Since mugshots are public records, you may find your portrait plastered all over the internet after being arrested and suspected of being involved in a crime. There is no doubt that your mugshot can be embarrassing and will severely damage your image and future job opportunities, particularly if you’re not involved in the criminal act.
Even if the charges against you were dropped and you were finally found not guilty, your mugshots will still be on the internet, so anyone can see them anytime. Don’t let it! You’ll have to take your actions to get rid of your negative image by removing your mugshots from the Internet. If you want to know how to do so, let’s find the guide below!
Can You Remove Your Mugshots from the Internet for Free?
When it comes to mugshot removal for free, you can really do it—many websites really offer it. However, removing your mugshots from the internet can be a challenging task, even less it’s free. And, keep in mind that these can only remove mugshots from their search results, which means your mugshots may still appear on other websites.
Interestingly! Even if you pay an agency to remove your mugshot from the internet, they may not be able to do so completely since your mugshot can still appear on several different websites—a result of online companies taking advantage of this situation.
If you really want your mugshot to disappear completely from the internet, you may consider hiring a mugshot removal attorney, but it can cost you a lot. They will usually write a letter requesting the mugshot’s removal and explaining the legal consequences of leaving the mugshot online. The letter will be sent to the registered agent or agency that published your photo, via registered mail, with proof why it should be removed.
4 Methods to Remove Your Mugshots from the Internet for Free
Even though removing your mugshot that has been plastered all over the internet is such a hard-to-do task, you don’t give up since it concerns the negative image of your life both now and in the future. However, your mugshot extremely implies that you are associated with some criminal acts, even though you’re not.
Thankfully! You can take advantage of the following methods to try and get your mugshot removed for free:
Method 1: Use Google’s removal request tool
If your mugshot is plastered on Google search results, you can use Google’s removal request tool to remove your mugshot from Google search results. This tool is totally free, but it will only remove your mugshot from its search results if it violates their policies.
You should note that your mugshot may still appear on other websites that are not controlled by Google. Thus, requesting mugshot removal from Google can be a great first step, though it may not be a complete solution for you.
Method 2: Use mugshots.com
Today, there are a number of mugshot removal services that specialize in removing your mugshot from the internet. Some of them are free, while others will charge a fee. Of course, you may need to do some research to find a reputable company that can help you remove your mugshot, but they can do it for free.
Thanks to mugshots.com’s services, you can work with them to remove your mugshots for free. Beforehand, you need to provide documents proving that you have never been convicted of a crime or removal documents showing your crime is now sealed.
To get these documents, you’ll have to provide various documents to prove you’re not involved in a criminal act as detailed as possible. Of course, you need to petition the courts for a Certificate of Innocence.
To make a mugshot removal request, you can fill out a contact form that can be found on mugshots.com, including your name, your address, your phone number, your email address, and a message about your problem.
In the message, you will need to try to be nice and make sure not to be aggressive since not all states have a legal obligation to remove your mugshot. After all forms are filled out, you can send an email to their legal address at Pictures@Mugshots.com. Don’t forget to attach your legal documents, as we’ve mentioned earlier. Check your email back between 7-10 days to see if your mugshot has been removed.
Method 3: Contact the website owner
If you find your mugshot posted on a website that specializes in publishing it, you have to contact the owner of the website and try to request that your mugshot be removed. Make sure to be polite but firm when making a request.
To do so, you can access their “contact us” page and see what methods to use to reach them, either via email, phone call, or facsimile. Whatever methods you choose, you’ll have to provide evidence, such as a court order, that the charges against you have been dismissed or dropped. Furthermore, you can also try to explain that your mugshot appearing on their website really causes you harm and distress.
It’s important to note that if the website owner removes your mugshot, it will actually be taken off of the page, meaning it’s not suppressed by one search engine. Of course, your mugshot that is still available on another website may still exist in a search engine result.
Method 4: Contact the publisher
If you find your mugshot appearing on a news outlet, you may have to contact the publisher and make a request for your mugshot’s removal. Just like other methods, you have to provide evidence stating the charges against you have been dropped and you’re not involved in a criminal act.
Okay, these are four methods you can take to remove your mugshot from the internet for free. Make sure to try one of them or more of them to make sure your mugshot has been successfully removed from the website or publisher that has posted your mugshot.
Is There a Way to Truly Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet?
Of course, yes! There is another option you can take to truly remove your mugshot from the Internet, i.e., the process of expunging or sealing your record. However, this way may be more difficult but yield higher yields.
This method will require that the crime you committed fall within the scope of elimination laws, which typically cover misdemeanors and other non-violent or sexual crimes. The expungement usually requires that a certain amount of time has passed since the conviction or incident in which the defendant has not been convicted of any other criminal offenses.
If you take this method, you may need to file a petition with the court where you can ask for the arrest record and other records to be removed or sealed. If you succeed, you can send the order of expungement to the website that published the mugshot.
Usually, the website’s own rules may state that it will remove your mugshot in such a situation, or the website may do so as a matter of business practice, acknowledging that it will be preferable to remove your negative image.
In fact, several states may require that the website remove the mugshot when provided with this evidence, e.g., New York. In addition, you can also ask for a court order mandating that your mugshot be removed.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
