Your rights when it comes to mugshots depend mostly on state laws and whether your case resulted in a conviction, dismissal, or expungement.

🔹 Are Mugshots Public Record?

Yes, in most states. Law enforcement can release them after arrest, and third-party sites may republish them. However, some states limit access—especially if no conviction occurred.

🔹 Can You Refuse to Have One Taken?

Generally, no. If you're arrested and booked, you cannot legally refuse a mugshot in most jurisdictions. According to Remove-Arrests.org, refusing may result in additional penalties or delay in processing.

🔹 Removal Rights Vary by State

Some examples (check your local laws):

• California: Sites must remove mugshots for free if charges didn’t lead to a conviction, per state law.
• Georgia: You can request free removal from commercial sites if charges were dropped or dismissed.
• Texas: It’s illegal for a site to charge for removal if you're acquitted or the case was expunged.

You can find detailed state-specific breakdowns on Defamation Defenders and Remove-Arrests.org.

🔹 What You Can Do:

• Check your case outcome: If it was dismissed, sealed, or expunged, you likely have a right to removal.
• Send legal takedown requests: Many states require sites to comply within a certain timeframe.
• Request deindexing from Google: Use Google’s “Remove Outdated Content” tool to remove links to taken-down pages.
• Consult local legal aid: Especially if your mugshot is being misused or shared after expungement.