If your mugshot is still available online after your case was dismissed, you’re not alone. In Florida, arrest photos can remain on the internet, impacting your reputation and job prospects.
This guide outlines your rights under Florida law and provides a step-by-step process for completely erasing your mugshot from Google. It also includes alternative approaches if your removal requests are ignored. Don’t let a past arrest define your future, and learn how to get your mugshot off the internet today.
Why Is Mugshot Publicly Available Online?
A mugshot becomes publicly available because it is created as part of an arrest record, which is generally classified as public information under Florida law. Once released, that image is no longer limited to law enforcement systems. It can be accessed, copied, and redistributed across the internet.
In practice, this is where most individuals lose control over their information. After the initial publication, third-party websites and data brokers systematically collect these records and republish them across their own platforms.
We regularly verify this process through real cases:
- Public record release: Law enforcement agencies publish arrest data, including booking photos
- Automated data scraping: Mugshot websites and data brokers collect and store these records at scale
- Search engine indexing: Google indexes these pages, making them visible in name-based searches
- Mass duplication: One mugshot can appear on dozens of independent websites
Even if your case is dismissed, dropped, or later expunged, these third-party platforms are not automatically updated. They operate independently from the court system, which means your mugshot can continue circulating online.
This leads to the next critical question: once your mugshot is online, how long does it actually stay there?
How Long Do Mugshots Stay Online?
A mugshot can remain online indefinitely unless specific action is taken to remove it. Once published and distributed across multiple platforms, there is no automatic expiration or removal timeline.
From what we have documented in Florida cases, mugshots often persist because:
- They are stored across multiple third-party databases
- Each website controls its own removal process
- Search engines continue to index and display results over time
Even after expungement under Florida Statute §943.0585, the image may still exist online unless it is actively removed from each source.
Legal Basis for Mugshot Removal in Florida
Florida law provides important protections for individuals seeking to remove mugshots from the internet after their criminal record has been expunged or sealed. Under Florida Statute 901.43, websites that publish mugshots must comply with specific removal requirements.
Key points include:
- Mandatory Removal: Once an individual’s criminal record is expunged or sealed, websites must remove the mugshot within 10 days of receiving a written removal request.
- No Fees Allowed: Publishers cannot charge a fee for removing mugshots if the request is accompanied by proof of expungement or sealing.
- Legal Penalties: Websites that fail to comply may face actual damages, attorney’s fees, court costs, and civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.
It is important to note that removal rights only apply after expungement or sealing of the criminal record. Therefore, expungement is often the first necessary step before requesting mugshot removal.
A qualified Florida mugshot removal lawyer can help ensure these laws are properly enforced to protect your privacy and reputation.
How to Remove Your Mugshots From the Internet?
Florida law (Florida Statute § 901.43) empowers you to request the removal of your mugshot from certain websites. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
1. Check Your Eligibility
Before proceeding, determine if you qualify for mugshot removal. You may be eligible if:
- Dismissed charges: If the charges against you were dismissed or dropped.
- Not guilty verdicts: If you were acquitted of the charges.
- Arrests that don’t lead to charges: If you were arrested but never formally charged.
- Cases with adjudication withheld: In some cases, even if you pled guilty or no contest, adjudication may have been withheld. This can make you eligible for removal depending on the specific circumstances.
In some cases, mugshot removal is possible without expunging your record. However, expungement strengthens your legal position and often makes removal faster and more reliable.
2. Seal or Expunge Your Record
Expunging or sealing your criminal record provides the strongest legal basis for demanding mugshot removal. Once your record is sealed or expunged, Florida law requires websites to remove your mugshot upon request.
To learn more about the expungement and sealing process in Florida, visit our detailed guide: Florida Expungement Process & Legal Help.
3. Locate All Websites Publishing Your Mugshot
Make a list of all websites where your mugshot appears. Common offenders include:
- Mugshots.com
- Arrests.org
- BustedMugshots.com
- Local jail websites and news aggregators
Tips: Use Google or ChatGPT to navigate all instances of your mugshot quickly.
4. Craft Your Removal Request
Florida law requires a written request sent by certified mail with proof of receipt. Your request should include:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Copy of the expungement/sealing order
- A clear identification of the mugshot you want to remove
- The specific website address (URL) where the mugshot appears
- The reason for requesting removal (e.g., charges dismissed)
- A copy of a valid ID (driver’s license, passport)
5. Send Your Request
Send your request with a copy of your ID to the website’s registered agent (often listed on their website or through domain name lookup tools).
6. Follow Up (if necessary):
Florida law gives websites 10 days to respond to your request. If you don’t receive a response or your request is denied, consider these options:
- Resend the request: Sometimes, mistakes happen. A polite resend might be enough.
- Seek legal help: An attorney specializing in Florida mugshot removal can significantly increase your chances of success and handle complex situations.
