Iowa Mugshot Law
In Iowa, it is legal for a law enforcement officer to take your photograph (“mugshot”) when you are arrested. The mugshot can be used by the police and prosecutor as evidence against you in court. The mugshot can also be published by the news media.
If you are convicted of a crime, your mugshot will become part of your criminal record, which is public information. Your mugshot may also be published online by private companies that collect and post booking photos from local jails. Even if you are later acquitted or have your charges dismissed, your booking photo may remain online indefinitely.
If you are arrested in Iowa, ask for a lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can help you understand the charges against you and what options you have to fight them.
Expunge Iowa Mugshots and Arrest Record
The arrest record expungement process in Iowa is fairly straightforward. If you have been arrested but not convicted of a crime, you can petition the court to have your record expunged. The court will review your petition and decide whether or not to grant your request. If your request is granted, your arrest record will be erased from public records.
However, if you have been convicted of a crime, you cannot have your record expunged. Convicted criminals must disclose their criminal history on job applications, in housing applications, and when applying for professional licenses. If you are a convicted criminal and want to clear your record, you can apply for a pardon from the governor’s office. A pardon will not erase your conviction from public records, but it will show that you have been pardoned by the state and are now rehabilitated.
Iowa Mugshot Record Removal
You can still have our experienced team of mugshot removal professionals erase your mugshot from websites, news publications and search engine results even if you don’t qualify to have your arrest record expunged.
Click here for a free mugshot discovery and record removal evaluation.