Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
The Career Cost of a Public Mugshot
- 1 The Career Cost of a Public Mugshot
- 2 Why Mugshots Appear in Search Results
- 3 How Employers Use Google to Screen Applicants
- 4 Step-by-Step Guide to Mugshot Removal Before Job Hunting
- 5 Legal Pathways to Remove Mugshots
- 6 Submitting Removal Requests to Google
- 7 SEO Suppression for Mugshot Burial
- 8 Avoiding Pitfalls in Mugshot Removal
- 9 When to Seek Help from Experts
- 10 State Laws That Support Mugshot Removal
- 11 Timeline for Mugshot Cleanup Before Applying for Jobs
- 12 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Hiring managers often Google applicants before offering interviews. When a mugshot appears in those search results, it instantly triggers red flags—regardless of context. A dismissed charge or expunged record doesn’t matter if the photo remains accessible.
Employers may interpret a visible mugshot as a liability, making mugshot removal an essential step in job preparation.
Mugshots also get shared across social media platforms, increasing their exposure. Friends, professional colleagues, and even recruiters may come across these images unintentionally, amplifying the risk of stigma before you’ve had a chance to present your qualifications.
Why Mugshots Appear in Search Results
How They’re Published:
- Local law enforcement websites upload booking photos
- Mugshot aggregator sites scrape and repost them
- Media outlets embed mugshots in arrest reports
How They Rank in Google:
- Mugshot pages use your name in URL, title tag, and image alt text
- High engagement and backlinks keep them on page one
- Lack of competing personal content allows them to dominate
In addition, mugshot sites often duplicate content across multiple domains, making removal harder and increasing the likelihood of your mugshot appearing under slightly different URLs.
How Employers Use Google to Screen Applicants
According to a CareerBuilder survey:
- 70% of employers screen candidates using search engines
- 48% check for criminal records
- 54% eliminate candidates based on online findings
What That Means:
If your mugshot is the first impression, it can cost you:
- Interviews
- Job offers
- Career advancement opportunities
This underscores the importance of managing your online presence just as seriously as your résumé.
Step-by-Step Guide to Mugshot Removal Before Job Hunting
Step 1: Identify All Online Mugshots
Search your name using:
"First Last" mugshot OR arrest OR booking photoNote the URLs, domains, and whether images appear in Google Image results.
Repeat this step on Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. Different engines index different mugshot sites.
Step 2: Confirm Your Legal Eligibility
You may qualify for legal mugshot removal if:
- Your record was expunged or sealed
- Charges were dropped or dismissed
- The arrest occurred years ago and is no longer relevant
Use the NCSL’s expungement statutes database to determine eligibility in your state.
Gather your legal documentation early—it streamlines the takedown process.
Legal Pathways to Remove Mugshots
Expungement
Once your record is expunged:
- The court issues a certified order
- You can request removal from websites and search engines
Expungement often opens the door to full de-indexing on Google and content takedown across state-run portals.
Sealing
Sealed records may still exist but can be shielded from public access. This limits publication in many jurisdictions.
Takedown Requests to Websites
Write a formal request to:
- County jail websites
- Mugshot aggregators
- News platforms
Include:
- Expungement documents
- State-specific removal law references
- Proof of identification
Document every step and follow up regularly. Some sites delay responses unless pressured.
Submitting Removal Requests to Google
If the original page is removed or updated:
- Use the Google Content Removal Tool
- Choose “In Google’s search results and on a website”
- Submit the page and/or image URL
- Attach legal documentation
For outdated or cached content:
Use the Remove Outdated Content Tool
Google may remove:
- Old content no longer on the site
- Cached images still appearing in search
Additionally, flagging misinformation or privacy violations through Google Legal Help may prompt quicker action.
SEO Suppression for Mugshot Burial
When removal isn’t possible, search suppression is the best solution.
Launch Your Personal Brand Online
- Register
yourfullname.com - Create professional content: resume, blog, portfolio
- Use schema markup to signal credibility to search engines
Publish Positive Content
Platforms to leverage:
- Medium
- YouTube
- Crunchbase
- Substack
Best practices:
- Use your full name naturally
- Publish weekly for momentum
- Include your name in image ALT tags
- Link your content together for internal SEO
Leverage Local Media and Associations
Get listed in:
- Alumni directories
- Volunteer organization bios
- Local business chamber profiles
These backlinks can push down unwanted results more effectively.
Avoiding Pitfalls in Mugshot Removal
Don’t:
- Pay shady sites for removal (may be illegal in some states)
- Send money without checking for multiple domains
- Forget to monitor your name regularly
Do:
- Opt out of people search databases like Spokeo and Whitepages
- Set up Google Alerts for your full name
- Keep legal records ready for submission
Bonus Tip:
Use browser extensions that simulate clean Google search results (no personalization) to see how others view your name online.
When to Seek Help from Experts
Sometimes you need professional support. That’s where Remove Arrest steps in.
We provide:
- Mugshot takedown letters backed by law
- Full-service Google de-indexing
- SEO suppression campaigns for long-term results
- Content publishing to build your personal reputation
- Reputation monitoring to detect reappearances
Contact Remove Arrest to get started with a free mugshot audit.
State Laws That Support Mugshot Removal
| State | Relevant Law |
|---|---|
| California | Prohibits mugshot publication without conviction |
| Georgia | Requires removal if charges were dropped |
| Utah | Enforces takedown within 30 days of request |
| Texas | Outlaws paid removal models |
| New York | Restricts access under FOIL |
Know your rights before starting the removal process. Laws vary significantly.
Timeline for Mugshot Cleanup Before Applying for Jobs
| Step | Time Estimate |
| Identify mugshot locations | 1–2 days |
| File legal documents | 1–4 weeks (varies by state) |
| Submit takedown requests | 1–2 days |
| Google response | 1–4 weeks |
| SEO suppression | 2–6 months (ongoing) |
Add buffer time if you’re planning to apply for competitive roles or government positions that require detailed background checks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. Employers often judge by perception. A visible mugshot, even without charges, may result in disqualification.
Indefinitely—unless legally removed or suppressed through SEO.
No, but it gives you legal grounds to demand takedown from hosting sites and Google.
You’ll need to contact each individually, or work with a removal service like Remove Arrest
Yes—if removed from the source and you use the Google Image removal or outdated content tools.
Focus on quick wins: optimize LinkedIn, publish an article on Medium, start a blog on your name domain, and syndicate your bio to trusted platforms.
MLA Citations:
“How to Remove Personal Info from the Internet.” Electronic Frontier Foundation, www.eff.org/issues/mugshots.
“Expungement and Sealing of Criminal Records Statutes.” National Conference of State Legislatures, www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/expungement-and-sealing-of-criminal-records-statutes.aspx.
“Remove Information from Google.” Google Search Help, support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/3111061.
“Background Checks & What Employers Look For.” CareerBuilder, www.careerbuilder.com/advice/background-checks-what-employers-are-looking-for.
“Privacy Rights & Mugshots.” Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, www.privacyrights.org.