This article discusses why your image may appear in an online mugshot publication and how to keep it from ruining your online reputation and opportunities.
We live in an age where almost everything is available online. As a result, when we meet someone new, we almost instantly type that person’s name into a search engine to see what comes up.
During one of those searches, it’s possible that a mugshot will appear online, regardless of whether or not that person actually has a criminal record. Today, there are entire websites dedicated to finding and cataloging mug shots and arrest details without considering the harm they can do to those depicted.
This begs the question: Is this even legal?
Unfortunately, yes, in most cases, it is. In practically all cases, mug shots and arrest details are part of the public record. That means it’s completely legal for your sensitive information to appear online and be accessible to anyone who takes the time to look for it.
However, what is illegal in some states is charging to have the mugshot removed from a website. Also, depending on the age of the person in the mugshot, it may not be legal to show their booking photo publicly.
This is why it’s important to know your rights — or to work with a professional removal company that can guide you along the way.
Our content removal services will remove your criminal history record information, police booking photos and more fast. Contact us today at 866-601-6803 to learn more about dealing with sites that publish mug shots.
Business of Publishing Mug Shots
When the police or law enforcement agencies take a mugshot, it’s kept for their records. Often, the arresting police department will also upload the image to its public database, allowing anyone to access it.
Law enforcement agencies do this on purpose. It’s often believed that being able to access arrest information is crucial to community safety and transparency.
In recent years, though, multiple mugshot websites have sprung up. Sites that publish mugshots comb the internet for new arrest information from law enforcement agencies and add it to their own databases. Since the information is public record, this is within the mugshot publication’s legal rights — though it can have seriously harmful effects for those pictured.
These companies claim that they exist to protect the public. They empower people to know who they are in contact with, who they’re hiring or who lives on their block. But in reality, these companies are simply out to make money.
Mugshot sites get a lot of traffic that can be monetized through ads. Plus, they can bring in even more income by charging people to have their mug shots removed.
This can quickly become very expensive, as mugshots and arrest records can be listed in many different places. Appearing on one website makes it even more likely that your information will be on several others.
Mug Shots Stay Online
What’s even worse than having your mugshot published for anyone to see? Knowing that your booking photograph will stay online even if the judge drops your charges.
Mugshot websites don’t automatically update information as your case evolves with law enforcement. They also won’t remove your data if the judge drops your case or expunges or seals your record.
That means that even if you’ve taken steps to rectify the situation, your worst moments will remain online indefinitely.
Our online mugshot publication removal experts will analyze search engine results to find and remove your personal information and photos. Call us at 866-601-6803 for more information.
Mug Shots and Your Reputation
Even one instance of your mugshot appearing online can be enough to harm your personal and professional reputation. It doesn’t matter if the arrest was accidental, minor or dismissed. Having a mugshot on the internet creates a negative association with your name.
Employers, college admissions officers, landlords and potential dates who search for your name online will judge you based on what they find. If a mugshot shows up at the top of search results, it can completely overshadow your character, qualifications and reliable track record.
Unfortunately, websites that publish mugshots tend to rank highly in Google and other search engines. This can cause you to lose education and job opportunities, miss out on an apartment or mortgage, and even strain your personal relationships.
Everyone makes a mistake at some point, and it’s not uncommon for that mistake to lead to a mugshot. However, the most damaging part of mugshot sites is how long-lasting they are. Even if the situation is far in your past, it can feel like a present reality for those seeking out information about you online.
We work on behalf of our clients to erase mug shots, arrest records, police reports and other sensitive information from the internet. Give us a call at 866-601-6803 to learn more.
What Should You Do if Your Mugshot Is Online?
You’ve discovered your booking photo online. You’re shocked, overwhelmed and worried about how this will impact your entire life.
Here’s how to regain control of the situation and protect your digital presence.
Document Everything
Search Google for instances of your mugshot and document every one that you find. Take screenshots and write down the name of the site and the URL of your photo or profile. Also, note the date you found the data.
Having this information from the start will make it easier to request removal or work with a professional removal company.
Reference Mugshot Laws
It’s important to know the laws regulating online mugshot publication.
Some states require mugshot sites to remove images upon request, and they make it illegal for those sites to charge a fee for removal. Also, if you have expunged or sealed charges, showing proof of this should be enough to get the mugshot site owner to agree to remove the information.
Ultimately, knowing your rights ahead of time can help you build a compelling case that has a better likelihood of leading to removal.
Submit Removal Requests
Check each website where your mugshot appears to see if they have a removal request process. If they do, follow it closely — this is the best way to have your information removed.
If there isn’t a specific removal process, contact the website owner directly. Present your case and ask for removal.
If the site owner agrees to remove your information, make sure to check back after a week or so. It’s possible that you were told your information would be removed, but that no action was actually taken.
In some cases, you won’t be able to contact the website owner or get them to agree to remove your information. This is when it’s best to get legal counsel or work with a removal team that specifically deals with arrest and mugshot data.
Online reputation management companies can suppress your mugshot so it’s much less likely to show up in search results. This is often the next best option if you can’t have the data taken down completely.
Request Removal From Google
Having your mugshot removed from a website doesn’t immediately remove it from search engine results. Until Google Search updates to show the website’s most recent content, your information could still live on the search engine results page (SERP) even if it’s gone from the actual site.
That means that if someone Googles your name, they’ll still be able to see that you have a mugshot. It won’t matter if they click the link and nothing shows up – the damage will already be done.
Follow Google’s removal instructions to have your personal information removed from search results.
Hire Professional Removal Services
Managing your online reputation, especially if mughots are getting in your way, can be overwhelming and nerve-racking. Luckily, there are professional removal services that can ease the burden. They’ll also help you create the positive digital identity you deserve.
At Erase Mugshots, we understand how mugshot sites operate. We know how they get their information and the negotiation tactics that have the best chance of working to have your information removed.
By contacting site owners, referencing state laws that require compliance, and coordinating removal efforts across multiple platforms, we’re able to restore your digital presence.
And when removal isn’t possible? Our content suppression strategies are able to build a solid Google presence that doesn’t highlight your past mistakes.
While you can go about the complex and time-consuming removal process on your own, you’re likely to come up against resistance. By working with a reputable removal company like Erase Mugshots, you’ll know the situation is being handled as efficiently as possible.
At EraseMugshots.com, we offer removal services to get rid of your booking photograph, law enforcement records and other damaging information online. When a site opts to publish mugshots and arrest details online, we’ll work on your behalf to remove them from search results.
It doesn’t matter if you were found guilty, ended up in county jail or had your charges dropped. Our strategies will remove or suppress negative content from showing up on sites that publish mugshots and in Google search results.
Contact us at 866-601-6803 to learn more about restoring your digital reputation and getting rid of embarrassing mug shots.
