots Stay Online?

Yes, we sort of answered this before. But to be crystal clear, mugshots all over the United States can stay online for years! And, as you know, these are publicly accessible to anyone Googling your name. The only way mugshots “disappear” from the web is to have them purposely removed. This applies especially to private mugshot websites.

 

11. Do Mugshot Removal Services Really Work?

Yes, there are online mugshot removal services that offer to contact all the websites that have your Texas mugshot posted to have them removed altogether. 

 

Posting criminal records, mugshots, and other negative information that can ruin a person’s reputation has become a big business. Across the nation, victims are bilked out of thousands of dollars to remove old mugshots from the internet.

 

Then you must consider the reputable companies that serve a need by gathering and making available arrest records, mugshots, and court records. For instance, during a court case, you may need the details of an offender. In these cases, public records can help victims locate, identify, and prosecute their assailants.

 

Contact a mugshot removal service like EraseMugshots.com. We are experts on removing Google results that expose mugshots that should’ve been deleted or not even posted in the first place. We can find arrest records and mugshots and keep them from ever appearing online in the future.

 

Contact our removal team to learn more about our complete mugshot removal services.

How To Remove STL Mugshots From The Internet

As much as we’d like it to be, life isn’t always predictable. In fact, it can sometimes take some turns that don’t necessarily represent who we really are at our core. 

 

For a myriad of reasons that we may never be able to fully justify to ourselves or to others, we sometimes make decisions that don’t really do us justice. We’re talking about things that not even our friends or family would recognize us for doing. 

 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take a long series of wrong steps to completely turn our lives around for the worse or for society to negatively shift its perception of us. On the contrary, sometimes all it takes is a wrong decision, and everything changes. You’ve turned from a mere citizen to someone who’s either an actual inmate or treated as one.  You can always hire a Reputation Defender 

 

Actually, it’s enough to commit one little crime that gets charged, undergoing an arrest, or getting mugshots, for your entire community to see you differently. This happens even if it’s not a particularly small community, but a medium-sized one, such as Saint-Louis, Missouri. STL mugshots are, unfortunately, shared with the entire town.

 

Dealing With The Stigma Of Having Committed a Crime

The experience of being shunned by other members of the community for breaking the law is only known by those that went through these hardships themselves. The reintegration process can be extremely difficult since law-breaking individuals lose credibility almost instantly, and it’s difficult to erase the information people have on them.

 

In short, the message a criminal receives from society, regardless of the type of crime they’ve committed, isn’t only that they don’t belong there anymore, but also that their shame and guilt are shackles they’ll carry forever.

 

Needless to say, this is a very heavy burden to bear for anyone, apart from the one associated with the committed crime itself. This is especially true if what you’ve done was a mistake, or happened in a moment’s weakness, and it doesn’t truly represent who you are. 

 

And then there are the STL mugshots that seem to linger online where everyone can see them.

 

What Happens Offline Stays Online

Apart from dealing with the psychological implications of having committed a specific deed, the arrests, a police officer, and maybe even a court that analyzes the case, there’s also the identity distortion that occurs online.

 

What we mean by this, and what you may already know, is that there’s online data that will relentlessly carry your least proud moments onward for years to come. Whether you want it or not. 

 

This said, as soon as you’ve been officially arrested, in a matter of hours your STL mugshots and arrest information will show up online. From here on, it takes search engines up to five days to index your mugshot. Once this process is completed, there you are; another mugshot in a sea of other mugshots, which is not really where you’d want to be. 

 

With a quick name search on any browser, anyone can pick up your arrest information and make a snap judgment regarding who you are, both as a person and a professional.

 

So there you are, on this website, looking your worst. Once this happens and you find your face among other less flattering arrest photos online, it will be difficult to ever go back to who you were before in terms of public perception and job opportunities.

 

Can I Have My Photo Removed From STL Mugshots?

person with thumbs up checking deleted arrest records

In short, yes, you absolutely can. The issue here is that the process is more complex than you might have initially thought. This is because our arrest records are also taken over by third-party websites whose central focus is represented by mugshots and arrest information. 

 

This is basically public information they forcefully take over from a domain associated with local, state, or federal websites and repost it on their own page. The one benefit they get out of this is money.

 

Even though some states strictly prohibit third-party websites from reposting mugshots, Missouri being one of them, it’s still no guarantee that STL mugshots won’t end up being the front page of the internet – yours included. 

 

To remove your mugshot from the internet, you need to knock on many doors. Forget about going local! This goes well beyond St Louis County or Montgomery County. On the contrary, content like this spreads like wildfire, and the internet knows no geographical bounds. People in any state or county will be able to see your photo and have access to information regarding the deed you committed. 

 

What your first need to identify before removing any STL mugshots is, of course, all the websites holding your arrest data. You’ll then have to ask the webmasters to take it down. Of course, the webmaster of these types of websites controls their own response to your request, so they may accept or reject it.

