How to Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet

If you’ve ever Googled your name and found your mugshot staring back at you, you know the stress and embarrassment it can cause. Maybe you’re worried about the impact on your job prospects, relationships, or reputation. You just want it gone – but how?

At Minc Law, we’ve helped countless clients in your exact situation. I’m Attorney Aaron Minc, and in this complete guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of removing your mugshot from the internet for good. You’ll learn the most effective strategies, how to deal with specific sites, what to do if you hit roadblocks, and how to minimize any lasting damage.

I know how overwhelming this feels, but you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for everything you need to take back control of your online reputation.

The Dangers of Online Mugshots: Why Removal is Critical

An online mugshot might as well be a digital scarlet letter. In today’s world, these booking photos can have severe consequences even if your arrest didn’t lead to criminal charges or a conviction. Here’s why removing them needs to be a top priority:

• Job prospects: 70% of employers Google candidates before hiring. A mugshot, even for a minor offense, can raise red flags and cost you opportunities.
• Relationships: Friends, family, and romantic prospects can easily stumble upon your mugshot, leading to embarrassment, strained relationships, and a tarnished reputation.
• Mental health: The stress and shame of a publicly accessible mugshot can take a serious toll on your well-being and self-esteem. Removal is an important step in moving on.
• Presumed guilt: Unfortunately, many people assume a mugshot equals guilt, even if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. Removing the photo helps combat these unfair judgments.
• The internet is forever: Mugshots can rapidly spread to dozens of sites, so even if your record is cleared, the photo may keep popping up. Proactive removal is key to preventing long-term damage.

Remember, you’re more than your worst mistake or an unflattering photo snapped on a bad day. You have the power to reclaim your reputation and privacy. Mugshot removal is your chance for a clean digital slate.

How to Find All Websites Publishing Your Mugshot

To kick off the removal process, you first need to track down everywhere your mugshot appears online. This is the most tedious part of the process, but being thorough now will save you headaches. Here’s what to do:

1. Google yourself.
   Search for your name in quotation marks followed by keywords like “mugshot”, “arrest”, “booking photo”, etc. Check at least the first 5 pages of results. Click any mugshot photos to determine which sites are hosting them.
2. Search popular mugshot sites.
   Check site:mugshotwebsite.com for your name. Some of the most common offenders include:
   -Mugshots.com
   -Arrests.org
   -Bustedmugshots.com
   -Whosarrested.com
   -Jailbase.com
   -Mugshotsonline.com
3. Do an image search.
   Go to images.google.com, click the camera icon, and either paste in the URL of your mugshot or upload the actual photo. This will show visually similar photos, which may reveal additional sites using your mugshot.
4. Check the URLs.
   On each mugshot page, look for text like “originally published on” or “source” followed by a URL. Check those sites too, as your photo may appear there as well.
5. Use an automated tool.
   If you’re overwhelmed by the number of sites to check or want extra peace of mind, consider using a paid service like EraseMugshots.com, which will automatically scan 500+ mugshot sites for your photo.

Keep a running list of every site where your photo appears, along with the specific page URL. Organize it in a spreadsheet – you’ll need this information handy for the next steps. Finding your mugshot on multiple sites can be disheartening, but don’t lose hope. You’re taking actionable steps to get it removed.

Gathering Key Information for Your Removal Requests

Once you’ve tracked down all the mugshot sites, it’s time to compile the necessary information to request removal. The more details you can provide, the smoother the process will go. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Full legal name: Include any suffixes like Jr., Sr., III, etc.
• Date of birth
• Date of arrest
• Arresting agency: The law enforcement organization that booked you, like the county sheriff’s office or city police department.
• Booking number: This is usually shown below or near your mugshot. If you can’t find it, try contacting the arresting agency.
• Case number: This should be on any paperwork you received from the court. It may also be called a “cause number” or “docket number.”
• Charges: List out the original charges at the time of your arrest, even if they were later changed or dropped.
• Case disposition: This is the final outcome of your case – were the charges dismissed, reduced, or did you take a plea deal? If you were found not guilty or your record was expunged, mention that too.
• Links to mugshot URLs: Copy and paste the specific web address where each mugshot appears.

If you can’t track down some of these details, don’t panic. Focus on gathering as much as you can. In some cases, the arresting agency or court clerk may be able to help fill in the gaps.

