What happens to a mugshot once it's online
When you're arrested, the mugshot becomes a public record. Local police departments, sheriff's offices, and court systems keep these photos as part of their official files. But the photo itself — your face, your name, the charges — gets picked up by mugshot websites, which are private companies that scrape public records and republish them for profit.
These sites make money by charging you to remove your own photo. They don't own the image; they just host it and control whether it appears in search results. Removing a mugshot from the internet means dealing with three separate problems: the original public record (which you usually cannot delete), the mugshot aggregator sites (which you can sometimes pressure into removing it), and search engines (which stop showing the link if the page disappears).
The process is slow and often costs money, but it is possible. What works depends on whether your case was dismissed, whether you were convicted, and how much time you have to spend on it.
Key Takeaways
- Mugshot websites profit by hosting arrest photos and charging people to remove them; they are not government sites and have no legal obligation to delete your image.
- You can request removal directly from mugshot sites, but most will only do it if you pay a fee or if the underlying arrest record was expunged or sealed.
- If your case was dismissed or you were acquitted, you may be able to petition the court to seal or expunge the record, which gives you stronger grounds for removal requests.
- Search engines like Google will remove links to mugshot pages if you submit a removal request and prove the record was sealed or expunged, or if you can show the site is violating your state's laws.
- Some states have passed laws restricting what mugshot sites can charge or requiring them to remove images under certain conditions; check your state's laws before paying anyone.
Understand which mugshot sites are hosting your image
Start by searching your name plus "mugshot" in Google. Write down every site that shows your photo in the results. Common mugshot aggregators include Mugshots.com, JailBase, BustedMugshots, and dozens of smaller regional sites. Each one operates independently, so you will need to contact them separately.
Some sites let you search their database for free and show you whether your image is there. Others hide behind paywalls or require you to create an account. The goal at this stage is straightforward to know which sites are hosting your photo so you can target your removal requests.
Keep a spreadsheet with the site name, the URL where your photo appears, and the date you first contacted them. This record matters if you need to escalate or if you decide to hire someone to handle the removals.
Request removal directly from the mugshot sites
Most mugshot websites have a removal process, though they bury the link. Look for "Remove My Photo," "Removal Request," or "Contact Us" at the bottom of the page. Some sites offer free removal if your case was dismissed or expunged; others charge a fee regardless.
When you contact a site, include your full name, the URL of your mugshot, and a brief explanation of why it should be removed. If your case was dismissed, acquitted, or expunged, say that explicitly and offer to provide court documents as proof. Be specific: "Case dismissed on [date]" is stronger than "I was innocent."
Expect slow responses. Many sites take weeks to reply, and some do not respond at all unless you follow up multiple times. If a site charges a fee and you cannot afford it, ask whether they offer fee waivers for dismissed cases or financial hardship. Some do; most do not.
Petition to seal or expunge your record if your case was dismissed
If you were arrested but the case was dismissed, you were acquitted, or the charges were dropped, you have the right to petition the court to seal or expunge the record. Sealing means the record still exists but is hidden from public view. Expungement means the record is destroyed or treated as if it never happened. The exact process and terminology varies by state and by type of charge.
Contact the courthouse where your case was handled. Ask for the clerk's office and request the forms for record sealing or expungement. Some courts have these forms online; others require you to visit in person or mail a request. You will need your case number, which should be on any paperwork you received from the court.
Filing the petition is usually free or costs under $100. The court will review your request and either grant it or deny it. Once the record is sealed or expunged, you have a much stronger legal basis to demand removal from mugshot sites. Many sites will remove the image when ready once you provide a copy of the court order.
Submit removal requests to Google and other search engines
Even if a mugshot site refuses to delete your photo, you can ask Google to stop showing the link in search results. Google has a removal tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/removal-request that lets you request that a specific URL be delisted.
Google is more likely to approve your request if you can show that the underlying record was sealed or expunged, or if you can demonstrate that the mugshot site is violating your state's laws. Some states, including California and Florida, have passed laws restricting what mugshot sites can charge or requiring them to remove images under certain conditions. If your state has such a law, mention it in your removal request.
You will need a Google account and will have to verify that you own or represent the website (if you are requesting removal of your own image, you may need to explain your relationship to it). The process takes a few days to a few weeks. Once approved, the link will stop appearing in Google search results, though the page itself will still exist on the mugshot site.
Know the laws in your state
Several states have passed laws that restrict mugshot websites or give you stronger grounds for removal. California's law requires sites to remove images within 30 days if the case was dismissed or if you request removal and the site cannot prove a "legitimate public interest" in keeping it. Florida requires removal if the arrest did not result in a conviction. New York requires sites to remove images if you were acquitted or if the charges were dismissed.
Other states have no specific laws about mugshot sites, which means the sites can charge whatever they want and are under no legal obligation to remove your image. Check your state's attorney general website or search "[your state] mugshot removal law" to see whether your state has protections.
If your state has a law in your favor, cite it in your removal requests. Sites are more likely to comply if they know you understand the legal requirement. If your state has no law, your options are more limited: you can still request removal, but the site can refuse, and you have little legal recourse.
Decide whether to hire a removal service
Companies exist that will handle mugshot removal for you, typically charging $200 to $1,000 depending on how many sites are hosting your image. They contact the sites on your behalf, request removal, and follow up if the sites do not respond. Some also monitor search results to make sure the image stays removed.
The advantage is that you do not have to spend weeks contacting sites yourself. The disadvantage is cost and the fact that these services cannot force a site to remove your image — they can only ask. If a site refuses and your case was not dismissed or expunged, a removal service cannot do anything a lawyer could not do.
Before hiring a removal service, check whether your state has laws that might make removal free or easier. If your case was dismissed and your state requires removal, you should not have to pay. If you do decide to hire someone, verify they are legitimate: check reviews, ask for references, and make sure they have a physical address and phone number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a mugshot website for posting my photo?
In most states, no. Mugshot websites argue they are republishing public records, which are protected speech. You would need to show that the site is breaking a specific state law or that it is defaming you (claiming false facts about you, not just posting the photo). Consult a lawyer in your state if you believe you have a case, but most mugshot removal happens through direct requests, not lawsuits.
What if I was convicted? Can I still get my mugshot removed?
It depends on your state and the site. If you were convicted, most mugshot sites will not remove the image voluntarily, and most state laws do not require removal for convictions. Your best option is to contact the sites directly and ask; some will remove images as a courtesy or for a fee. Search your state's laws to see if there are any exceptions for certain types of convictions or sentences.
How long does it take to get a mugshot removed?
If you contact sites directly, expect two to eight weeks for a response, and longer if you need to follow up. If you petition the court to seal or expunge your record, that process can take one to six months depending on your state and how busy the court is. Once you have a court order, removal from mugshot sites usually happens within two to four weeks.
Will my mugshot come back if I search for it later?
If the mugshot site deletes the image, it will not reappear in Google search results. However, if the site keeps the image but you only removed it from Google's index, the page still exists — someone could find it if they searched the site directly or if they used a different search engine. True removal means the site deletes the image entirely.
Do I have to pay to remove my mugshot?
Not necessarily. If your case was dismissed, expunged, or sealed, many sites will remove the image for free once you provide proof. If your state has a mugshot removal law, the site may be required to remove it at no cost. If neither applies, the site can charge a fee, and you have to decide whether to pay or pursue other options like hiring a removal service or consulting a lawyer.