Why Are Mugshots Public
a) As the federal court recognizes, and as we all know, the reality is that if your picture in a mugshot is out there, regardless of whether you were convicted, it can have an unfortunate impact on your life. In most cases, the picture is just public data to which there is no right of privacy under the law.
Mugshot Lookup: How To Find Mugshots Online
August 14, 2018, 4:02 pm551.2k Views
Lets be honest: mugshots are fascinating.
Mugshots are one of the most highly searched public records.
Perhaps mugshots are so interesting because we can see the results of everyday people making poor choices. However, there are other very important reasons why a mugshot lookup might be a good idea.
Google Targets Sites Displaying Mugshots Online
Google has moved swiftly to shut down the practice of mugshot extortion. The search engine company launched a new algorithm in October 2013 that specifically targeted mugshot sites. As a result, arrest photos were removed from Google search results. While mugshots still exist online, they may no longer rank in the top results for a persons name.
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Search Public Records Websites
Public Records Searches are becoming more and more popular to find information. These sites also provide comprehensive information on people. For example, they can find other arrests, other activity, addresses, location, phones, and more.
One advantage of public records sites is that you can search for individuals with just a name. You dont need to have general geographical information, such as the city or state where the person might have been arrested or placed in prison.
How Long Does It Take For Mugshots To Appear Online
Arrest records are public records and can be obtained easily through legal and law enforcement channels. Depending on the state laws, all arrests may be legal fodder for anyone willing to troll the intake pipelines and scoop up new mugshots, arrest records, and police reports. There are dozens of reputable companies that compile this information making it easy to find someone or see a complete picture easily. However, there are other disreputable organizations like Mugshots.com who just want to profit from posting something awful about someone to get them to pay up to remove it.
Bad public records could be a potential threat for your reputation. Be sure to check it out, and if necessary, remove those public records.
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When Can Police Take Your Fingerprints In Canada
Canadas Identification of Criminals Act allows police to obtain fingerprintsFirst, a little bit about the Identification of Criminals Act. This act sets out when police are allowed to obtain these photographs, measurements and fingerprints of an accused person. Without pasting the entire piece of legislation, for the most part, it goes like this:
If you have been charged or convicted for an indictable offence , or if a police officer or court issues a notice based on you being accused of an indictable offence, you may be photographed, measured or fingerprinted.
Two main points here. The first: if youre charged or convicted with an indictable offence, barring some exemptions, you can automatically be compelled to be fingerprinted. The second allows a court or police officer to compel you, by issuing a notice, a promise to appear, a recognizance or a summons to provide your fingerprints even if you have not been charged or convicted. You simply need to be accused of a crime.
You cant just refuse to show up either. Doing so could result in you being arrested or even worse, being further charged with a failure to appear offence.
As a result, the law was upheld.
Legally speaking, the officer had a few options.
He could hold the driver and wait until Crown prosecutors would approve charges, satisfying the Act by making sure the accused was charged with an indictable offence, before demanding fingerprints from the driver.
Fingerprints, apparently.
From the decision:
How Mugshot Websites Work
Mugshot websites scrape arrest photos from county police websites and post them online. Unfortunately, these sites often rank very well, and could even fill the first page of your search engine results. As a result, you may not be able to find jobs, dates, or even apply for credit.
In the past, mugshot websites charged a hefty fee to remove arrest photos. But thanks to new laws, policies from Google, and action by credit card companies, those extortion scams are a thing of the past.
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Making A Freedom Of Information Request About The Criminal Justice System
The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request information about the criminal justice system held by public authorities, including UK police forces and prisons. You might not be supplied with the information you requested if it is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act. You can find out how to make a request here.
Police forces, prisons and other criminal justice organisations have already published some information under the Freedom of Information Act either in the normal course of business or in response to specific requests. Before making a request, check the appropriate website to see if they have already published the information you require. You can find police force websites by using the UK Police Service website. This provides links to all geographic and non-geographic police forces in the UK.
