Having your mugshot and arrest record published online can be damaging to your reputation. Booking photos and the accompanying arrest records are public, which means anyone can look them up. This can make it challenging to find a job or secure housing, for example. Needless to say, it’s worth trying to opt out of Mugshots.com.
The trouble with mugshot websites is that they often don’t make it easy to remove your mugshot or arrest records. While Mugshots.com doesn’t charge to remove your record, it will only delete it in certain cases, such as if the record has been expunged or sealed. If this is true in your case, you’ll be able to opt out of Mugshots.com. If not, you may need to try something else (we’ll cover other methods in this post).
Please keep in mind that opting out of Mugshots.com doesn’t remove your booking photo and arrest record from other mugshot sites. While a data removal service can reduce the risk of Mugshots.com finding and publishing your mugshot and arrest record, it is still no guarantee. Data removal services can’t remove your existing information from Mugshots.com because doing so requires the submission of relevant court documents (more on this later).
Best data removal service to keep your data off Mugshots.com: Incogni
Apps Available:
Website: https://www.incogni.com
In order to keep a booking photo and arrest record of mugshot websites like Mugshots.com, you’re best off using a data removal service. We particularly recommend Incogni. This data removal service can send data deletion requests to some 180 data brokers, making it all the more difficult for mugshot sites to get your information. It uses relevant data privacy laws including GDPR and CCPA to ensure requests are respected and processed promptly.
Incogni is particularly quick and easy to set up and use, automating what would otherwise be a very long and repetitive process. The Incogni dashboard keeps you up to date with the status of requests, be it those that have been sent, are in progress, or are completed. Even when requests are fulfilled, Incogni continues to check that your data doesn’t reappear. You can use Incogni in the US, UK, Canada, and more than two dozen countries across Europe.
Can I use a data removal service to opt out of Mugshots.com?
Not exactly. While a data removal service allows you to opt out from many people search sites, mugshot websites such as Mugshots.com require you to submit relevant documentation to remove the mugshot and arrest record. The information (booking photo, arrest record) that Mugshots.com shows is from public records and legal to publish as a result.
Mugshot websites obtain their information from public records search engines, among other sources. If you use a data removal service to prevent your personal information from being published online, you may be able to stop Mugshots from getting their hands on it. However, this is no guarantee.
How to manually opt out of Mugshots.com
Mugshots.com states that it removes mugshots and arrest records for free if the record has been expunged or sealed. It also does this in cases of identity theft or if the subject of the record has died.
Here’s how to manually opt out of Mugshots.com:
- Go to Mugshots.com and enter your name in the search bar.
- Find your record and click on your name to open it.
- Copy or make a note of the record number (next to the line that says “Mugshots.com”).
- Write an email to mugshots.com1@gmail.com to request the removal of your record. Be sure to include the record number and supporting documentation. Mugshots.com states that this must be signed by a judge, sealed by the court, and legible).
- The process can take up to 10 business days. Mugshots.com states that non-legible documents will be discarded with no notification provided.
- Providing the documentation is in order, Mugshots.com will remove your information from public view, free of charge.
Why should I opt out of Mugshots.com?
There are many reasons to opt out of Mugshots.com, as well as similar websites that post arrest records and mugshots. One of the main concerns is privacy. Anyone who types your name online can potentially find your personal information on Mugshots.com. The damage this can do to your reputation has many potential consequences including difficulty gaining employment. This can be the case even if you weren’t convicted or if the arrest was for only a minor offense.
Not all information on Mugshots.com is accurate or up-to-date. It may be that there has been a case of mistaken identity or that the charges against you have since been dropped. Despite this, the information on Mugshots.com remains unchanged, creating a false narrative. Having your booking photo and arrest record online for all to see can also take a toll on your mental health.
Opting out of Mugshots.com and taking back control of your personal information can resolve a lot of these issues.
What information does Mugshots.com have about me?
Websites like Mugshots.com aggregate and display arrest records. The information the site has on each person varies according to what data is available to them. However you can typically find the following information on Mugshots.com:
- Mugshot
- Full name
- Address
- Arrest date
- Charges
- Arresting agency
- Charges
- Booking details
- Bail or bond information
- Case status
- Physical description