 

We Can Help You Remove Your STL Mugshot

Our unique expertise will serve in successfully removing your mugshot from the internet, including from stlmugshots.com, leaving no trace behind. Our purpose? To help you steer clear from a past related to police officers, the St. Louis County sheriff, the St. Louis County jail, or anything else that’s similarly unpleasant.

 

It will take us up to seven days to remove everything that needs to be taken down from the internet, and we’ll do it so thoroughly that no engine will be able to pick up on your record, or any STL mugshots. Of course, our removal process is selective, so we’ll keep all positive information associated with you on the internet. 

 

If you decide our services are what you’re looking for, simply fill out the form on our website. Our agency will contact you to discuss your specific situation.

 

As soon as you give us the green light, we’ll immediately begin to scour the internet for any traces of your criminal activity. We then start the process of removing your mugshot from all web pages.

 

Here at EraseMugshots.com, we can remove STL mugshots and all other arrest-related information from the internet within seven days. If you are not satisfied with our work, don’t worry! We offer a full money-back guarantee.

 

Contact us today, and allow yourself to live free from the past and free to create a new life for yourself.

Bail Bonds HQ Removal: Everything You Need to Know

Need fast Bail Bonds HQ removal? Contact us today at 866-601-6803 !

 

If you’ve ever been arrested, you know that information about your arrest and mugshot can appear quickly online.

In just a few days, search engines can index that information, making it easy to find by anyone Googling your name. This includes potential employers, landlords, relatives and more.

One company that posts such information is Bail Bonds HQ. We’ll help answer the questions you may have about Bail Bonds HQ removal.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail Bonds HQ removal

What is Bail Bonds HQ?

Bail Bonds HQ is a website claiming to provide a directory of bail bondsmen and women for those seeking that info. In addition, this site offers a “resource for bail bondsmen”, or a searchable index of inmates in jails throughout the U.S.

This practice of posting arrest records and other such information has led to numerous complaints against the company. This includes many with the Better Business Bureau.

In Jacksonville, Florida, where it’s based, Bail Bonds HQ has received 137 complaints in just three years.

How did Bail Bonds HQ get my information?

Most arrest information, mugshots and court records are public information. As such, those records are available to anyone combing through police department and court websites, and archives.

This practice may not be ethical. But in most cases, it’s perfectly legal.

How do I get false info removed from Bail Bonds HQ?

Bail Bonds HQ provides a way to “opt out” of the site by filling out a simple online form. It claims to remove the arrest information of those who “opt out” within three business days.

The problem, however, is that the information on their site has likely been indexed by search engines and other scraping sites. This means it will still be visible to potential employers, creditors and partners, even after Bail Bonds HQ removes it.

And as many of us know, it’s not easy to remove things from the internet.

How long will the information stay on Bail Bonds HQ?

Without anyone acting on your behalf, your arrest information could remain online indefinitely.

These days, you can still find arrest information from a decade ago or longer on the internet. After search engines like Google index that info, and third-party sites pick it up, it can stay in search results long after  Bail Bonds HQ removes it.

What if my case was dismissed or my record was expunged? What if I was found not guilty? Why do I still need to pay to have my mugshot and arrest information removed?

The US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) makes all such records available to the public. These records, including court records and mugshots, can be used by owners of websites, such as Bail Bonds HQ.

The laws governing these sites aren’t exactly clear. If you sealed or expunged your record, or if the court dismissed your case, your info will likely show up on Bail Bond HQ or other websites.

Once your information is available online, it can be picked up by others. Thus, it is very difficult to “put the genie back into the bottle.”

Some websites that pick up your information could be based overseas, where US laws aren’t in effect.

Do I need an attorney to remove my information from Bail Bonds HQ?

No. You don’t need to involve an attorney and pay a high, hourly fee. Since arrest information removal is our primary business, we offer superior, more specialized services than what your attorney can offer.

Your attorney has other strong points, like representing you at court hearings and making sure court fines are as low as possible. But it’s unlikely he or she has skills in information removal like our team of experts.

After all, we deal with similar situations to yours every day.

What are the steps for removing my information from Bail Bonds HQ?

At Erasemugshots.com, we make it easy to remove your arrest information from Bail Bonds HQ and other mugshot websites.

To start, you just have to fill out the request form on our website. One of our representatives will contact you quickly and discuss your unique situation.

We’ll provide you with a free removal analysis and cost estimate. If you like our proposal, we’ll get started right away. The entire Bail Bonds HQ removal process can be accomplished in as little as 24 hours.

How much does it cost for Bail Bonds HQ removal?

The cost to remove your arrest information from Bail Bonds HQ depends on your individual situation. It also depends on how many of your records are on the site and the amount of time they’ve been online.

However, we offer a free removal analysis and cost estimate before we do any work. This is so you know upfront how much it will cost.

In addition, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with our Bail Bonds HQ removal service, we refund 100% of your money, promptly and cheerfully.

So, what do I do now?

You don’t have to be embarrassed and suffer the loss of job, loan and romantic opportunities simply because your information is on Bail Bond HQ.
To learn more about Bail Bond HQ removal, contact our Mugshot removal team at 866-601-6803 today. To date, we have helped more than 10,000 people like you remove their bail and arrest records from the internet. Let us help you get a fresh start.