How Do I Get My Mugshot Removed From Google
Florida law now requires any private company that takes payment for removing mugshot photographs to take the mugshot down from the internet within 10 days of receiving a formal request to do so. If the company refuses, you may sue and the judge can impose a $1,000 per day fine for every day the mugshot is not removed, plus reasonable attorney fees and other court-related costs, and the company can be subject to civil suit under Floridas Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Although many websites have changed policies to avoid the law and no longer accept payment for removal, our firm may convince them to take the mugshot down. We understand the information that each site needs to remove your mugshot, which makes the process go more smoothly.
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What Agencies Keep And Maintain Records Of Arrests
As stated above, the agency that made an arrest typically keeps and maintains arrest records. In addition, the court that had jurisdiction over an arrestees criminal case may maintain copies of them.
Note, too, that the California Department of Justice is required by law to maintain records of:
- arrests,
- case dispositions, and
- peoples personal identification information.
This is true provided that a law enforcement agency or a California court provided this information to it.
Arrest records show up on background checks.
Why Is My Mugshot Still Online
Even after you go through the steps of getting your arrest expunged or sealed your mugshot may still be viewable online. This is because mugshot websites are independently managed completely outside of regular law enforcement and judicial proceedings.
The Website May Not Be Aware of the Expungement
Even though the court and police department may expunge or seal your records, independent websites may not be aware of the expungement.
The Website May Argue the Arrest is Truthful & Newsworthy
While some websites cooperate with individuals who can provide proof of expungement or sealing, others can be trickier to navigate.
Technically, arrests are public knowledge and based on truth, even if the charges are later dismissed or nothing came of the arrest. Some sites may try to argue that the former arrest is still truthful and newsworthy.
The Website Requires an Administrative Fee or Paperwork to Process the Removal
If you are struggling with a website that refuses to remove your mugshot, you may need to hire someone to assist with removal. Some websites will eventually remove mugshots if they are provided an administrative fee and proof of either expungement or sealing.
Depending on which site you are dealing with, you may need to submit extensive paperwork for the site to even consider removal.
Your Mugshot is Posted Across Multiple Websites
The best way to determine which sites are showing your arrest information or mugshots is to .
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What If The Case Was Sealed
If the case was sealed or expunged, you might be able to have the image removed free of charge. New York criminal lawyer Todd Spodek says, if you have a court order sealing the file, including mug shots, and present it to the actual website, they will have to take it down or face legal repercussions. With the case sealed or expunged, its tough for anyone to follow up and confirm the arrest.
How Can People Access Their Arrest Records
Arrest records are public records in the State of California. This means that people that were arrested for a crime have the right to look them up or access them as a matter of California law. This right is provided by:
- the Public Records Act, and
- the California Constitution.
Arrest records are normally maintained and kept by the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. This includes:
- police departments, and
- county sheriffs offices.
They may also be kept by the courthouse that hears cases in the location the arrest was made.
People can access their arrest records by contacting the applicable agency or department that made the arrest. If unavailable, then they should contact the court that had jurisdiction over the criminal case/court case for which the arrest was made.
Note that these entities may offer arrest records on their official websites.
Parties accessing their arrest record will typically have to pay a fee to obtain a copy of them, and to look them up, they may have to provide:
- their name and date of birth,
- a case number , and
- the California Penal Code section that they violated.
People can also choose to access their records by working with a third-party record collection business or website.
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Option : Mugshot Removal Services
Hiring a company that specializes in getting arrest data and mugshot images removed from search engines and the internet, such as Defamation Defenders, a Boulder, Colorado-based online reputation repair firm, and Remove-Arrests.org, is a good way to quickly clean up your arrest record and mugshot image online after an police report surfaces on web search engines like Google, Bing or DuckDuckGo.
While these services are not free, they make it quick and easy to get your arrest record and mugshot taken down from websites and removed from search engine results hence, these services can save you a lot of time and effort.
Call 272-0280 or complete the form here to talk to a content removal specialist about having your mugshot taken off search engine results, and the internet.
If you are interested in using paid solution to remove your arrest information and picture from the internet, see reviews of mugshot removal companies here first.
Can I Get Rid Of My Online Mugshot
In short, probably not. Since mugshots are public record, even with a mugshot removal lawyer, these online mugshot sites are not breaking any laws by making the mugshots available. In Illinois it is illegal to charge fees to get your mugshot removed. If you were later convicted of the crime you were arrested for, there is most likely not any way to get the mugshot removed. However, if you qualify for an expungement, it may be possible to use the expungement documents to get the site to remove the mugshot.
