Public Records Guide
Are Mugshots Public Record?
Short answer: in most states, yes — but publication is increasingly restricted, and a mugshot is never proof of guilt. Here’s what a mugshot is, how to find one, and how removal works.
The essentials
What a mugshot is
A mugshot is the booking photo taken when someone is processed into a jail after an arrest. It documents that an arrest happened — not that the person was charged, convicted, or is guilty of anything.
Are they public record?
In most states, arrest and booking records — often including the mugshot — are public record. But it varies and is changing: a growing number of states restrict the commercial publication of mugshots (and require sites to remove them on request), and some agencies no longer release booking photos proactively. Check the rules in the specific state.
A mugshot is not a conviction
Charges listed with a booking are allegations. Many people photographed at booking are released, never charged, or later cleared. Treat a mugshot as a record of an arrest at a moment in time, not a verdict.
How to find a mugshot
Where a mugshot is published, it usually appears on the county sheriff’s jail roster (for recent bookings) or a state Department of Corrections offender page. Search “[County] sheriff jail roster,” or use the guides below to search by jurisdiction or name.
How removal works
Because publication is increasingly regulated, many jurisdictions and reputable sites offer removal. If a record about you appears in our directory, you can opt out — we honor removal requests for your own listing.
What a mugshot record includes
Frequently asked questions
Are mugshots public record?
Usually, yes — booking/arrest records including mugshots are public record in most states. However, publication is increasingly restricted: several states limit the commercial use of mugshots and require removal on request, and some agencies no longer release them proactively. Laws vary by state.
Does a mugshot mean someone was convicted?
No. A mugshot only means a person was arrested and booked. The listed charges are allegations; the person may be released, never charged, or later found not guilty.
How do I find someone’s mugshot?
Check the county sheriff’s jail roster for recent bookings, or a state DOC offender page for someone in prison. Search “[County] sheriff jail roster,” or use a name-based public-records search when you don’t know the jurisdiction.
Can I get my mugshot removed?
Often, yes. Many jurisdictions and reputable sites offer removal, and some state laws require it. If your record appears in our directory, you can opt out — we honor removal requests for your own listing.
Is it legal to publish mugshots?
It depends on the state. Publishing public records is generally permitted, but a growing number of states restrict the commercial publication of mugshots — especially charging fees for removal — so the rules differ by jurisdiction.