Can I Use Ohio Mugshots Removal Services in 2021?

Whether we want to admit it or not, we have all made mistakes in our lifetime. If you have been arrested, Ohio mugshots removal services can help you protect your online reputation.

You have already paid for your mistakes, and you do not deserve to have a constant reminder online. With these services, your mugshot and arrest details will no longer be accessible online.

Rather than your employer, friends, or family learning about your arrest, you can have peace of mind. Without these services, your mugshot will always appear in the top search results when someone Googles your name.

If your online reputation matters, you deserve to work with the best mugshot removal experts – EraseMugshots.com!

How Quickly Did My Ohio Mugshots Appear Online?

Unfortunately, your Ohio mugshots appeared online as soon as the arresting agency uploaded your arrest details into their database. And once your mugshot and arrest became available, mugshot websites imported the details for everyone to see. In most states, mugshots are considered public records, making them easily accessible to anyone with a web connection.

Usually, more than one mugshot website will be sure to gather information about your arrest. This means one, five, or hundreds of websites have your mugshot and arrest details available.

There is no way to prevent these websites from gathering mugshots and arrest details in Ohio. Should you ever face an arrest again, your new mugshot will immediately be available for the public to see.

This is why it’s so important to remove your mugshot as quickly as possible. This limits the likelihood of your boss, mom, friends, or others discovering your mistake.

Will My Mugshot Live On The Internet Forever?

Yes, your mugshot will stay online until it is removed. If you do not employ the best Ohio mugshots removal services, your mugshot will easily be found as long as the Internet is in existence.

If you do not want those around you to know about your past mistakes, you need to have your mugshot removed as quickly as possible.

How Can I Have My Mugshot Removed Online?

While you may find “free” ways to have your mugshot removed, there are many hurdles you must overcome. Unfortunately, these “free” ways only apply to those who were never charged or had their expunged.

Worse, sometimes these “free” removal options are not honored before others find out the mugshot.

The best way to erase your mugshot is to utilize top-rated Ohio mugshots removal services from EraseMugshots.com. Our team of experts work quickly to identify where your mugshot is online.

We leave no website unturned to ensure your online reputation is protected.

We work through the formal request on your behalf to ensure these mugshot websites actually remove your mugshot. From there, we will reach out to Google and other search engines with the list of cached pages that have your mugshot.

We make sure these cached pages no longer appear in search results pages.

Better still, we offer lifetime monitoring and reputation management at no charge. Should any details of your arrest or mugshot reappear, we will have them removed. This value-added service ensures you never have to worry about someone finding your mugshot in the future.

Are Mugshots Removal Services in Ohio Legal?

Mugshot removal services in Ohio are completely legal. While we cannot speak on behalf of other websites that offer similar services, EraseMugshots.com is 100% legitimate.

We prefer real services for real individuals who need their mugshots removed. We strive for complete customer satisfaction.

Should you not like the results we prove, you can take advantage of our money-back guarantee. Although, our customers are always satisfied with the results we provide.

They are incredibly happy to have their mugshot removed from the Internet for good. They have gotten back to living their life without fear of someone finding their mugshot.

Contact The Ohio Mugshots Removal Experts Today!

We understand that last mistakes can impact your online reputation. However, that does not mean you need to lost out on friendships, future career opportunities, or moments with your family.

You can have your mugshot erase from the Internet and live without worry. With our Ohio mugshots removal services, you no longer have to worry about your arrest tarnishing your reputation.

Our highly rated services and expert customer service will give you peace of mind. Once and for all, your mugshot and arrest details will be a thing of the past. The only person who will have a memory of their mugshot is you.

You deserve to leave the past in the past and begin living for today. You do not need to let your Ohio mugshots stop you from living your best life. Please do not hesitate to call us today at 844-641-8163 to learn more about our mugshot removal services.

With our money-back guarantee, you can have confidence that our team of experts will work hard to remove your mugshot fast.

Need Rapsheets Removal? Here’s What to Know

Is your mugshot on Rapsheets.org? Call us today for a Rapsheets Removal solution that works fast!

 

If you’ve been in trouble with the law, you probably don’t want the world to know. We understand. Mistakes from the past shouldn’t necessarily determine your future. Here, we’ll take a look at what you need to know if your information is on Rapsheets.org.

What Is Rapsheets.org?

Rapsheets.org is a public database of criminal records. Currently, the website redirects to publicpolicerecords.com. Site visitors can enter a person’s name as a search term.

After entering a search term, mugshots, criminal records, and other information appear. Site visitors have access to arrest details, addresses, aliases, tattoo details, and more.

The website’s physical address is in Florida. Rapsheets.org is not affiliated with government or law enforcement agencies. Plain and simple — the site exists to make money. If you request Rapsheets removal, you’re not doing anything illegal.

If your criminal history is on Rapsheets.org, it’s easy for others to get your criminal history information. You’ll want to consider Rapsheets removal if you want to keep your arrest records private.

Why Should You Remove Your Online Criminal History?

