How to Remove Mugshots from the Internet: Delete Booking Photos, Arrest Records, and Mugshot Images in 2026

A mugshot on the internet can destroy your career, relationships, and reputation in seconds. Even if charges were dropped, dismissed, or you were found not guilty, your booking photo can haunt you on dozens of websites and appear on the first page of Google when someone searches your name. Whether you want to remove mugshots, delete arrest photos, erase booking images, or get your mugshot taken down from Google, this guide covers every proven method.

Whether your mugshot appears on dedicated mugshot websites, county jail databases, news articles, or Google Images, there are proven strategies to get it removed. We cover state laws that mandate removal, direct website takedown requests, Google mugshot removal tools, legal options, expungement, and professional mugshot deletion services that handle the entire process for you.

Table of Contents

• Why Are Mugshots Online in the First Place?
• Where Do Mugshots Appear Online?
• Method 1: Check Your State's Mugshot Removal Laws
• Method 2: Contact Mugshot Websites Directly
• Method 3: Remove Mugshots from Google Search Results
• Method 4: Request Removal from County and State Databases
• Method 5: Get Arrest Records Expunged or Sealed
• Method 6: Remove Mugshots from News Articles
• Method 7: Legal Action Against Mugshot Websites
• Method 8: Hire a Professional Mugshot Removal Service
• How to Suppress Mugshots You Cannot Remove
• Mugshot Removal Scams to Avoid
• FAQ

Why Are Mugshots Online? (And Why They Are So Hard to Delete)

In most US states, mugshots are public records. When someone is arrested, their booking photo becomes part of the public record, which means anyone can access it. This system was designed for transparency, but it has been exploited by an entire industry of mugshot websites that publish arrest photos and then charge fees for removal.

Here is how mugshots end up spread across the internet:

• County and state databases: Many law enforcement agencies publish arrest records and mugshots on their official websites as part of public records obligations.
• Mugshot aggregator websites: Sites like Mugshots.com, BustedMugshots, and dozens of others scrape public records databases and republish mugshots. Many of these sites historically charged removal fees.
• News websites: Local news outlets often publish mugshots alongside crime reporting. These articles are indexed by Google and can appear in search results for years.
• Background check services: Companies like BeenVerified, Spokeo, and TruthFinder index public records including mugshots and make them searchable.
• Social media: Mugshots are sometimes shared on social media platforms, creating additional copies that spread independently.

Where Do Mugshots Appear Online?

Before you start the removal process, you need to know exactly where your mugshot appears. Here is how to conduct a thorough audit:

1. Google your full name in quotes. Check the first 5 pages of results and the Images tab.
2. Search variations of your name (middle name, maiden name, nicknames) combined with your city or state.
3. Search "[your name] mugshot" and "[your name] arrest" directly.
4. Check major mugshot websites directly: search your name on known mugshot aggregator sites.
5. Run a background check on yourself using a service like BeenVerified or TruthFinder to see what employers and landlords see.
6. Set up Google Alerts for your name to catch any new appearances.

Document every URL where your mugshot appears. You will need this list as you work through the removal methods below.

Method 1: Check Your State's Mugshot Removal Laws

As of 2026, at least 18 states have enacted laws that restrict mugshot websites or mandate removal under certain conditions. These laws are your most powerful free tool.

States with Mugshot Removal or Restriction Laws:

If you live in one of these states, send a written removal request to the mugshot website citing the specific statute. Include proof that charges were dropped, dismissed, expunged, or resulted in a not guilty verdict if required by your state's law. Most websites will comply within the legally mandated timeframe to avoid penalties.

Method 2: Contact Mugshot Websites Directly

Many mugshot websites have removal request processes. Some are free, while others historically charged fees (which is now illegal in many states). Here is how to approach them:

Step-by-Step Removal Request:

1. Find the contact page or removal request form on the website.
2. Provide your full name, the URL of your mugshot page, and your date of arrest.
3. Include documentation of your case outcome (dismissal, acquittal, expungement, etc.).
4. If your state has a mugshot removal law, cite the specific statute.
5. Request confirmation of removal in writing.
6. Follow up if you do not receive a response within 14 days.

What to Do If They Demand Payment:

• Check if your state prohibits charging for mugshot removal. If so, cite the law and inform them of potential penalties.
• File a complaint with your state attorney general's office.
• Report the site to Google for violating their policies on exploitative content.
• Consider hiring a professional removal service that can negotiate or use legal pressure.

