Ask most people when a mugshot becomes a problem, and you'll hear the same answer.
"Only if someone was convicted."
That makes sense. But it doesn't help your first impression.
According to a CareerBuilder survey using Harris Poll data, about 70 percent of employers look up candidates online before making a hiring decision, and nearly half say they've chosen not to move forward based on what they found. In many cases, that "what they found" is a mugshot - shown without context, updates, or outcomes.
of employers look up candidates online before making a hiring decision
Source: CareerBuilder / Harris Poll
For search engines, the image comes first. The explanation, if it exists at all, comes later. (If ever)
Table of Contents
- Why Mugshots Cause Problems Long After a Case Ends
- Why Mugshot Removal Is More Realistic Than It Used to Be
- Why Expungement or Record Sealing Comes First
- Step 1 – Determine If You Are Eligible
- Step 2 – File for Expungement or Record Sealing
- Step 3 – Remove Mugshots From Publishing Websites
- Step 4 – Tell Google the Content Is Gone
- Step 5 – Suppress Anything That Cannot Be Removed
- What This Process Will Not Do
Why Mugshots Cause Problems Long After a Case Ends
Mugshots surface when it matters most. When someone is looking for anything concerning.
- Job applications
- Client onboarding
- Background checks
- Professional introductions
mugshotsite1.com › arrests › john-smith
John Smith Arrest Record - Booking Photo
View arrest details and mugshot for John Smith...
arrestdatabase.com › records
John Smith - Arrest Database
Criminal arrest record and booking information...
linkedin.com › in › john-smith
John Smith - Professional Profile
View professional experience and background...
Search results don't explain whether charges were dismissed or dropped. They don't show that a case was resolved years ago. They simply display the photo.
⚠️ The Image Becomes the Story
Because of that, the image often becomes the story. People fill in the blanks themselves.
Why Mugshot Removal Is More Realistic Than It Used to Be
Until recently, removing mugshots felt unpredictable. That has changed.
By 2026, more than 20 states have passed or proposed laws limiting the commercial use of mugshots, particularly in cases where no conviction occurred. In 2025, Georgia passed legislation allowing individuals who were not convicted to request removal from certain mugshot websites.
Mugshot Laws Are Expanding (2026)
20+
States with mugshot laws
Free
Removal for non-convictions
Key Provisions of Newer Laws:
- ✓ Focus on dismissed or dropped charges
- ✓Requires free removal with documentation
- ✓ Restrict pay-for-removal practices
📍 Example: Georgia (2025)
Allows individuals not convicted to request removal from commercial mugshot websites
💡 Check Your State's Laws
Because rules vary by state, check your Attorney General's office or the National Conference of State Legislatures for current guidance.
The opportunity is there. The process still matters.
Why Expungement or Record Sealing Comes First
Many people start by emailing mugshot sites or submitting Google removal requests. That usually leads to delays.
A court order changes the situation.
Expungement or record sealing:
- Removes or seals the record at the source
- Gives you legal leverage with publishing sites
- Qualifies you for free removal in many states
ℹ️ Documentation Matters
Websites are far more responsive when documentation is clear and official. You may also want to remove court records from the internet as part of this process.
Step 1 – Determine If You're Eligible for Expungement or Sealing
This is the starting point.
Check Your State's Eligibility Requirements
What to do:
1. Go to your state's Attorney General website
2. Look for sections labeled:
- Expungement
- Record Sealing
- Criminal Record Relief
3. Review eligibility criteria
4. Download or print the eligibility checklist
If you appear eligible, move on. If you're unsure, call the number listed or use the state's online screener.
Common Expungement Eligibility (2026)
Many people qualify if:
Check your state's Attorney General website for specific requirements
Step 2 – File for Expungement or Record Sealing
Submit Your Petition
What to do:
1. Locate the official court form
2. Complete the form carefully
Include: Case number, Date of arrest, Charge, Final outcome
3. Attach supporting documents
- Dismissal order
- Acquittal
- Proof of diversion completion
4. Pay the filing fee
Typically $0–$300, with waivers available in many counties
5. File with the clerk
In person, by mail, or electronically
6. Attend a hearing if required
Many states now process these automatically
7. Request certified copies once approved
Get at least three copies
Step 3 – Remove Mugshots From Publishing Websites
Google won't remove content that still exists elsewhere. Source removal comes first.
Contact Mugshot Sites Directly
What to do:
1. Open an incognito browser
2. Search your full name + city + "mugshot"
Use a reverse image search to find additional mugshots.
3. Save every URL showing your photo
4. For each site:
- Look for "Removal," "Opt Out," "Takedown," or "Privacy"
- If no form exists, find the contact or legal email
5. Send the removal request with documentation
Attach the certified court order
Removal Request Template
My name is [Full Name].
The following page contains my booking photo:
URL: [exact URL]
The associated case has been expunged/sealed/dismissed.
Attached is a certified court order.
Under [your state] law, removal is required upon receipt of this documentation.
Please confirm removal within [5–30] days.
Step 4 – Tell Google the Content Is Gone
Once the source removes the content, Google needs to be notified.
Submit Outdated Content Removal Requests
What to do:
1. Confirm the page is removed or updated
2. Go to Google's removal tool:
3. Submit a "Remove Outdated Content" request
4. Paste the exact URL
5. Repeat for each page
ℹ️ Monitor Your Results
Understanding image SEO can help you monitor whether images have been properly de-indexed.
Step 5 – Suppress Anything That Can't Be Removed
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to erase every mugshot. In that case, publishing better content to outrank the image is the next best strategy.
Content Suppression Strategy
Build positive content that ranks above unwanted results:
Expected Timeline
3–12 months for page-one improvement
This takes time, but it works. The idea is to promote content that reflects who you are today, not who you were years ago.
What This Process Won't Do
It's important to be realistic.
You may not be able to remove:
- Government-hosted records
- Accurate news reporting
- Sites outside U.S. jurisdiction
❌ Before Removal
mugshotsite.com
Arrest Record - Booking Photo
arrestdatabase.com
Criminal Database Entry
linkedin.com
Professional Profile
✓ After Removal
linkedin.com
Professional Profile
yourwebsite.com
Personal Website
medium.com
Professional Articles
ℹ️ The Goal
The goal isn't to erase history. It's to prevent outdated information from defining the present.
Key Takeaway
Mugshots impact how people are judged, regardless of context.
In 2026, the process is more straightforward. Laws are clearer, expungement carries real legal weight, and search engines behave more predictably when the steps are followed in order.
That order matters:
- Start with expungement or record sealing
- Remove content at the source
- Update search results
- Monitor periodically
Need Help Getting Started?
If you’re unsure where to start, managing multiple mugshot sites, or trying to avoid missteps that slow things down, NewReputation offers free consultations to walk through your situation and outline your options. It’s a straightforward way to understand what applies to you before deciding on next steps.