If you’re thinking about Rapsheets removal, you’re making a smart move. There are many reasons why you don’t want your criminal history floating around.

Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most important reasons to conceal your criminal past.

Getting An Apartment

When you’re looking for an apartment, it can be tough to find a place that’s a good fit. Many landlords require a background check prior to offering a lease.

Even if you find a landlord who doesn’t require a background check, they’ll look you up online before offering you an apartment.

When you have a criminal history, you may find that your living options are seriously limited. In order to open up your options for housing, you may want to think about Rapsheets removal.

Getting A Job

Most hiring officials research applicants before offering a job (or an interview). The last thing you want is for your mugshot to pop up when you’re searched.

Even when a job doesn’t require a full background check, your potential employer will take the time to search for you online. If your criminal history is available, it will pop up.

Even if your potential employer tries to keep an open mind, it’s hard to overcome seeing your criminal history. If you choose not to do rapsheets removal, you’ll want to be upfront with your employer about your past.

If you have not committed a felony, your application likely won’t require that you reveal your criminal history. Getting your history off the internet can be an important first step toward getting a job.

Getting a Mortgage

When you decide that you’d like to buy a house, a criminal history can make it hard to get a mortgage. Other loans, such as car loans, can be difficult as well.

Just like a landlord or potential employer, a lender will likely look you up online before agreeing to lend you money. When your criminal history is available online, it can be tough to get a loan.

How To Get Your Criminal Record Removed From The Internet: Your Options

If you’ve decided to get your record removed from the internet, you’re making a smart decision. There are several options you can pursue to have your criminal history removed from the internet, including:

  • Asking websites from criminal history removal
  • Getting your records sealed or expunged
  • Working with a professional reputation management company

Reach Out To Rapsheets.org Directly For Rapsheets Removal

If you find your criminal information on a website, you can contact the webmaster directly. Asking for rapsheets removal works sometimes. It’s up to the webmaster whether to honor your request.

It’s recommended that you ask for your information removal via certified mail. Rapsheets.org’s address is:

PublicPoliceRecord.com

PO Box 162644

Altamonte Springs, FL 32716

Other rapsheet websites are often more difficult to contact due to overseas addresses. If you choose to contact the organization yourself, you may want to work with a lawyer to write an effective letter.

While having your information removed from one website is helpful, it may still pop up elsewhere. You need to stay diligent about checking the web for your private information.

Get Your Record Expunged

You can also get your record sealed or expunged. This means that your criminal history won’t pop up in a background check.

In order to get your record expunged, you’ll need to wait a certain period of time after your arrest. Check the specific laws in your state.

To get your record sealed, you’ll petition the court. You can do this on your own, but it’s usually easier with a lawyer. While this can take time and money, it’s an effective way to clean up your past.

Once the expunction process is complete, you’ll need to send proof of the expunction to Rapsheets.org. It may still take some time for the site to remove your information. Just like a standard request, it’s more effective if this letter comes from a lawyer.

Work With A Reputation Management Company

When you try to get your information removed from the internet on your own, it can be hard to know where to start. You’ll need to constantly monitor the internet for new information.

It can be stressful and time-consuming to search for yourself daily. When you work with a professional reputation management company, you can rest assured that someone else is doing this for you.

Professional reputation management companies also have experience removing info from Rapsheets and mugshot websites. This can make it easier for them to remove your information.

You may have concerns about the cost of a professional reputation management company. Most companies offer reasonable prices for their services. Paying for a reputation management company costs far less than living without ideal employment due to public criminal records.

Need Rapsheets Removal? We’re Here For You.

Trying to rent an apartment? Struggling to find a job?

A criminal record can cause problems. At EraseMugshots, we know that you want your criminal history removed from Rapsheets.org — fast. We can help.

You don’t have to try to figure this out on your own. When you reach out to us, we’ll listen to your concerns. Together, we’ll develop a reputation management plan.

Rapsheets Removal isn’t easy, and it’s best left to professionals. The longer your info remains online, the more people are likely to see it. You deserve to move forward with your life.

Call us today to learn more.

Are Mugshot Websites Illegal In 2021?

Are you struggling to remove your arrest photos from the Internet and wonder whether mugshot websites are illegal or not? In today’s post, we’ll discuss the legal aspects of mugshot websites, and what people can do to prevent arrest data from ruining their lives.

 

If you’ve ever been arrested and had to deal with a law enforcement agency, your booking photograph — also known as mugshot — will get published as a public record on the local police department’s website. Sometimes it may be online for just a little while. Other times it can stay there forever. But from this moment on, it’s just a matter of weeks until your booking information ends up spreading all over the Internet. 

 

And if having your arrest photo accessible to everyone online was not bad enough, you should know that mugshots include more than just your photos!

 

Most commonly, together with your set of pics, there will also be some sort of identification information. This can include your name, height, and other data related to your supposed crime.

 

As an arrest’s information can be hard to remove from the Internet, in this article we’ll share advice on how to prevent your personal records from getting tarnished online.

