There are over a hundred web sites that
publish mug shots and request payment to take them off. These are
legal, but can be very bad for someones reputation and job
prospects. The sites get away with their actions because the United
States Supreme Court has ruled that mug shots are public records and
many law enforcement agencies regularly publish them online. Mug
shots are taken at time of booking and many people are exonerated or
have their charges dropped.
Mug shots have been online for years, but now there are many more
sites. They get most of their images from sheriffs’ and other law
enforcement web sites. Some sites offer a courtesy removal for
people who have been exonerated or never charged, to get their image
removed for free. Others charge hundreds of dollars for removal.
Unfortunate for the people who land on many sites. It could cost
them thousands to have their mug shots removed.
Lately PayPal and some credit card companies have been dropping
known mug shot sites as customers, making it more difficult for them
to get paid. This is good for their corporate consciences, but makes
it even more difficult to get mug shots removed from the web.