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S To Have Your Arrest Expunged Or Sealed
Before getting records expunged or sealed, you will need to file a motion with the appropriate court. You can increase your chances of getting your records sealed or expunged by limiting the scope of your request to only what is necessary to obtain the result you are seeking. Instead of requesting the sealing of an entire court record, you might just ask for a certain damaging portion of the record to be sealed.
For instance, if you were involved in a case regarding disability discrimination, you may just want your medical records to be sealed from public view instead of the entire court record. As part of any request, you can always request language that references the case be removed from online websites.
For a more detailed look at expungement and sealing, read our article, How to Remove Court Records From the Internet. In that post, we explain how to use expungement and sealing as a tool to get online court records removed to restore your reputation.
Try Smartphone Or Tablet Apps
Several mugshot apps are available for Android or iOS. As always, not all apps are created equal.
One such app is called VINEMobile. Intended for victims of crimes, VINEMobile allows users to look up jailed individuals and get notified in the change of custody status of certain offenders.
Beware of mobile charges!
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Can I Get Rid Of Online Mugshots
- Criminal Law
- Can I Get Rid of Online Mugshots?
Mugshots are public records. This means that they are not private and anyone can request a mugshot. Many websites have been created to give people quick access to mugshots. People have found that after an arrest their mugshot is available online for public viewing. This can result in embarrassment, and for some, loss of employment opportunities. Which is why some folks go out looking for a mugshot removal lawyer.
What Can I Do If There Is Inaccurate Information On My Dbs Certificate
Your right to access does not cover criminal records checks for employment purposes, known as a DBS check . If a criminal records check is required for your work then your employer should explain how to apply for this appropriately.
If you have any concerns about the accuracy of personal data on your DBS certificate, you can raise this with the DBS. This could include incorrect personal details, incorrect conviction information or other discrepancies.
If the inaccuracy relates to an offence you did not commit, this would have to be raised with the local police force. If you are concerned about an entry in the Police National Computer record, you will have to raise this with ACRO.
For support and advice on criminal records, contact Unlock or NACRO.
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What You Should Bring
When you show up at the police station, wear suitable clothing. There is no need to be in your Sunday best. Instead, we recommend that you wear casual or wrinkle resistant clothing. It may take some time for you to go through the formal booking process, so you want to be comfortable. Avoid bringing unnecessary clothing items, such as extra clothes, ties, scarves, or accessories. We also do not recommend that you bring jewelry not even a wedding ring.
After you cross the jail lobby, you should have only those items that are necessary for your processing, such as your drivers license or other federally issued photo identification to confirm your identification. Avoid bringing unnecessary items with you, such as cell phones or personal data assistants.
As part of the booking process, you will be searched. Items may be confiscated if they are considered contraband, such as:
- Pocket knives
The Business Of Mug Shots
In recent years, more than a dozen states have enacted laws to limit posting mug shots online. Measures include prohibiting publishing mug shots online altogether, prohibiting charging to take the photos down, and limiting access of mug shots in the private sector. But in states that don’t have such laws, once a mug shot becomes public record, any number of for-profit websites can grab the photos and post them for public view. Even local newspapers generate traffic by publishing photos on their websites.
A simple Google search of someones name may return links to these mug shot sites along with the image appearing at the top of the results. Even if the person wasnt charged with a crime, was found not guilty, or had their records sealed, the images still appear.
The problem is much larger than a single website. Because mug shot images are uploaded to a searchable database, theres no limit on how many websites could publish the photos. This problem gave birth to a complementary business that some critics say might be as shady as the sites that publish the mug shots.
Contacting all of the websites directly may be daunting, but you can simply pay one company to remove the images for you. Costs range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on how many websites publish the mugshot. One removal site is Erasemugshots.com. It claims that its service is 100% guaranteed and mug shots will be removed in as little as 72 hours.
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How Do Mugshot Websites Work
All criminal matters typically become public record. This means criminal records, court records, and even mugshots are released to the public.
However, some states and local governments have different laws on mugshots. For example, if criminal charges are not filed then a mugshot may not be available. In addition, if the criminal record is sealed or the mugshot is of a minor, you probably wont find it anywhere.