Obtaining Legal Documentation

In addition to the basic details above, you’ll also want to gather any legal paperwork related to your case, especially if the charges were dropped or your record was expunged. This could include:

• Court order of dismissal
• Expungement order
• No-file letter from the prosecutor
• Proof case was sealed or restricted

Most mugshot sites will require some form of official documentation before they’ll remove your photo. If your case was dismissed or expunged, the court should be able to provide you with the appropriate paperwork.

If you’re unsure what documentation you need or where to get it, consider reaching out to the attorney who represented you in your criminal case. They should be able to point you in the right direction or may even have copies of relevant documents on file.

Submitting Mugshot Removal Requests: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’ve gathered all the necessary information, it’s time to actually submit your removal requests. This process can vary slightly from site to site, but here are the general steps:

1. Find contact information.
   Look for an email address, contact form, or DMCA agent on the mugshot website. You may need to dig into the site’s Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, or About pages. If there’s no contact info readily available, try using a WHOIS lookup tool to find the site owner’s details.
2. Craft your removal request.
   Here’s a template you can use:

   Dear [Site Owner or Removal Department],I am writing to formally request the removal of my mugshot and all associated arrest information from [URL where the mugshot is posted].

   My identifying details are:

   – Full legal name: [First and Last]

   – Date of birth: [MM/DD/YYYY]

   – Date of arrest: [MM/DD/YYYY]

   – Arresting agency: [Name of law enforcement agency]

   – Booking number: [Booking or arrest number]

   – Case number: [As shown on court documents]

   The original charges brought against me were [List charges], but the final outcome of this case was [Dismissed, Reduced, Not Guilty, Expunged, etc]. I have attached legal documentation confirming this final status.

   Accordingly, I am invoking my rights under [Your state’s mugshot laws if applicable] to have my booking photograph removed from your site. Please confirm once the removal process is complete.

   If you require any additional information to process this request, please let me know. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

   Sincerely,

   [Your Name]

   Attachments:

   [List any supporting legal documents you are including]

3. Submit your request.
   Once you’ve filled in the template, send it off to the site owner via email or copy/paste it into their removal request form. Include your legal documents as attachments.
4. Follow up.
   Make note of the date you submitted each request. If you haven’t heard back within 3-5 business days, follow up politely to ensure your request was received and is being processed.
5. Escalate if necessary.
   If the site owner is unresponsive or refusing to remove your mugshot, it’s time to consider additional options like a legal demand letter/cease-and-desist notice or filing a lawsuit. More on this later.

Some sites have streamlined removal processes and will take down your mugshot within a matter of days. Others may put up more of a fight. Don’t get discouraged if you hit some roadblocks – with persistence and the right strategies, removal is possible.

Removing Your Mugshot from Google Search Results

Even if you’re successful in getting your mugshot removed from individual websites, it may still show up in Google search results for your name. This is because Google “caches” web pages, creating a snapshot that can linger even after the original page has been updated or removed.

To remove your mugshot from Google’s search results, you’ll need to submit a request directly to the search engine. Here’s how:

1. Go to Google’s Remove Outdated Content tool. You can find it at https://search.google.com/search-console/remove-outdated-content.
2. Enter the URL of the page that previously contained your mugshot. This should be the direct link to the page, not just the general website URL.
3. Click “Request Removal.” Google will ask you to confirm that you want to remove the URL and explain why.
4. Select “The page has changed and no longer includes the content I want removed.” In the description box, explain that your mugshot has been removed from the original page but is still showing up in the cached search results.
5. Submit your request. Google will review your submission and, if approved, remove the cached mugshot from its search results. This process can take a few days to a few weeks.

Google may decline your removal request. However, it’s still worth submitting, as the search engine has been known to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, particularly for individuals who were never charged with a crime or have had their records expunged.

Suppressing Negative Search Results

If Google denies your removal request, or while you’re waiting for mugshot sites to take down your photo, you can work on suppressing the negative search results for your name. The goal is to push your mugshot off the first page of Google results by creating new, positive content that ranks higher. Here are some tactics:

• Create a personal website. Use your full name as the domain (e.g., johndoe.com) and fill it with information about your professional accomplishments, community involvement, and personal interests.
• Be active on social media. Create profiles on major platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook using your real name and a professional headshot. Post regularly about topics related to your industry or hobbies.
• Publish positive content. Write articles, blog posts, or press releases highlighting your expertise, achievements, or charitable work. Publish them on high-authority sites like Medium, Huffington Post, or industry-specific blogs.
• Optimize for your name. When creating content, use your full name strategically in the page title, headings, and body text. This will help search engines associate your name with the positive content.