Method 3: Delete Mugshots from Google Search Results

Even if the mugshot still exists on the original website, you can request Google to remove it from search results. Google has specific policies for removing exploitative content.

Google's Content Removal Options:

• Outdated Content Removal: Use Google's outdated content removal tool if the mugshot page has been taken down from the source website but still appears in Google results.
• Personal Information Removal: Google allows removal of content that could cause significant harm. Mugshots associated with dismissed or expunged cases may qualify under their personal information removal policy.
• Exploitative Content: Google classifies mugshot extortion sites (those that charge for removal) as exploitative. Report these sites to Google for potential deindexing.
• Legal Removal Request: If you have a court order for expungement, you can submit it to Google through their legal removal request form.

Google removal does not delete the mugshot from the source website, but it prevents people from finding it through Google search. Since Google handles over 90% of web searches, this is a significant step.

Method 4: Request Removal from County and State Databases

If your mugshot appears on an official law enforcement or county jail website, you may be able to request removal directly from the agency.

• Contact the arresting agency (county sheriff, police department) and request removal of your booking photo from their public-facing website.
• Provide documentation showing that charges were dropped, dismissed, or that you were acquitted.
• If you obtained an expungement, the court order typically requires law enforcement to remove your records from public databases. Follow up to ensure compliance.
• File a public records request to understand what information is being maintained and shared publicly.

Government agencies are generally more responsive to removal requests when accompanied by court orders or proof of case disposition. Be persistent and follow up in writing.

Method 5: Get Arrest Records Expunged or Sealed (Permanent Mugshot Erasure)

Expungement is the most powerful legal tool for mugshot removal because it legally erases your arrest record. Once your record is expunged, you have a court order that compels websites, databases, and even Google to remove your information.

Who Qualifies for Expungement?

• Charges were dropped or dismissed.
• You were found not guilty at trial.
• You completed a diversion or deferred adjudication program.
• You completed probation and a specified waiting period has passed.
• You were a juvenile at the time of arrest (many states automatically seal juvenile records).
• Your state has "clean slate" laws that provide automatic expungement for certain offenses after a waiting period.

The Expungement Process:

1. Check eligibility under your state's expungement laws. Each state has different criteria.
2. File a petition with the court that handled your case.
3. Pay the filing fee (typically $100 to $400 depending on the state; fee waivers may be available).
4. Attend the hearing if one is required. Some states grant expungement without a hearing for qualifying cases.
5. Receive the court order and send certified copies to all agencies and websites that hold your records.

Method 6: Remove Mugshots and Booking Photos from News Articles

News articles containing your mugshot present a unique challenge because they are protected by the First Amendment. However, there are still options:

• Contact the editor or webmaster and request that the article be updated to reflect the case outcome (charges dropped, not guilty, etc.) and that the mugshot be removed.
• Request de-indexing: Even if the article stays up, you can ask the publication to add a "noindex" tag so the page stops appearing in Google results.
• Use Google's removal tools: If the article contains outdated or inaccurate information about your legal status, Google may remove it from search results.
• Pursue legal options: If the article contains false statements of fact (not opinions), you may have grounds for a defamation claim. Consult a media attorney.
• Professional content removal: At ReputationZilla, we specialize in removing harmful content from news websites and search results.

Many news organizations have policies for updating articles about arrests that did not lead to convictions. A polite, professional email explaining your situation often works. Include documentation of your case outcome.

Method 7: Legal Action Against Mugshot Websites

In some cases, legal action against mugshot websites is both justified and effective:

• State consumer protection laws: If a mugshot website charged you for removal in a state where that is prohibited, you may be able to sue for damages plus attorney fees.
• Right of publicity claims: Some states recognize a right to control commercial use of your image. A mugshot website profiting from your booking photo may be violating this right.
• Defamation claims: If the mugshot website publishes inaccurate information alongside your photo (wrong charges, incorrect case outcome), you may have a defamation claim.
• DMCA takedown: If your mugshot was taken by a private entity (not law enforcement), you may have copyright arguments for removal.

Several major mugshot websites have been shut down or forced to change their practices through class action lawsuits and state attorney general actions. The legal landscape is increasingly hostile to exploitative mugshot publishing.

Method 8: Hire a Professional Mugshot Removal and Deletion Service

When DIY methods are too time-consuming or you need guaranteed results, professional mugshot removal services handle the entire process. At ReputationZilla, we offer comprehensive mugshot removal that covers:

• Full internet audit to find every website where your mugshot appears.
• Direct website takedowns using legal and compliance-based approaches.
• Google deindexing to remove mugshots from search results.
• Background check cleanup to remove arrest records from data broker sites.
• Ongoing monitoring to catch any re-publication of your mugshot.
• Guaranteed results with no charge if we cannot remove the content.