 

Why It’s Helpful To Know Whether Mugshot Websites Are Illegal Or Not

 

Mugshots aren’t only reserved for dangerous criminals and serious felonies. People from all walks of life can end up having mugshots, oftentimes for something as small as a minor car accident. 

 

Maybe you have a friend who is dealing with this problem, or maybe it’s someone in your family who just got arrested. It can even be you the one who is facing this issue.

 

Amongst all those having their mugshots online, some are guilty, while others have been wrongfully convicted. No matter the situation, in both instances, their criminal record information will become readily accessible to anyone in just a click.

 

With the Internet taking over our lives, more and more Americans are witnessing mugshots damaging their reputation, and sometimes even ruining their lives. That’s because, nowadays, whether you want to get hired, join a dating website, start a business practice, or even move into a new building, you can be sure that someone, somewhere, will be looking for your name online. 

 

According to careerbuilder.com, 70% of the companies are using social networking sites to research job candidates during the hiring process. The same study has shown that 34 percent of employers have reprimanded or fired an employee based on information found online.

 

Unsure Of What Having Your Mugshot Online Can Do To You?

 

When it comes to mugshots, many of us don’t know how to handle seeing that a person has an arrest record, no matter if the charges are true or not. In reality, almost all charges people face never go to court. 

 

Knowing that an individual has a criminal record makes us reject them from the start, most of the time without a second thought.

 

To exemplify the psychological impact a booking photo posted online can have on a person’s life, here’s the story of Sheena Foley. This 28-year-old woman from South Burlington has seen her reputation crumble after her mugshot appeared online. 

 

In 2015, Sheena had rolled through a stop sign while driving without a license. What followed after turned into more than an arrest. When the local police department published her arrest photo on their Facebook page, her small car accident quickly turned into public shame. According to her own words, having her picture accessible to all her neighbors, friends, and work colleagues made her feel just like a murderer or a drug dealer.

 

Now that we went through how damaging mugshots can be, let’s get back to looking at whether mugshot websites are illegal or not, and what we can do in this regard. 

mugshot of man

Are Mugshot Websites Illegal Or Not For Operators?

 

The quick answer is NO. Mugshot websites are NOT illegal. In the United States, publishing booking photographs on mugshot websites is not necessarily illegal because these are considered public records. Therefore, any mugshot site out there can publish them freely.  And, as much as technology makes our lives much easier, this doesn’t apply to the mugshot industry.

 

Why? Because the Internet makes it extremely easy for mugshot websites to scoop up both new and old mugshots from law enforcement agencies and post them on their own websites. 

 

The online mugshot industry appeared in the early 2000s when the Internet was booming. Since then, it has turned into an extremely lucrative business. 

 

According to Andrew Cuomo, in 2017 there were 70 million Americans that got arrested, making up a total of one in three adults. Among these, the percentage of people taken to jail — even if only for a day — that will re-enter society is over 90 percent. All of them had their photos taken. As you can guess, many are still struggling to remove these pics from the web and wish they could move on with their lives without repercussions.

 

Law Enforcement Agencies And The Legislation Behind Mugshot Websites

 

During the last few years, the mugshot industry has been getting more attention from legislators and law courts due to websites monetizing people’s public records. 

 

There were even cases when mugshot website owners were arrested for charges such as identity theft, money laundering, or mugshot extortion.

 

Although at the border between legal and illegal, mugshot websites operate under the First Amendment rights when posting arrest records online. 

 

These websites are also protected under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIA), which has no restrictions set forth against a site publishing people’s mugshots. By 2013, 18 states had passed laws forbidding websites to ask for a fee to remove arrest records. But for the rest of the country, once your booking photos go online, there is no legal obligation forbidding site hosts from asking money to take them off.

 

If Mugshot Websites Are Not Illegal, What’s Left To Do? 

 

In conclusion, once your booking photo is posted online, is there any way to have it removed?  

 

Fortunately, yes!

 

Thanks to companies like EraseMugshots.com, anyone has the chance to get rid of these harmful mugshots from the internet and move on with their lives.

 

Wondering why you cannot just handle the mugshot removal yourself? Well, you can. But it’s complicated. There’s an infinite number of websites where your arrest records can be found. So, the trouble can be bigger than just appearing on the site that published your information first.

 

Many of these websites won’t agree to remove your booking photo even if the charges were dropped or dismissed. Others will only agree to remove your mugshot in exchange for a fee ranging between $100 to $500. Sometimes even more. Not to mention that most of this negative information will now probably appear in Google’s top results when someone searches for your name.

 

When you are looking to repair your reputation, contacting all these websites can be discouraging, to say the least. However, our reputation experts are here to help you!

 

We offer a 100% guaranteed removal and can remove your arrest records in as little as 72 hours. Other than that, our experts can also help you monitor your reputation and rebuild it by adding positive content about you online. This new content will end up suppressing any negative information that appears about you in search engine results.

 

To find out more about what we can do for you, get in touch today!

How Content Removal Services Help Protect Your Online Reputation

Have an unwanted image or arrest record floating around on the web? Learn how content removal services can help protect your online reputation today at 866-601-6803

One thing is certain: in life, we all make mistakes (big, small, and everything between).

