On February 26, 2013, Attorney Holden Green was interviewed by Southern California Public Radio (89.3) regarding a topic we have previously covered in the past: online mugshots.
Mugshots posted online can have huge implications for those who are arrested and have their booking photos posted online.
As we previously discussed, this is an emerging problem for anyone who has a brush with the law and is arrested.
As most are aware, an arrest is merely an accusation of a crime, not a conviction. Our court systems are set up to ensure all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This means if you are arrested for assault, but it is later determined you were innocent and acted in self defense, those charges will be dropped as if the incident never happened (at least from a criminal standpoint). However, even though your case has been legally dismissed, websites such as Mugshots.com and JustMugshots.com will continue to retain and circulate your photo and identifying information. Some of this information will be prominently displayed on Page 1 of Google, which can affect potential employment, housing prospects, and create embarrassment for years down the road.
Many mugshot websites will offer to remove the booking photos for a fee. Some will only remove the information contingent that certain criteria is met, one of which is that your criminal record is official expunged or sealed (for those actually convicted of a crime).
Expungement (also known as record clearance) is something the Law Offices of Holden W. Green has handled for Bay Area residents (San Jose, San Francisco, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, etc).
If you have an online mugshot that you need removed, you will need to contact the websites directly to inquire about their removal services. We do not get involved in the deletion of online content. However, if your criminal record needs to be expunged as a requirement for your mugshot to be removed, call our offices at 408-451-8449. We offer a FREE 35 MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION.
Click the link below to listen to Holden Green’s interview:
http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2013/02/26/30679/who-owns-your-mug-shot/