Important to Note:
For non-profit websites, there is a high likelihood that they will not comply with your mugshot removal request. In such cases, there are advanced techniques available to help remove your mugshot from Google; however, this process can be complex, and it is advisable to seek expert assistance to accomplish it.
Free Eligibility Test
Only takes 2 minutes to find out if you are eligible. Take our test now!
DO I QUALIFY?How Much Does It Cost & Fee To Get Your Mugshot Off The Internet?
In Florida, an average cost for mugshot removal is $250, but it can vary depending on attorney fees and the nature of your case.
At Erase The Case, removing a mugshot in Florida typically involves fees for both expungement/sealing and the actual removal from websites:
- Expungement/Sealing Costs: Attorney fees usually start around $750, plus court and processing fees totalling approximately $150. Overall, the expungement process typically costs between $995 and $2,500, depending on your case.
- Mugshot Removal Fees: After expungement, removing mugshots online can cost starting at $1,000 per site. Additional services like background check removal and legal case letters may add to the cost, ranging from $500 to $3,500.
- Other Factors: Costs vary depending on the number of websites hosting your mugshot and the complexity of removal. Working with a lawyer can streamline the process and improve success rates.
What If the Website Refuses to Comply?
Even after expungement, some websites ignore takedown requests. Here’s how we help enforce your rights:
1. Deindexing Requests to Google and Bing
Even if the mugshot isn’t removed, you can remove it from search engine results using:
- Google’s Outdated Content Removal Tool
- Bing’s Content Removal Tool
This doesn’t delete the image but hides it from public view.
2. Online Reputation Management (ORM)
Push negative content off the first page of Google by publishing:
- Personal websites or blogs
- LinkedIn profiles and bios
- News features, press releases, or interviews
The goal is to outrank the mugshot with more relevant content.
3. Take Legal Action
Under Florida law, you may sue websites that:
- Charge a fee for removal (illegal in Florida)
- Fail to remove a mugshot after receiving a lawful expungement order
Mugshot Removal vs. Expungement: Why You Need Both?
| Feature | Mugshot Removal | Expungement |
| What it addresses | Photo on third-party websites | Your criminal record |
| Legally binding? | Not always | Yes, statewide recognition |
| Who enforces it | You or an attorney | Florida Department of Law Enforcement |
| Permanent solution? | Not without expungement | Yes |
Why should expungement come first?
Expungement is essential for mugshot removal because it legally clears your record, giving you stronger grounds to demand complete and lasting removal of your arrest photos from websites. Most mugshot websites won’t remove your photo unless you prove your record is expunged or sealed. Expungement gives you the legal authority to compel removal, and in some cases, sue.
Why Should You Need A Mugshot Removal Lawyer?
Florida law offers a strong right to have your mugshot removed from certain websites, but navigating the process and maximizing your chances of success can be complex. Here’s why a lawyer specializing in Florida mugshot removal can be a valuable asset:
- Comprehensive Removal: An experienced mugshot removal lawyer helps erase your arrest photo completely by legally sealing or expunging your record, which also improves background check results.
- Expert Handling of Publishing Sites: Lawyers draft precise removal requests with the proper proof and legal documentation, increasing the chances that mugshot websites comply quickly and fully.
- Advanced Removal Techniques: If sites won’t comply, lawyers use technical methods like deindexing and Google removal requests that most individuals can’t handle.
- Stress-Free Process Management: Your lawyer manages the entire process — from paperwork and timelines to follow-ups — allowing you to focus on moving forward while your case is handled professionally.
Speak With a Mugshot Removal Lawyer Today
Hiring a mugshot removal lawyer can streamline the process of removing mugshots from the internet and help clean up your online presence, especially if you qualify for sealing or expunging your case.
Remove your arrest photo with a 5-star mugshot removal service from Erase The Case and reclaim your life now.
Free Eligibility Test
Only takes 2 minutes to find out if you are eligible. Take our test now!
DO I QUALIFY?Get Your Free Mugshot Evaluation
- Call now: +1 866-372-7335
- Free Eligibility Test: Check Now
- Email: lawyer@erasethecase.com
Your past doesn’t define you—we help make sure it doesn’t follow you online.
FAQs
Are mugshots public record in Florida?
Yes, in Florida, mugshots are public records and are often made available online by the Sunshine Law, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Law.
Do mugshots go away?
Mugshots generally do not go away on their own and can remain online indefinitely, even if charges are dropped or expunged
Why are some mugshots not online in Florida?
Florida laws and policies shield people from the negative effects of having a mugshot. You have the right to request the removal of a mugshot from websites, regardless of the outcome of a criminal trial.
Where can I view local mugshots for free?
Visit the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) Corrections Offender Network homepage to view local mugshots for free in Florida.
Can I get my mugshot removed if the charges were dropped?
In 2021, Senate Bill 1046 in Florida was passed, which allows you to ask for the removal of mugshots from any website, whether your charges were dropped or not.