But if your online reputation is now suffering due to past mistakes, content removal services can help you regain control. Rather than employers and relatives discovering embarrassing arrest info, you can ensure your online reputation is safe and insulated.

Whether it was a simple misunderstanding or something more serious, you don’t have to be haunted by your arrest record and mugshots online.

You can achieve the peace of mind that comes with a positive reputation that stands the test of time.

And with the help of content removal experts, you can leave the past where it belongs: in the past.

Search Results Can Sometimes Be Your Enemy

Like it or not, your mugshot is making its way throughout the internet. Once it hits a government database, it’s collected by hundreds of websites, which then share your mistake.

On your own, it is impossible to find all the websites hosting information about your arrest.

However, you don’t have to handle this situation alone. Proven content removal experts will take time to comb the web and locate each mugshot hurting your reputation.

If you have more than one arrest, there may be no way to know how many sites have your details on file. Many of these sites sell background reports on individuals, which can stand between you and housing, job, and even dating opportunities.

How does content removal help?

A specialized removal service ensures erases any trace of your arrest record online. This allows you to protect your reputation and prevent others from learning about the night you would rather forget.

Once content removal experts identify each instance of your mugshot and arrest record online, you receive a content removal services quote. And since each situation is unique, every person receives a customized strategy for removing those unwanted records from the internet.

You enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your Google results are clear, and that all arrest details and mugshots are gone for good. This investment is well worth it.

And any reputable content removal services provider will be more than happy to deliver results fast.

Content Removal Services Clean Up Google Results

Once you agree to your content removal services campaign, the experts get to work. Experienced removal specialists work tirelessly to identify unwanted items and complete each content removal request quickly.

These requests detail any and all arrest records you want to remove from the web. And while you could attempt this on your own, you may spend months or even years trying to do so.

What’s more: removing your arrest records from each site is not enough. Since Google and other search engines cache these pages, your arrest likely still lives online. This is where partnering with a seasoned content removal team is so beneficial.

At EraseMugshots.com, we go a step beyond content removal. Once removed, we notify every search engine that your arrest information has been removed. We then request that any and all traces of your mugshot arrest details stop appearing on search engine results pages.

Even better, if your arrest records somehow resurface online, the EraseMugshots team immediately takes action at no additional charge. Your online reputation will be protected for life.

Gone are the days of facing constant reminders of that past mistake. We work hard to ensure your arrest record(s) stay off of the internet.

We understand that everyone makes mistakes. But we don’t believe your online reputation should be under threat forever.

Content Removal Services Clean Up Mugshots & Arrest Records for Good

When it comes to protecting your online reputation, you need an experienced content removal services provider.

Rather than constantly suffering from past mistakes, your mugshot and arrest record details will be off the internet for good. This allows you to get the job, house, and other opportunities without fear of an embarrassing record taking it all down.

You can finally leave the past in the past and earn the peace of mind you deserve.

When you partner with EraseMugshots, you get a team of experts who care about your online success. Our content removal services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You also receive 24/7 support, which ensures the same arrest or mugshot cannot resurface on the internet.

And, we offer affordable monthly payments to fit your budget.

This is an investment in your online reputation. And we want you to feel completely comfortable working with our team.

Have a mugshot or arrest record online?

We can help. To get your free removal analysis, call us any time at 866-601-6803 . We look forward to helping you protect your online future for years to come.

Why Are Some Mugshots Not Online?

Why are some mugshots not online? Learn the answer to this burning question in our guide below. 

Every day, people are arrested. Many of these arrests are for minor violations. And plenty of them are false arrests. For some categories, only 45 percent of arrests lead to a conviction.

Despite this, arrest records can stick around for a long time. A person falsely arrested or never convicted might find their mugshot online years after the incident.

Online mugshots can hurt your career, personal life and well-being. At the same time, there are convicted felons out there, and their records aren’t available anywhere.

So, why does this discrepancy exist? And why are mugshots ever published online?

Why Are Some Mugshots Not Online?

If you do a quick Google search, you find plenty of websites that list mugshots of people arrested in your area. These directories have multiple purposes.

In some cases, they help with public awareness and help authorities track missing, dangerous individuals. In others, they simply create problems for people arrested at some point.

Regardless, you’ll find there are thousands of people who have faced arrest and don’t appear in these directories. So, why are some mugshots not online?

The answer to this question runs deeper than you might imagine. It’s a complicated concept and when you know more about it, you’ll understand the best way to remove your mugshot from any of these sites.

Are Mugshots Public Record?

In short, yes. Mugshots are part of the public arrest record. Typically speaking, the mugshot is taken during booking, when a person is arrested. This photo is included in the general arrest record, and those records are always available to the public.

In the majority of cases, these records are kept within a county office. For some state and federal arrests, the records will be kept by state or federal authorities.

But Why?

Why are mugshots kept as public records? The reason dates back to the origins of the country. The founders were concerned with accountability for the state, police and courts. So, they included the right to trial into the Constitution and an extension of that was to make arrests public record.

