A mugshot is a photograph of an individual that’s taken when they are arrested. It’s usually two-part, showing a frontal and a profile view. Every state except Louisiana considers mugshots to be public records, which means they’re available to anyone who wants them. However, some police agencies are limiting their release of mugshots, which can lead to trouble for innocent people who may be mistakenly accused of crimes they never committed.
Public Records
Public records are documents filed, collected, received and maintained by government organizations, departments and agencies in accordance with specific laws such as the Federal Records Act or the Freedom of Information Act. Public records include vital records, court cases, corporate and property records, immigration and driving records, and much more. Some types of public records are available for free, while others may require a reproduction fee. Mugshot lookup are an example of a public record that is accessible by the general public under New York’s Freedom of Information Law. These pictures are usually published on law enforcement agencies’ websites or disseminated upon request at the agency’s physical address.
Although it’s possible to get a physical copy of public arrest and court case records, many people find the process frustrating and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are a number of online services that offer access to these records via government agency databases for a small fee. Some of these services also perform search queries based on a name rather than a case number, which makes them much easier to use.
Offender Database
Registries of convicted offenders are a common part of criminal justice in many countries. They’re used to track offenders in the community and provide people with information about convicted offenders that may help them protect themselves or their children. Sex offender registries also contain information on convicted offenders who have been released from prison and are living in the community. They’re known as “level” offenders, and are defined by the risk they pose to reoffend.
Level one offenders are considered low-risk offenders; those who are at moderate or high risk of reoffending are categorized as level two and three offenders. The registries include names, addresses, photos and descriptions of each registered offender. The National Offender Public Website (NSOPW) provides a convenient way to access sex offender registries in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and federally recognized Indian tribes. Searching sex offender registries is as simple as running a name or zip code search.
Commercial Websites
When someone is arrested, a photograph of that person known as a booking or arrest picture is taken. This is a public record and can be found on the websites of police departments. Mugshots often live online for years, shaming and making it difficult for those who have been found innocent, charges dropped or an appeal successfully handled to rebuild their reputations. This has led to a niche industry that extorts money from individuals who wish to have their pictures removed from mugshot websites.
Several states have enacted laws against this practice. They also have banned or regulated these websites and their business practices. Some companies, such as MasterCard and American Express, have reportedly stopped processing payments to these sites. Some have even changed their search algorithms so that these mugshot websites do not show up in searches so prominently.
Legal Issues
Mugshots are considered public information, so they’re usually easy to get access to through your local police department. However, when they are published on the internet, they can have serious consequences for the individual portrayed. Mugshot lookup can stand in the way of a person’s personal and professional prospects, including job opportunities, educational and housing options, and career advancement. They can also sabotage an individual’s reputation and cause them to be passed over on dating sites or other online social networking platforms. Many mugshot websites scrape arrest records and the Internet for booking photos and post them, often appearing prominently in search engine results. They also make money by charging people to remove their images from the website.
This business model, though it’s not entirely, creates a black market in privacy that needs to be addressed. Lawmakers should not let companies profit from people’s privacy without providing meaningful protection.
Final Thought
A mugshot lookup is an important part of the criminal record check process. It can reveal an individual’s name, photo, and other details that can negatively impact their reputation. Mugshots are public records that can be published online by any number of websites.