How to Suppress Mugshots and Arrest Photos You Cannot Delete

Some mugshots may be impossible to fully remove, especially those on legitimate news sites protected by the First Amendment. In these cases, suppression is your best strategy.

Suppression Strategies:

• Build positive content: Create professional profiles on LinkedIn, social media, personal websites, and industry directories. Google prioritizes recent, authoritative content.
• SEO optimization: Optimize your positive profiles to outrank the mugshot pages for your name. This means using consistent naming, professional photos, and keyword-rich bios.
• Publish content under your name: Blog posts, articles, press releases, and social media content all create positive search results that push mugshots down.
• Professional reputation management: Services like ReputationZilla's reputation cleanup use strategic content creation and SEO to bury negative results.

The goal of suppression is to push mugshot results off the first page of Google. Research shows that 95% of searchers never look past page 1, so moving a mugshot to page 2 or beyond effectively makes it invisible.

Mugshot Removal Scams to Avoid

The mugshot removal industry unfortunately attracts scammers. Here is what to watch for:

• The "republish and remove" scam: Some companies are connected to the mugshot websites themselves. They publish your mugshot, then charge you to remove it. This is illegal in many states.
• Guaranteed overnight removal: No legitimate service can remove mugshots from all websites overnight. The process takes weeks to months.
• Upfront fees with no guarantee: Legitimate services offer guarantees or work on contingency. Be cautious of services that demand full payment upfront with no refund policy.
• Fake reviews: Check the removal company's own reviews for authenticity. Ironically, some reputation companies buy their own fake reviews.
• No clear process: A legitimate removal service should be able to explain their methods clearly. If they are vague about how they achieve removal, that is a red flag.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mugshot Removal and Deletion

Can I remove a mugshot if I was convicted?

It is more difficult but not impossible. Some states allow expungement after completing your sentence and a waiting period. Even without expungement, you can request removal from mugshot websites (especially if your state has removal laws), remove it from Google, and suppress it with positive content.

How long does it take to delete a mugshot from the internet?

Individual website removals take 5 to 30 days depending on the site. A comprehensive removal campaign covering all websites typically takes 30 to 90 days. Google deindexing takes an additional 2 to 6 weeks after the source page is removed.

Can I delete my mugshot from Google Images?

Yes. Use Google's personal information removal request tool or the outdated content removal tool. If the source image has been deleted from the original website, Google will remove the cached image from search results, usually within 1 to 4 weeks.

Are mugshot websites legal?

In most states, publishing mugshots is legal because they are public records. However, charging for removal is now illegal in many states. The legal landscape is shifting against these websites, with increasing regulation and enforcement.

Will a mugshot affect my employment and background checks?

Yes. Studies show that 73% of employers Google candidates before making hiring decisions. A visible mugshot can disqualify you from job opportunities even if you were never convicted. Many employers do not distinguish between arrests and convictions.

Can I remove or erase a mugshot from a background check?

Background check companies are required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to report accurate information. If your record has been expunged, sealed, or charges were dismissed, you can dispute the information with the background check company and they are legally required to correct or remove it within 30 days.

How much does professional mugshot removal and deletion cost?

Professional mugshot removal services vary widely. Some charge per website, others offer comprehensive packages. Contact ReputationZilla for a free consultation to get a quote tailored to your specific situation.

Can someone post my mugshot on social media?

Since mugshots are generally public records, sharing them on social media is typically legal. However, if the post contains false information or is intended as harassment, you may have legal options. Report the post to the social media platform for potential removal under their community guidelines.

Final Verdict: Can You Remove, Delete, or Erase Mugshots from the Internet?

Yes. Removing mugshots from the internet is absolutely possible, though it requires persistence and the right approach for each website. Whether you are trying to delete a mugshot from Google, erase booking photos from mugshot aggregators, remove arrest records from background checks, or get your mugshot taken down from news sites, start by checking your state's mugshot removal laws, then work through direct website requests, Google removal tools, and expungement if eligible.

The most important step is to begin now. Every day your mugshot remains visible, it can be discovered by employers, landlords, business partners, and personal contacts. Whether you tackle the mugshot deletion process yourself or hire a professional removal service, taking action today protects your future.

Related Reading

• Mugshot Removal Service
• Online Content Removal Service
• Reputation Cleanup Service
• Legal Options for Removing Defamatory Content
• Defamatory Content Removal