The justification is that it’s harder for the government to unjustly lock someone away if there is a public record of the arrest. Loved ones, journalists and other interested parties can track the record to find everyone who is being held and why.

Mugshots are an extension of this. Since the mugshot is part of the booking process, the picture can be used to confirm who is in jail. It is an important method of accountability for the state.

In the digital age, this method can become a double-edged sword. While it is still important for arrest records to be public, having a mugshot online can have a negative impact on the person arrested, even if they are never convicted. This is why there is a movement to remove mugshots and arrest records from easy public access.

How Long Does It Take Mugshots to Appear Online?

This depends on a number of factors, but it mostly boils down to the efficiency of law enforcement. Not all departments move with the same efficiency, and that is the primary factor in how long it takes records to show up.

If everything is processed efficiently, the mugshot will take an average of 1-3 days to show up on websites. If the county is slow in records processing, it can take longer. Some counties average a full month before the records start showing up online.

Timing can be made worse by Google and other search engines. It can take months for AI to find a particular piece of information and boost its visibility.

For this reason, some mugshots may never be found online, even though the information is public. Other mugshots can show up in a matter of hours. It depends on how the search engines rank the information.

Can You Have Your Mugshot Removed From the Internet?

The answer to this question depends on the state. Each state has its own rules and regulations, and they are mostly split on this particular point.

There are states that prohibit the online publishing of mugshots. If a mugshot is on file in one of those states, third-party websites cannot publish the photos, and violations can lead to fines and prosecution. In states where no such laws exist, third-party sites can publish mugshots, and many charge a fee to remove them.

To remove a mugshot from a website, check your state laws. If any laws are broken, consult with an attorney to remove those pictures.

In a state where these laws are not in effect, the best bet is to contact the party hosting the mugshot. Discuss removal with the site owner. Depending on why they have the information in the first place, that discussion can go in a number of directions. But most sites listing mugshots will ask for money before they take it down.

Get Help Removing Your Mugshot From the Internet

If you or someone you know has a mugshot on the internet, we can help. Contact us today at 866-601-6803 .

We show you how to expunge your photo from all websites so that it won’t plague you. If you want to delete online mugshots, let us help.

Simple Guide to Bail Bond Search Removal

Need a Bail Bond Search Removal solution? Call our Removal Experts to start the mugshot removal process today. 

 

Most people agree that a picture is worth a thousand words. But if this picture is an online mugshot photo documenting one of your lowest points, it could cost you much more and impact your long-term future.

For example, an online mugshot could be the reason a potential employer decides to go with another candidate. Even if your state prohibits employers from asking about arrests, a simple Google search can cast you in the wrong light.

Instead of allowing a poor choice or situation that may have been out of your control to haunt you for the rest of your life, you can own the narrative with bail bond search removal. In the most simple sense, bail bond search removal is the process of removing your arrest mugshot from websites that look to profit on your demise.

To provide further clarity, the team at Erase Mugshots has created the Guide to Bail Bond Search Removal. We cover the basics to many bail bond mugshot removal FAQs from A to Z. Read on to learn more and if you’re looking for quick, private, and 100% guaranteed removal, give us a call today!

What is a Bail Bond Search?

Bail Bond Search was designed to be a resource for bail bondsmen across the United States. The original intent was for it to act as a central national inmate directory for bail bondsmen to search who was in jail.

Even though the site may have been helpful for bail bondsmen, it’s accessible to virtually anyone. Because of this, it can be humiliating for those whose mugshot is broadcast on bail bonds search. Even more alarming is the personal information usually displayed beneath your embarrassing booking photo. This information may include your:

  • Name
  • Age
  • Occupation,
  • General location, and
  • Even your creditworthiness

What Are the Dangers of Bail Bond Mugshot Searches?

The main danger of your mugshot being broadcast across the web is it implies you are associated with a criminal act. Even if you were never convicted, the arrest mugshot will suggest your involvement with nefarious or criminal activity. And this negative image can impact your life in more ways than one.

We previously alluded to one condition where a potential employer could easily search and find your mugshot from several years ago. At the same time, having your mugshot in a bail bond search could ruin professional relationships and cast you in an unfair light.

How to Perform Bail Bond Search Removal for Free?

If you’re looking to go the most economical route to have your jail mugshot removed from bail bond search, there are a couple of options. It’s important to understand that neither of these methods are 100% certain, but they may be worth a try.

Reach Out to the Webmaster for Bail Bond Search Removal

One of the first steps you can take is to reach out to the webmaster of the site directly and request that your mugshot be removed. To do so, go to the contact page or question section of the website to research the expressed reasons they will voluntarily remove your mugshot. If your efforts are fruitful, the website’s webmaster will remove your mugshot from the page instead of it being suppressed via search engines.

Reach Out to Google to Have Your Arrest Mugshot Removed

Another option is for you to reach out directly to Google. And because Google is the largest and most popular search engine, you may prefer to have Google suppress the mugshot results. It’s important to understand that Google will remove search engine results for specific legal reasons.

