mugshots com
Mugshots.com: What It Is, Why It Exists, and the Problems Around It
Mugshots.com is a massive online database that collects and publishes arrest records and booking photos from law enforcement agencies across the United States. It claims to be a public information search engine — a tool for transparency. In reality, it sits at the center of a messy debate about privacy, extortion, and the limits of free speech online.
What Mugshots.com Actually Does
Mugshots.com scrapes arrest data and booking photographs from government websites, police departments, and public databases. Then it republishes that information in one central searchable site. You can type in a name, and if that person was ever booked in a participating jurisdiction, their photo and arrest record may appear.
The site lists categories by state. Florida has over 10 million records. Texas more than five million. It’s a scale few other sites match. Each entry usually includes the person’s name, date, charge details, and booking photo.
Mugshots.com markets itself as a “search engine for true crime stories and criminal records.” But this description hides the real function: it turns government data into easily accessible profiles, all indexed by search engines like Google. That means a single arrest, even if it never leads to conviction, can follow someone for years.
How the Business Model Became Controversial
At one point, Mugshots.com and several similar websites offered “removal” or “unpublishing” services. Someone who found their photo online could pay hundreds of dollars to have it taken down. This led to accusations that the company was exploiting people’s fear and embarrassment for profit.
In 2018, California prosecutors charged four men connected to the site — Sahar Sarid, Kishore Vidya Bhavnanie, Thomas Keesee, and David Usdan — with extortion, money laundering, and identity theft. Authorities argued that Mugshots.com posted people’s arrest information and then demanded money to remove it, even if charges were dropped or the person was acquitted.
The California Attorney General called it a “cyber extortion” scheme. People who couldn’t pay the fee were stuck. Their photos stayed online, often ranking high on Google searches for their names.
The defendants denied wrongdoing and said they were operating a news organization protected by the First Amendment. Still, in 2025, three of them accepted plea deals, received probation, and were ordered to pay restitution.
Why It Matters
The existence of a mugshot site like this isn’t illegal by itself. Mugshots are public records in most states. But how those records are handled is what matters.
The problem comes when these photos appear online without context. Arrest doesn’t mean guilt, yet mugshots create a powerful visual impression. Once a person’s face appears in a “crime” search result, it’s almost impossible to undo that association. Employers, landlords, and potential partners can all see it instantly.
Before the internet, arrest records were technically public but difficult to access. You had to visit a courthouse or sheriff’s office. Mugshots.com changed that. It made everything searchable from a phone in seconds. That convenience also made it easier for inaccurate or outdated information to harm someone permanently.
The Legal Landscape Around Mugshots
Courts have treated mugshot publishing as a gray area. Public record laws vary by state, and while many allow disclosure of arrest information, some restrict republication for profit.
In 2017, a federal judge allowed a class-action lawsuit against Mugshots.com to move forward, finding that people could sue if their images were being used for commercial purposes without consent. Several states — including Oregon, Utah, and Georgia — passed laws banning websites from charging fees to remove mugshots. Ohio made it a misdemeanor to accept payment for removal.
Despite these changes, enforcement remains difficult. Many mugshot sites register their domains offshore or operate under shell companies. Even when shut down, new clones appear quickly.
Mugshots.com itself now claims it no longer charges for removals and describes itself as a news outlet. But the damage to its reputation lingers.
The Human Impact
The effect on people whose mugshots appear online is not theoretical. It’s measurable. A 2020 University of Michigan study found that 42% of employers searched job candidates’ names online, and 22% rejected applicants after finding negative results.
Imagine being arrested for a minor offense — maybe a traffic violation or a misunderstanding — and having your booking photo appear online within hours. Even if charges are dropped, that image stays visible. Years later, it might still show up before your professional achievements or personal website.
Victims of this system often report harassment, job loss, and mental health strain. For some, it’s a form of public shaming with no clear way out.
The Ethics of Public Records
There’s a legitimate argument for transparency. Journalists and researchers rely on public records to hold power accountable. But there’s a difference between investigative reporting and indiscriminate posting of booking photos.
Public access is meant to ensure fairness in the justice system, not to create permanent online humiliation. Mugshots.com sits right in that tension. It exposes how easily “open data” can be weaponized when context and due process are ignored.
Critics say the site turns government transparency into private profit. Supporters argue that removing mugshots from public view could hide criminal behavior. Both sides raise valid points, but the imbalance of harm is clear. A mistaken arrest can stain a life far more than a public record ever benefits society.
Common Misunderstandings About Mugshots.com
Many people assume that being listed on the site means a conviction. It doesn’t. Mugshots are taken at booking — the point of arrest, not after trial.
Another common mistake is thinking the site automatically removes old or expunged records. It doesn’t, at least not consistently. If your case was dismissed or sealed, you might still appear unless you request removal or your state law forces compliance.
Some users also believe Mugshots.com is an official government site. It isn’t. It’s privately owned, and its data collection is independent from any police agency.
What To Do If Your Photo Appears There
First, confirm the status of your case. If charges were dropped, or the record was expunged, gather documentation. Some states require sites to remove records in those situations.
Next, contact the site using its published form. Even if it no longer charges removal fees, the process can be slow. If there’s no response, you may need to file a complaint with your state attorney general or a consumer protection agency.
If you can’t get the photo removed, try to suppress its visibility. Publishing accurate, positive content — social media profiles, personal websites, professional pages — can push the mugshot lower in search results. It’s not perfect, but it’s something.
The Future of Mugshot Publishing
The debate over sites like Mugshots.com isn’t going away. Technology keeps making public data easier to aggregate, and privacy laws struggle to keep pace.
Google itself took steps years ago to de-index mugshot websites from its search results unless they met specific removal policies. That reduced their visibility but didn’t eliminate the problem.
As AI-driven search grows, the question becomes sharper: should outdated or misleading arrest data appear in automated answers about a person’s name? Regulators and search platforms will eventually need to set clear boundaries on what counts as legitimate public interest versus digital exploitation.
FAQ
What is Mugshots.com used for?
It’s an online database that collects and republishes arrest records and booking photos from law enforcement sources across the United States.
Is it legal for them to post my photo?
Usually yes, because mugshots are public records. But charging for removal or failing to update information after expungement can violate state laws.
How can I get my mugshot removed?
Start by confirming your case outcome and using the site’s contact form. If it doesn’t work, contact your state attorney general or check if your state has a mugshot removal statute.
Does Mugshots.com still charge removal fees?
As of recent updates, the site claims it no longer accepts payments for removal. Past lawsuits, however, centered on that practice.
Why is this a problem if the information is public?
Because online indexing changes the impact. A record that once required a trip to a courthouse now lives permanently at the top of a Google search, often without context or correction.
Mugshots.com shows how public data, once digitized and monetized, can drift far from its original purpose. It’s a reminder that “public” doesn’t always mean fair — and that the line between information and exploitation can be surprisingly thin.
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