Getting arrested is bad enough. Seeing your mugshot show up on website after website makes it worse. These sites grab public records and post your photo with your name, charges, and arrest date. Some do it for traffic. Others charge money to remove it.
It’s frustrating, unfair, and can hurt your job search, dating life, and peace of mind. But you’re not powerless.
Dig Deeper: How to Remove Court Records from Google Search
Why Mugshots Show Up Everywhere
1. Mugshots Are Public Records
Most mugshots come from police departments or sheriff’s offices. Once taken, they become part of the public record. Websites can legally copy and repost them unless state laws say otherwise.
2. Mugshot Sites Multiply Fast
There are hundreds of mugshot websites. Once your photo appears on one, it often gets copied onto others. Many of them scrape from the same sources.
A single arrest can end up listed on 5 to 10 sites within days. Some even have sister sites that automatically repost the same photos under different names.
3. Search Engines Index Them
If a mugshot site has decent SEO, your photo can appear near the top of Google search results. That means anyone who Googles your name might see your worst moment first.
4. Pay-for-Removal Scams
Some sites charge hundreds of dollars to “take down” your photo. Others claim to offer removal, then repost it elsewhere. Some states, like California and Florida, have laws banning these tactics, but not all do.
Step-by-Step: How to Fight Back
1. Start With a Name Search
Search your name in Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Use quotes: “John A. Smith”. Look through the first 3 pages. Make a list of any site showing your mugshot. Note the URLs.
2. Use the Site’s Removal Request Form
Some sites have an official way to request removal. These may ask for court documents showing your charges were dropped, dismissed, or expunged. Submit the form and save proof of your submission.
If you were convicted, some sites will not remove the photo. Still, it’s worth trying.
3. Send a Legal Threat (If Applicable)
In states with mugshot laws, like Oregon or Texas, posting your mugshot for profit may be illegal. If you live in one of these states, send a cease and desist letter. Or work with a lawyer who handles mugshot takedowns.
Even if there’s no law, you can sometimes argue that the photo is outdated, misleading, or harming your reputation unfairly.
4. Submit Removal Requests to Google
If a mugshot site shows your full name, photo, charges, and personal information (like your address or ID number), you may qualify for removal under Google’s privacy policy.
Go to Google’s content removal form and choose the option for “removal of personal info.”
5. Suppress the Image With Positive Content
This doesn’t delete the mugshot, but it helps push it down in search results. The goal is to bury it under more positive or neutral links.
Create and optimize these pages:
- A personal website using your name (yourfullname.com)
- LinkedIn profile with professional keywords
- Medium articles or blog posts
- Guest posts on industry blogs
- Press releases or interviews
Use your full name consistently across all pages. Share the links to boost authority. Over time, these pages will outrank the mugshot site.
6. Use a Reputation Management Service
If this feels overwhelming, companies like Top Shelf Reputation can help. They handle mugshot removal, SEO suppression, and ongoing monitoring.
They know which sites respond to legal pressure, which ones don’t, and how to make the image harder to find.
How Long Does Removal Take?
- Some sites remove mugshots within a few days.
- Others never reply or take weeks.
- Google image updates can take 2 to 6 weeks after removal.
The full process may take a month or more. Suppression takes longer, depending on your content and how strong the mugshot link is in search results.
What If the Mugshot Is from Years Ago?
Many mugshots stay online even if the case was dismissed or sealed. These sites don’t always update their records.
If the mugshot is old, try the same removal and suppression steps. If it’s outdated and legally sealed, you may have a stronger case for removal.
Are There Laws to Protect You?
Yes, but it depends on where you live.
- California, Texas, Utah, and Oregon have laws against pay-to-remove practices.
- Georgia requires sites to take down mugshots if charges were dropped or dismissed.
- In New York, mugshots are no longer automatically public.
The laws vary a lot by state. You can check your attorney general’s site or talk to a lawyer for help.
Final Tips and Recommendations
- Don’t pay shady sites directly. It can lead to more exposure or repeat listings.
- Document every request. Save emails, form submissions, and screenshots.
- Monitor your name regularly. Use tools like Google Alerts to catch new listings.
The faster you act, the easier it is to limit the spread.
Last Thought
No one wants their mugshot to define them. Even if it shows up on multiple websites, there are ways to fight back. With some effort, and possibly some expert help, you can push it down or get it removed. Your past shouldn’t control your future.
If you’re feeling stuck, remember that help exists. Top Shelf Reputation has helped hundreds of people clean up their search results. You don’t have to figure this out alone.