This means it may behoove you to research these reasons to see if your quality. Google may also remove personal information, such as an arrest mugshot, upon request if the information poses a risk or harm to you. By most accounts, however, Google isn’t likely to remove arrest mugshots if it’s readily available to the public.

Do All States Allow Arrest Mugshots to Be Posted Online?

No. Since 2013, 18 different states have pushed bills to prevent and restrict mugshot websites from charging you to remove your mugshot. A growing number of states have laws that prohibit the distribution of your mugshot on bail bond websites. These states will usually offer clear instructions on what you should do to remove your mugshot from the site for free.

These instructions typically include submitting written documentation through mail to request they remove your mugshot from their site. Because of this, you should always check the laws of the state in which you were arrested.

Can Expunging My Record Result in My Arrest Mugshot Removal?

Expunging or sealing your record is one option that can be a little more challenging to accomplish, but can yield the desired result. And the crime you committed must fall within the purview of the expungement law. In most instances, this means the crime has to be a minor offense, such as:

  • Juvenile offenses
  • Low-level misdemeanors
  • Minor drug crimes
  • Non-violent crimes
  • Infractions
  • DUIs
  • And more

While the rules can vary from state to state, most expungements will require a particular amount of time has transpired since the conviction or incident. An expungement also usually requires that you haven’t been convicted of other criminal offenses.

How Does the Expungement Process Work?

The expungement typically involves you filing a petition with the court to have your arrest record sealed or expunged. If your expungement is successful, you can send the order to the website where your arrest mugshot is published. Many — but not all — mugshot arrest websites will remove your information if you have gone through the process of expungement. However, this may not always be the case. At the same time, certain states will require the website to remove the mugshot when you present this evidence to them.

What’s the Best Way to Remove My Mugshot from the Web?

When it comes to the best bail bond search removal solution, there is no one-size-fits-all fix. What works well for one person may render insufficient results for you. However, customers often find the most success by partnering with the experienced and trusted professionals at Erase Mugshots.

For more than 10 years, the Erase Mugshots team has specialized in executing strategic bail bond search removal. To date, we have successfully removed more than 100,000 mugshots and helped over 10,000 clients. We offer quick, private, and 100% guaranteed solutions. As experts in bail bond search removal, we utilize an array of methods and best practices, empowering you to regain control of your public image.

What Is the Erase Mugshot Process?

At Erase Mugshots, we take a tailored approach to successfully removing mugshots from bail bond searches. Although no two cases are alike, they all start with a free bail bond search removal analysis. Our seasoned team of removal specialists will meticulously scour the web to uncover all:

  • Mugshots,
  • Arrest records,
  • Booking information, and
  • Bail bond information from all sites.

After we’ve conducted a thorough analysis, someone from our bail bond search removal team will reach out to you to discuss the findings and create a tailored plan of attack.

Can You Delete Bail Bond Search Photos & Mugshots?

Yes! Erase Mugshots specialize in quickly and efficiently removing mugshots from different bail bond search databases. As a part of the bail bond removal service, we will remove your criminal records from each website; and then we notify Google, Bing, and Yahoo to remove your information as well as block it from appearing.

While this may suffice and result in your mugshot being removed, we also offer several packages that can be catered to your unique needs. Some of the most common services include:

  • Suppression of negative information
  • De-indexing
  • Mugshot removal
  • And more

Why Shouldn’t I Just Pay the Hosting Site Directly to Remove the Mugshot Photo?

Many customers come to us as a last resort because they have, unfortunately, paid the site directly to remove their mugshot. After making this mistake, they notice the same mugshot and arrest pops up on another site. And the process continues.

It’s similar to modern-day legal web extortion. At Erase Mugshots, you pay us one time for the arrest record, and we will guarantee it will be removed from all websites — never to return. If it does, it’s on us! Best of all, all of our projects are backed by a 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Can a Potential Employer or Business Partner Find Deleted Mugshots?

When we remove your mugshot, you can rest assured all records are blocked from appearing. As an added measure, we request that all traces of the mugshot, image, and record be permanently deleted from search engines, including:

  • Google
  • Bing
  • Yahoo
  • And more.

And in the rare event, a trace of the mugshot and/or arrest record reappears, the team at Erase Mugshot will reconcile the problem at no additional charge to you. However, it’s imperative this is the same arrest.

Reclaim Your Reputation. Contact Erase Mugshots Now!

While it’s possible for you to complete bail bond search removal, it takes time and can end up costing you exponentially more. No matter what, the process can be overwhelming and include volumes of legal paperwork. Properly conducting bail bond search removal is a tedious process loaded with pitfalls.

However, you are not alone. At Erase Mugshots, you have access to an entire team of around-the-clock 24/7 support. We will provide you with timely updates as we work through your mugshot removal solution.

Best of all, we offer flexible monthly payments as well as several other options designed to work with the tightest of budget. Our goal is to make our services accessible to those who need us the most. And getting started is easy and hassle-free.

Contact us today for your free bail bond search removal consultation and analysis by calling 866-601-6803