New York Mugshot Removal: The Complete Guide to Erasing Your Online Arrest Record

If you’ve ever been arrested in New York—even if you weren’t convicted—your mugshot and arrest record may still be available online. Sites that publish mugshots profit from your pain, exposing you to public shame, lost job opportunities, and emotional distress. The good news? You can remove mugshots and arrest records from the internet.

This page offers the most comprehensive, up-to-date information about New York mugshot removal and how you can take back your online reputation.

Why Is My Mugshot Online in New York?

When you’re arrested in New York State, your mugshot and arrest information become part of the public record. While New York law prohibits the routine release of mugshots, many websites still manage to get access via third parties, police department leaks, or outdated databases.

These mugshot websites often:

Scrape police databases before privacy reforms went into effect
Acquire records through FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) requests
Publish mugshots regardless of case outcome (even dismissed charges)

Once published, mugshots are indexed by Google, making them visible in search results tied to your name. This means:

Employers Googling you will see your past
Friends and family may stumble upon your arrest
You could face ongoing damage to your reputation—even if you were never convicted

Is It Legal to Post Mugshots in New York?

Although New York banned the automatic public release of booking photos in 2019, many mugshots posted online pre-date this law—or are posted by out-of-state websites that are not bound by New York’s privacy policies.

These sites claim First Amendment protections, creating a gray area that allows them to continue operating unless legally challenged or voluntarily persuaded to remove content.

Your Rights Under New York Law

In 2019, New York passed reforms designed to protect privacy after arrest, including:

Prohibition of routine mugshot release by police departments
Restrictions on publishing arrest data unless there’s a compelling law enforcement reason

However, these protections do not extend to third-party mugshot websites or search engine listings. That means removing a mugshot from Google in New York usually requires:

Contacting the website owner
Filing a legal takedown request
Working with a mugshot removal service experienced in New York privacy law

How to Remove a Mugshot from the Internet in New York

1. Identify All Websites Hosting Your Mugshot

Start by Googling your full name plus terms like:

“[Your Name] mugshot”
“arrest record [Your City]”
“[Your Name] booking photo”

Create a list of all URLs and screenshots of pages that publish your photo or arrest data.

2. Check for Eligibility for Removal

You may be eligible for free mugshot removal in New York if:

The charges were dropped or dismissed
You were acquitted
Your record has been sealed or expunged
The mugshot is outdated or posted without authorization

3. Contact the Mugshot Website Directly

Some websites offer removal for:

A fee (often hundreds to thousands of dollars)
Proof of expungement or dismissal
A formal removal request

Be cautious: Never pay a mugshot website directly without legal guidance. Some operators remove the image only to repost it on another affiliated site.

4. Submit Takedown Requests to Google

If the mugshot has been removed from the original site, but still appears in Google results, you can:

Submit a Google removal request
Request outdated content removal if the image is gone but still cached

Google may remove the image under policies related to personal information and non-consensual content.

5. Hire a New York Mugshot Removal Service

The most effective path to reclaiming your online reputation is hiring professionals who:

Know how to negotiate removals from mugshot websites
Understand NY privacy laws and FOIL exemptions
Can request takedowns and suppress search results efficiently

Remove-Arrests.org’s mugshot removal experts are experienced in navigating New York’s complex legal and online ecosystem.

How Long Does It Take to Remove a Mugshot in New York?

Removal timelines vary depending on:

Number of websites involved
Complexity of your case (active vs. sealed vs. dismissed)
Whether you use a professional service

With expert help, mugshots can often be removed within 7 to 30 days. However, search engine deindexing may take a bit longer, especially when cached results remain visible after takedown.

Free Mugshot Removal Options in New York

Many people wonder if free mugshot removal in New York is possible. In some cases, it is—especially when:

The mugshot violates Google’s privacy policy
You can prove the arrest was sealed or expunged
The site has a voluntary removal policy for innocent individuals

Some tips for free removal:

Use Google’s Outdated Content tool
Send a cease-and-desist letter citing New York Civil Rights Law § 50-a (if applicable)
Contact the site admin and request a courtesy removal (works rarely but is worth trying)

Can You Remove a Mugshot from Google in New York?

Yes, but only after it’s removed from the source website. Google does not host the content—it only indexes it. Once the photo is off the website, you can:

Submit a removal request to Google
Monitor search results for recaching
Work with an online reputation service to suppress the content further

For full peace of mind, consider combining mugshot removal with online reputation management.

Why Choose Remove-Arrests.org for Mugshot Removal in New York?

With thousands of successful removals, our team at Remove-Arrests.org specializes in:

Confidential, fast removals across New York
Handling cases in New York City, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and all counties
Working with Google and major mugshot publishers
Offering free consultations to help you understand your options

We don’t just remove mugshots—we help you build a cleaner, safer online image.

Expungement and Record Sealing in New York: What You Should Know

If your arrest resulted in a dismissal, or if you’ve stayed conviction-free for a certain period, you may be eligible to seal your criminal record in New York. While sealing doesn’t automatically remove mugshots from the internet, it strengthens your case when requesting takedowns.

You may qualify for record sealing if:

It’s been 10 years since your conviction or release
You’ve had no new offenses
Your offense is not violent or sexual in nature

For legal guidance, consult a New York attorney or explore New York State’s Sealing Law (CPL §160.59).

Local Areas We Serve in New York

Our services extend across the state of New York, including:

New York City (all five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island)
Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties)
Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse
Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties
Upstate NY and Hudson Valley areas

No matter where you were arrested, we’re here to help you remove your mugshot and arrest record from the web.

Get Started with New York Mugshot Removal Today

Don’t let an old mistake define your future. Mugshot removal in New York is legal, effective, and possible—with the right help. Whether you want to protect your career, restore your privacy, or simply move on from the past, Remove-Arrests.org is ready to stand with you.

📞 Call us now or request your free consultation to start the removal process today.