How to Remove Mugshots from the Internet

Mugshot websites profit from your worst day. Here's how to fight back and get your photos taken down.

If you've ever been arrested, there's a good chance your mugshot is on the internet right now. It doesn't matter if the charges were dropped, dismissed, or you were found not guilty. Mugshot websites don't care about outcomes. They publish the photo and your booking information, and they make sure it ranks high in Google when someone searches your name.

This can be devastating for your career, your housing search, and your personal relationships. But you're not powerless. Mugshot removal is possible, and in many cases, it's free. This guide explains how the mugshot industry works and walks you through the removal process step by step.

How Mugshot Websites Work

Mugshot sites operate by scraping arrest records from county jails, sheriffs' offices, and state booking databases. These records are public under most state open records laws, which means anyone can access and republish them. Mugshot websites exploit this by building massive databases of booking photos and personal information.

These sites make money in two ways. Some run advertising against the high traffic they generate. Others run a more predatory model: they charge fees to remove your photo, often hundreds of dollars. You pay, the photo comes down, and then a sister site owned by the same company publishes it again. This cycle has drawn the attention of lawmakers across the country.

Why Mugshots Rank So High in Google

Mugshot sites are built for search engine optimization. They create individual pages for every arrested person, optimized with your full name, city, and state. Because these sites have been around for years and have millions of pages, Google considers them authoritative sources. A mugshot page can outrank your LinkedIn profile, your business website, and everything else positive about you.

State Laws That Protect You

The good news is that the legal landscape has shifted dramatically in your favor. Over 20 states have passed laws restricting mugshot websites, and more legislation is in progress.

States with Strong Mugshot Removal Laws

Many states now require mugshot websites to remove your photo for free within a set timeframe (often 30 days) if you meet certain conditions. These conditions typically include:

States with notable mugshot laws include California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Virginia, among others. Check your state's specific statute for exact requirements.

Even Without a State Law

If your state hasn't passed a mugshot removal law, you still have options. Many mugshot sites have removal policies even in states without legislation, because payment processors like Visa and Mastercard have cracked down on sites that charge for removal. Google has also updated its policies to allow removal requests for certain exploitative content.

Step-by-Step Mugshot Removal Process

Step 1: Document Every Site That Has Your Mugshot

Before you start submitting removal requests, do a thorough search to find every site that has your photo. Search your name in quotes along with terms like "mugshot," "arrest," "booking," and your county name. Check Google Images as well. Make a list of every URL where your mugshot appears.

Step 2: Gather Your Legal Documentation

Most sites require proof that your case was resolved favorably. Gather the following documents:

Step 3: Submit Removal Requests to Each Site

Visit each mugshot website and look for their removal or "unpublish" page. Common locations include the footer, a "Contact" page, or a link on your actual mugshot page. Submit your documentation and request removal. Keep records of every submission, including dates and confirmation numbers.

Step 4: Follow Up After 30 Days

Most state laws give websites 30 days to comply. If the mugshot hasn't been removed after that period, follow up with a second request. Reference the specific state law that applies and note that you've documented the original request date.

Step 5: Request Removal from Google Search Results

Even after a mugshot site removes your page, the cached version may linger in Google's index for weeks. Speed this up by using Google's URL removal tool in Google Search Console, or submit a removal request through Google's "Remove Information" page. You can request removal of pages that no longer exist or that contain personal information. You should also opt out of data broker sites that may be republishing your arrest information.

Step 6: Monitor for Reposting

Unfortunately, some mugshot sites share data. Your photo may appear on a new site weeks after you got it removed from another. Set up Google Alerts for your name plus "mugshot" and "arrest" so you're notified if the image resurfaces.

When Removal Is Free vs. Paid

Here's a critical distinction. If a mugshot site demands payment to remove your photo and your state has a mugshot removal law, that demand may be illegal. Many states specifically prohibit charging for removal when charges were resolved in your favor.

However, if you have a conviction on record and your state doesn't have a removal law, some sites will only remove your mugshot for a fee. Before paying, consider whether pursuing expungement or record sealing first might be a better investment. Our background check guide explains what else employers see beyond mugshot sites. Once you have an expungement order, most sites will remove the mugshot for free.

Be extremely cautious of third-party "reputation repair" companies that promise mugshot removal for thousands of dollars. Many of these companies simply submit the same free removal requests you could send yourself.

Find Out Which Sites Have Your Mugshot

Manually searching dozens of mugshot websites is exhausting. A FixMyRecord scan checks the major mugshot and arrest record sites automatically and shows you exactly where your booking photo appears online.

Run Your Free Scan

You Have More Power Than You Think

The mugshot industry relies on people feeling helpless. They count on the shame and urgency of wanting a photo removed to drive payments. But the law is catching up, and the tools available to you are better than ever. Whether you handle this yourself or use a service to speed things up, don't let a mugshot from your past control your future. You have every right to fight back. Start with our complete online reputation cleanup guide for a full action plan.