Do you need to remove mugshots from the internet? Contact us to start the removal process today.
Once you’ve been arrested, the police report that’s drawn up has your personal data and your mugshot wrapped into one. Moreover, anybody has the right to obtain this type of documentation for any individual who lives in the United States due to the Freedom of Information Act.
This can expose you to various threats if your information falls into the wrong hands online.
In this article, we’ll go over ways to remove mugshots from the internet so you can protect your privacy, relationships and opportunities.
Our mugshot removal experts will analyze search engine results to find and remove your personal information and mugshots online. Call us at 866-601-6803 for more information.
Why Is Your Mugshot Online?
After an arrest, it’s common for arrest information, mug shots and other personal details to show up online. How does this happen? It’s because arrest records are considered public records.
- In many cases, the arresting law enforcement agency will make your information public via its website.
- From there, mugshot sites scrape the internet for new information and catalog your arrest details — whether or not you were actually found guilty of a crime.
- Once that happens, it’s more likely that your booking photo and arrest information will show up in Google search results for your name.
Removing mugshots from the internet is your first step to freeing yourself from past mistakes that may be holding you back. Whether you are searching for a new career, looking to buy a home, trying out online dating, or seeking new business connections, you’ll want your mugshot removed from search results.
It’s Not Hard To Find Your Personal Information
When someone wants to learn more about you — because you’ve applied for a loan, connected with them on a dating site, filled out an application to rent an apartment, etc. — it’s common for that individual to Google your name.
In addition to that, there are many instances where it’s standard practice to run a background check. For example, an employer who’s considering hiring you or a bank that’s deciding whether or not to give you a mortgage will often conduct a background check.
When this happens, the last thing you want them to find is a mugshot from a DUI case or arrest records from that time you got into a fight in public.
This is why it’s important to begin the process of removing your mugshot from the internet as soon as possible.
How To Remove Your Mugshot From the Internet
Let’s go over the steps to removing your booking photo and related details from the internet.
Find All Instances of the Mugshot Online
Start by searching for your name and variations of your name on Google, Bing and Yahoo. Then, check sites that aggregate mugshots. Lastly, scour social media sites and forums, including Facebook groups and Reddit, to see if your mugshot has been shared on any of those platforms.
Contact the Website Directly
Many websites have removal procedures to request that your information be taken off the site. Look for a link in the footer of the home page that says something like “Do Not Share My Information” or “Opt-Out.” Alternatively, find the contact information for the business owner and get in touch with them that way.
Explain that you want your information removed from the database, and provide a link that goes directly to your profile on the site.
Keep a record of all your communication, even if you don’t hear back from the site. This could help your case if you need to take more extreme action.
Consider Your Legal Options
At times, your only option will be taking legal action. Here’s what to do:
- Check your state’s laws about privacy and mugshot removal. In some instances, sites have to comply with removal requests within a certain timeframe.
- Provide proof that your records were sealed or expunged. Most websites will remove your information if you provide documentation from the court.
- Send a cease-and-desist or DMCA takedown notice if the content violates your rights.
Sometimes, a formal request is enough to get the site owner to remove your information to avoid further trouble.
Work With a Reputation Management Company
Handling all of this on your way is a lot. If you don’t have the time or energy to tackle all of this by yourself — or if removing the content doesn’t get rid of all of your negative search results — a professional online reputation management (ORM) team can help.
An ORM expert will find every instance of your arrest record and mugshot online, then submit removal requests to the various sites that are posting your information. When removal isn’t possible, new content is created and optimized to push down those unflattering results.
Our mugshot removal services will remove your online arrest records and mugshot images fast. Contact us today at 866-601-6803 to learn more.
Do You Need To Remove Your Mugshot From Search Engine Results?
Even if you’ve submitted removal requests to mugshot sites or had your record sealed or expunged, you still need to be aware of how you appear in Google Search.
Google doesn’t update immediately. Once content is removed or updated, it takes Google a while to reflect those changes on the search engine results page.
That means there could be remnants of your public records in search results. If people Google your name and skim the top results, they may be able to see a bit about your arrest. Even if you’ve taken legal action to prevent the information from being found, it may still be part of your digital footprint.
Once your information has been taken down from the source, you can use Google’s tool for refreshing outdated content to update search results.
Work With a Trusted Company To Remove Your Mugshot Online
The internet can make or break your reputation. And whether you think so or not, people are looking you up online. That’s why it’s imperative to remain proactive when it comes to your web presence and online reputation.
At EraseMugshots.com, we offer removal services to get rid of damaging information and help you rebuild your online reputation. We work on behalf of our clients to erase mugshots, arrest records, police reports, criminal record information and other sensitive information from the internet.
Give us a call at 866-601-6803 for a free consultation.