A mugshot isn't the whole story.
An old arrest photo — especially from a case that was dismissed, resolved, or never led to a conviction — shouldn't be the first thing people see when they search your name. We pursue removal at the source, site by site.
Quick overview
- Publishing a public arrest photo generally isn't illegal — the issue is usually pay-for-removal practices, which several states now restrict —see the legal landscape.
- A direct removal request to the site is the free first step, especially with dismissed or expunged cases —try this before anything else.
- One photo is rarely on just one site —see how we handle mirror copies.
- Considering paying a site directly? —read this first.
The legal landscape
Arrest records are public information in most US states, so a mugshot site publishing one generally isn't illegal on its own. The legal risk sits with what happens next — several states have passed laws restricting or banning sites that charge a fee to remove a photo, since that model has a long history of being used as leverage. What applies depends on your state and the specific site, so it's worth confirming before you pay anyone directly.
Google has also taken its own position on this: search rankings for these aggregator sites have been algorithmically downgraded for name-based searches since 2013, and Google maintains dedicated removal categories for images of minors and content tied to doxxing or exposed personal information.
What to try yourself first
These cost nothing but time, and a documented, well-written request resolves a meaningful share of cases on its own.
- 1
Find the site's removal or opt-out process
Most mugshot aggregator sites publish a removal request page or contact address, even if it's not prominently linked. Search the site name plus "removal request."
- 2
Gather documentation if the case was dismissed, acquitted, or expunged
Court records showing the case outcome give a removal request far more weight than an informal ask.
- 3
Check your state's law on pay-for-removal mugshot sites before paying anyone
If the site is charging a removal fee and your state restricts that practice, a citation to the relevant law is often more effective than payment.
What we do
Direct site removal requests
Formal removal requests filed with each mugshot aggregator holding your photo, using their specific process.
Dismissed & expunged case priority
Cases with dismissed charges, acquittals, or expungement get documentation-backed requests that carry more weight.
Multi-site mirror tracking
We track and pursue the copies that get scraped onto other aggregator sites after the first one comes down.
Google image de-indexing
Where a case qualifies, we pursue Google's own removal categories in parallel with the site-level request.
Ongoing re-publication monitoring
We monitor for the photo resurfacing on new or existing aggregator sites after removal.
What we won't do
ClearSafe is not a legal expungement service, and we won't misrepresent a case outcome to a site or to Google to force a removal. If the underlying arrest record is accurate and the case is still active, the honest outcome is often suppression rather than outright removal — we'll tell you which applies before you commit to anything.
We also won't recommend paying a site directly without first checking whether that practice is restricted in your state — that protects you, not just the case.
Common questions
Is it legal for mugshot sites to publish arrest photos?
Generally yes — arrest records are public information in most US states, and publishing them isn't illegal on its own. The legal issues usually come from what happens next: charging a fee for removal, which several states now restrict or ban.
Can I get my mugshot removed for free?
Some sites will remove it for free if the charges were dismissed, you were acquitted, or the record was expunged — you just have to ask, in writing, with documentation. Others only respond to a formal legal request.
Should I pay a mugshot site to remove my photo?
Be careful. Several US states have passed laws restricting or banning pay-for-removal mugshot sites, and paying doesn't guarantee the photo won't reappear on a different aggregator. Confirm what applies in your state and to that specific site before paying anyone directly.
Does removing it from one site remove it everywhere?
No. Mugshot photos get scraped and mirrored across multiple aggregator sites. Removing it from the original source doesn't automatically clear the copies — each site generally needs its own request.
Can Google remove the mugshot from search even if the site keeps it up?
In limited cases — Google has removal processes for images of minors and for content tied to doxxing or exposed personal information. Outside those categories, de-indexing an accurate public record is harder and case-specific.
See exactly what applies to your case.
Send us the site and case details. We'll tell you honestly what's realistic before you pay for anything.
100% confidential — we never share client information.
Request a confidential assessment