Georgia Gazette Removal Guide: How to Take Down Your Mugshot and Arrest Info in 2025

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Why Mugshots on Georgia Gazette Are a Serious Problem

Being arrested doesn’t automatically mean you’re guilty, yet sites like the Georgia Gazette post arrest records and mugshots for anyone to see. These online publications have lasting consequences. Even if charges are dropped, your mugshot might still appear on the internet—accessible to employers, landlords, and curious acquaintances.

In this guide, you’ll learn how Georgia Gazette works, what your rights are, and how to permanently remove mugshots and arrest records from the platform.

What Is the Georgia Gazette?

The Georgia Gazette is a mugshot publication that aggregates arrest records across Georgia. Its stated goal is to make public information accessible. However, it often sacrifices personal dignity and privacy in the process. Mugshots are typically scraped from county jail databases and presented alongside arrest info.

Even if you’re never convicted, your image may linger indefinitely on the site. Employers running a background check for criminal records could stumble across it, leading to job denials and reputational damage.

This site operates outside traditional news media ethics and often updates daily with new arrest records, meaning anyone arrested—no matter how trivial the charge—can have their image and name broadcasted online in real-time. It’s not uncommon for people to find their mugshot posted within hours of an arrest.

Find More Solutions to Remove Georgia Mugshots.

Is Posting Mugshots Legal in Georgia?

Georgia’s laws about public records allow mugshots and arrest records to be posted online. However, several legal frameworks challenge the ethics and legality of such practices.

Under Georgia Code § 35-1-19, any business publishing mugshots must remove them within 30 days if the person provides proof that:

• The charges were dropped.
• The arrest was a mistake.
• The individual was found not guilty.

This law is meant to protect the wrongly accused from long-term harm.

Unlike the EU’s “Right to Be Forgotten,” the U.S. lacks a federal mechanism requiring deletion of arrest information. Georgia residents must depend on state-specific remedies or civil action.

While Georgia law offers some protection, it does not prohibit initial publication, meaning damage is often done before an individual even has a chance to respond. This lag in relief can cost jobs, housing, and even relationships.

How to Remove Your Mugshot from Georgia Gazette

1. Obtain Court Documents
   • Get certified proof showing charges were dropped or you were acquitted.
2. Request Removal via Certified Mail
   • Send a formal removal request, along with documentation, to the publication.
3. Wait 30 Days
   • Under Georgia law, the site must comply within 30 days or face potential civil penalties.
4. File a Complaint
   • If ignored, you can file a consumer complaint with the Georgia Department of Law.
5. Consider Legal Counsel
   • A qualified attorney can draft a cease-and-desist or even file a defamation lawsuit.

Additionally, some victims have had success reporting mugshot publications to payment processors, advertising networks, and web hosting providers—claiming the sites violate terms of service related to harassment or personal harm.

What If the Mugshot Is Still Online After 30 Days?

If the Georgia Gazette fails to remove the image after valid proof is submitted, it may be liable under:

• Civil tort laws (e.g., libel or false light invasion of privacy).
• Deceptive business practice laws if they demand a payment to take down the mugshot.

You can also file a complaint with:

• Georgia State Bar
• Better Business Bureau

You may also pursue a civil judgment for damages, especially if you’ve lost income, job offers, or suffered emotional distress due to the mugshot’s presence online.

Reputation Management and Google De-Indexing

Even if your image is removed from the Georgia Gazette site, it might still appear in search engine results. That’s where Remove-Arrests.org comes in.

We Help You:

• De-index mugshot URLs from Google.
• Suppress negative search results.
• Restore your online reputation.
• Monitor for future reappearances.

Remove Arrests uses proven SEO and legal strategies to suppress and remove mugshots, even from stubborn websites. We ensure your name doesn’t lead to harmful images or outdated arrest records.

Don’t let an outdated arrest photo destroy future opportunities. Contact Remove Arrests for a free mugshot removal consultation today.

How Georgia Gazette Impacts Your Life

More than 80% of employers run background checks for criminal records. A mugshot—without context—can result in immediate disqualification.

Landlords and banks often screen for criminal histories. Even if you were never convicted, an online mugshot can raise red flags and lead to application denials.

Even more alarming is how these mugshot sites are indexed. They are optimized for search engines, which means your mugshot might show up at the very top of Google results—above your LinkedIn, business website, or professional certifications.

For students, scholarship applicants, and anyone applying for licensure (medical, real estate, law), a visible mugshot can derail opportunities entirely.

Legal Options for Long-Term Mugshot Removal

If your record is expunged or sealed, it becomes illegal for third parties to republish the associated mugshot. Contact your local Superior Court or visit GeorgiaLegalAid.org for help with the expungement process.

If your mugshot is posted alongside false information, you may have grounds for a defamation claim. This is especially powerful if the site refuses to remove your content after valid legal requests.

Additionally, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act may not protect mugshot publishers if they alter or editorialize content. If any modifications suggest guilt or misrepresent the facts of your arrest, consult an attorney immediately.

How to Prevent Mugshot Recurrence

• Google yourself regularly
• Set up Google Alerts
• Use privacy tools to limit data exposure
• Opt out from people search databases
• Use mugshot monitoring tools

These proactive steps help reduce long-term online damage.

You can hire a mugshot removal firm like Remove Arrests for continuous monitoring.

FAQ: Georgia Gazette Removal