Over time, these efforts can help bury your mugshot in search results, making it less likely that someone will find it when Googling your name. It’s not a perfect solution, but it can be a valuable damage control tactic while you work on getting the mugshot permanently removed.

Legal Options for Mugshot Removal

Sometimes, no matter how many removal requests you submit or how much documentation you provide, a mugshot site may refuse to comply. In these cases, it’s time to consider your legal options. An experienced mugshot removal attorney can help you navigate this process and apply additional pressure to get your photo taken down.

Sending a Legal Demand Letter

In many cases, a strongly worded letter from a lawyer is enough to get a stubborn site owner to remove your mugshot. This letter, also known as a “demand letter” or “cease-and-desist notice,” typically includes:

• Verification of your identity and the specific URLs where your mugshot appears
• Explanation of why the mugshot is illegal or violates your rights under state or federal law
• Demand for immediate removal of the photo and any associated arrest information
• Threat of legal action if the site owner does not comply within a specific timeframe, usually 5-10 business days

Receiving a demand letter from an attorney shows the mugshot site that you’re serious about protecting your rights and willing to escalate the matter if necessary. It also shifts the conversation from a casual removal request to a formal legal matter, which can spur the site owner to act more quickly.

Filing a Lawsuit

If a legal demand letter doesn’t do the trick, your next step is to consider filing a lawsuit against the mugshot website. Depending on the specific facts of your case and the laws in your state, you may be able to sue for:

• Violation of privacy rights. In some states, like California, individuals have a constitutional right to privacy that may be violated by the unauthorized publication of their mugshot.
• Defamation. If the mugshot is accompanied by false or misleading information about your arrest or criminal record, you may have a claim for defamation.
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress. If the mugshot site’s refusal to remove your photo has caused you severe emotional harm, you may be able to seek damages under this legal theory.
• Violation of mugshot laws. Several states, including California, Texas, and Illinois, have passed laws specifically aimed at curbing exploitative mugshot websites. If the site is violating your state’s mugshot law, you may be able to sue for damages and injunctive relief (a court order requiring removal of the photo).

Filing a lawsuit should be a last resort, as litigation can be time-consuming and expensive. However, in some cases, it may be the only way to get your mugshot removed and hold the website accountable for any harm caused to your reputation.

Before pursuing any legal action, it’s important to consult with an experienced mugshot removal attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you on the best course of action. They can also handle all communications with the mugshot site and their legal team, taking the stress and hassle off your plate.

Take Back Control of Your Online Reputation with Minc Law

At Minc Law, we understand the devastating impact an online mugshot can have on your life and reputation. We’ve helped over 2,500 clients remove over 50,000 pieces of unwanted online content, including mugshots, arrest records, and negative news articles. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping you take back control of your online presence and move forward with your life.

In addition to our comprehensive mugshot removal services, we offer a wide range of legal solutions to fit your unique needs and circumstances:

• Online Reputation Management: Our ORM team can help you create and promote positive online content to suppress negative search results and rebuild your digital reputation. We’ll work with you to develop a customized strategy that showcases your strengths and achievements.
• Internet Privacy Protection: If you’re concerned about your personal information being exposed online, our attorneys can help you secure your privacy and prevent doxing. We’ll identify and remove any sensitive data that may be putting you at risk.
• Defamation Lawsuit Assistance: If the mugshot website or any other online publication is spreading false or defamatory information about your arrest or criminal record, we can help you pursue legal action to clear your name and recover damages.
• Expungement and Sealing Services: Our criminal defense attorneys can assist you with getting your arrest record expunged or sealed, which can make it easier to get your mugshot removed from the internet and improve your future employment and housing prospects.
• Emotional Support Resources: We know that dealing with an online mugshot can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. That’s why we offer compassionate support and resources to help you cope with the stress and anxiety of the situation.

At Minc Law, we believe that everyone deserves a second chance and the opportunity to move forward from past mistakes. We’re here to listen to your story, explain your options, and fight tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

You Deserve a Fresh Start. We Can Help.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards mugshot removal and online reputation repair, we’re here to help.

Reach out to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation with our team by calling us at (216) 373-7706, speaking with a Chat representative, or filling out our confidential online contact form.