Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
What Is a Mugshot and Why It Gets Released
- 1 What Is a Mugshot and Why It Gets Released
- 2 Mugshot Release Timelines: What to Expect
- 3 How Law Enforcement Policies Affect Release Speed
- 4 Factors That Speed Up or Delay Release
- 5 Typical Mugshot Lifecycle Timeline
- 6 How to Stop a Mugshot from Being Released or Indexed
- 7 What Happens After Mugshot Is Removed from Source?
- 8 How Long Removal Takes (Post-Release)
- 9 When to Contact Remove Arrest
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A mugshot is the photograph taken by law enforcement during the booking process. It is typically paired with:
- Booking details
- Charges filed
- Arrest date and agency
Depending on your jurisdiction, your mugshot becomes part of the public record, accessible to media, public information portals, and commercial aggregator sites.
Many law enforcement agencies upload mugshots to inmate databases, which are scraped by mugshot sites in real-time.
These photos serve as identifiers and are often used to locate suspects or provide public awareness—but they can also result in disproportionate harm, especially when published without legal context or updates.
Mugshot Release Timelines: What to Expect
1. Local Jail Databases
Most county or city jails release arrest data within:
- 1 to 24 hours for high-profile or public interest arrests
- 24 to 72 hours for standard bookings
These records are often updated automatically via jail management systems.
2. Mugshot Aggregator Websites
Sites like mugshots.zone or bustednewspaper.com scrape public booking feeds every 15 minutes to 6 hours. Once a new arrest is detected, they create a page optimized with your full name and photo.
In some cases, third-party aggregators contract with jail systems to receive real-time data feeds, making uploads nearly instantaneous.
3. Search Engine Indexing
Once the aggregator page is created, Google may index it in:
- 24 to 72 hours if it has strong authority
- 3 to 10 days if it’s a lesser-known site
Search engine bots crawl frequently updated arrest pages often, meaning your mugshot could appear on page one of search results within 2 to 3 days of your arrest.
How Law Enforcement Policies Affect Release Speed
Not every agency publishes mugshots. Timelines also vary based on:
- State public records laws
- Department policy
- Privacy restrictions (especially in juvenile or sealed cases)
Some agencies release mugshots only upon request. Others, like sheriff’s offices in open-record states, publish booking logs as routine practice.
States That Restrict Mugshot Release:
| State | Mugshot Release Policy |
|---|---|
| California | Mugshots not released unless public safety requires |
| New York | FOIL law prohibits automatic release |
| Utah | Mandates removal post-expungement |
| Oregon | Regulates access and monetization |
| Colorado | Local agencies decide based on pending charges |
See NCSL mugshot release laws for a full breakdown.
Factors That Speed Up or Delay Release
Speeds Up:
- Public interest or media attention
- Automated jail database updates
- Booking at large metropolitan jails
- Arrests involving celebrities or public officials
Delays:
- Weekends or holidays
- Sealed or juvenile cases
- Manual booking systems
- Arrests where charges are pending review
- Medical holds or transfer to another jurisdiction
In smaller counties, mugshots may not be uploaded unless requested or manually entered.
Typical Mugshot Lifecycle Timeline
Arrest ➝ Booking ➝ Mugshot Taken ➝ Jail Site Upload (24–72 hrs)
➝ Aggregator Scraping (6–24 hrs) ➝ Google Indexing (1–5 days)Without intervention, your mugshot could be searchable on Google within 48 to 120 hours.
How to Stop a Mugshot from Being Released or Indexed
1. Request Non-Release from Law Enforcement (Rare)
Some departments may agree not to publish if:
- You are a minor
- You are cleared quickly
- Charges are dropped before processing
- The arrest is part of a sealed investigation
2. Seek Expungement or Record Sealing
After dismissal or completion of probation, pursue expungement. This can serve as the basis for legal takedown. In some states, expunged records require immediate mugshot deletion from official channels.
3. Submit Takedown Requests to Sites
Most mugshot sites allow for takedown requests when you provide:
- Expungement paperwork
- Court dismissals
- Government-issued ID (with redacted info)
In states like Texas or Georgia, laws require removal within 30 days when eligible.
4. Request De-Indexing from Google
Use the Google Removal Tool
- Select “Information appearing in Google Search”
- Attach legal documentation
- Submit direct URLs of mugshot listings
If the source page is already removed, use the Google Outdated Content Tool to clear cached versions.
5. Suppress the Mugshot via SEO
If takedown fails, SEO suppression is key. Create:
- A website under your full name (e.g., johnsmith.com)
- Optimized profiles (LinkedIn, Medium, YouTube)
- Articles and press releases with your name in titles
- Videos and blog posts that showcase your professional or personal strengths
Search engines favor fresh, authoritative content—making suppression an effective strategy.
What Happens After Mugshot Is Removed from Source?
Even after a mugshot is deleted, it may remain:
- In cached versions on Google
- On image search indexes
- Copied across mirror sites
- Published in old media stories
Without removal of the cached data, the image can remain in search results for weeks or months.
What You Can Do:
- Submit removal requests for each cache copy
- Contact secondary websites directly
- Flag outdated or misleading search results
Ongoing monitoring and updates are crucial to maintaining visibility control.
How Long Removal Takes (Post-Release)
| Method | Timeframe |
| Law enforcement request | Rare, varies by agency |
| Site removal request | 3–30 days depending on site |
| Google de-indexing | 3–14 days |
| SEO suppression | 4–12 weeks (long-term) |
| Cached content removal | 2–10 days |
Mugshot removal often requires multiple steps across multiple domains. Patience and consistency are key.
When to Contact Remove Arrest
If your mugshot is newly released or already indexed, Remove Arrest can act fast:
- Takedown requests backed by legal documents
- SEO suppression to outrank harmful listings
- Google de-indexing campaigns
- Monitoring to prevent reappearance
- Court support if required
Get your free removal evaluation and protect your name before permanent harm is done.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Typically 24–72 hours after booking, but some sites can post within 6–12 hours of arrest.
Yes, unless you proactively request removal and Google de-indexing.
Rarely. Most agencies follow FOIA protocols. However, expungement or sealing records after arrest can trigger takedown rights.
Takedown requests are submitted within 24 hours. Results depend on the host site and whether documentation is ready.
Unlikely. Once indexed by Google or copied to mirror sites, they remain unless actively removed or suppressed.
No. You must request outdated cache clearance using their removal tools.
MLA Citations:
- “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 Personal Information from Google.” Google Support, support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/3111061.
- “Google Outdated Content Removal Tool.” Search Console, search.google.com/search-console/remove-outdated-content.
- “Public Records and Privacy.” Electronic Frontier Foundation, www.eff.org/issues/mugshots.
- “Mugshot Transparency Laws by State.” Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, www.privacyrights.org.