Why Case Status Codes Don’t Update Mugshot Pages

February 18, 2026 Legal Tips

You check your court record.
The charges were dismissed.
Maybe the case was expunged.

But your mugshot online is still there.

You search for your name on Google. The same mugshot appears in Google search results. The page looks current. The arrest information is still posted. And anyone who finds online results may assume you were convicted.

That disconnect is common. And it frustrates many people.

Here’s why case status codes don’t update mugshot pages — and what you can actually do about it.

The Core Problem: Arrest Records vs. Court Outcomes

Mugshots are generally treated as public records unless a specific law says otherwise.

That matters.

When someone is arrested, a booking photo is taken. That mug shot becomes part of the arrest records. Commercial mugshot websites scrape arrest records and photographs from police departments or jail databases. They publish that data on their site.

But the arrest is not the same as a conviction.

A charge can be:

• dropped
• dismissed
• reduced
• never prosecuted
• expunged later

Court case status codes update inside court systems. But most mugshot sites do not sync with court databases.

Even when criminal records show “dismissed” or “expunged,” mugshot pages that have not been updated continue to appear in search results.

Why Mugshot Pages Are Not Updated

There are three main reasons.

1. Mugshot Websites Scrape — They Don’t Sync

Commercial mugshot websites collect arrest data from public sources. They scrape it once. Then they publish it.

They rarely pull fresh court data later.

If charges are dropped, the site owner usually does not go back and edit the page. The record stays as originally posted.

That’s why mugshot pages that haven’t been updated remain visible long after the court outcome changes.

2. There Is No Legal Obligation to Monitor Updates

Most mugshot sites are not legally required to track every case outcome.

Unless a state law says otherwise, mugshots are public records. That gives site owners broad ability to publish and keep them online.

Some state laws restrict access to mugshots to protect privacy or ongoing investigations. Several states have passed laws restricting the release of booking photos to prevent misuse. Others limit or ban fees for mugshot removal.

But legal options vary depending on:

• where you were arrested
• where the website is hosted
• which state law applies

There is no national automatic update system.

3. Money Is Involved

Many mugshot websites earn money by charging fees for removal or “reputation management” services.

That’s the uncomfortable truth.

Some sites operate in a way that many describe as extortionate. They publish mugshots and then charge to remove them.

In response, several states have enacted laws to protect individuals from mugshot extortion. Florida, for example, has a 10-day limit on removal requests in certain situations. Some states prohibit websites from charging fees to remove mugshots.

Major payment processors have cut ties with some predatory platforms.

But not all websites follow the same rules.

Why This Matters for Your Reputation

Mugshot publication raises privacy concerns because it shows an arrest, not a conviction.

To the average person, that difference isn’t obvious.

When someone sees a mugshot in Google search results, they often assume guilt. That undermines the presumption of innocence.

Having your mugshot online can:

• harm job opportunities
• damage personal relationships
• trigger inaccurate background checks
• hurt sales if you run a business
• affect credibility

Even if charges were dropped. Even if nothing illegal happened beyond the arrest.

The presence of outdated mugshots online can leave a digital footprint that follows you for years.

Why Even Expungement Doesn’t Fix Everything

Expungement means removing all records related to a case from your public criminal record.

But here’s the catch.

Even if your record is expunged, your mugshot may still appear on some websites.

Why?

Because mugshot websites copied and stored the data when it was still public.

Expungement affects court records. It does not automatically force third-party websites to remove content.

That’s where mugshot removal becomes a separate process.

How to Remove Mugshots from the Internet

Start simple.

Step 1: Contact the Website Directly

Go to the site hosting the mugshot.

Look for:

• an opt-out form
• a record removal option
• a contact page
• a removal request link

Submit a written request. Include:

• your full name
• arrest date
• case number
• proof that charges were dismissed or dropped
• court paperwork

Attach official proof. Courts and jail agencies can confirm the outcome.

Some websites allow you to remove mugshots without a fee. Others may demand money.

Before you pay anything, check your state law.

Step 2: Check Your State’s Mugshot Laws

Some states:

• prohibit charging a fee for removal
• restrict publication after dismissal
• allow you to sue if a site refuses to comply

If a site demands money in a state where that is illegal, you may have legal leverage.

Consult a lawyer if needed. Legal rights vary by jurisdiction.

Step 3: Request Removal from Google (If Applicable)

If the mugshot has already been deleted from a website, but still appears in Google search results, you can request removal through Google.

Google does not remove public records easily. But it may remove:

• outdated pages
• content that no longer exists
• certain sensitive images

Search engines index pages. They do not control what site owners publish.

Step 4: Contact the Jail or Sheriff’s Office

If your mugshot was posted directly on a local police or jail site, you can request removal.

Some jails have removed mugshots after scammers used them to target families for bail money.

Newsrooms and police departments are reducing the publication of mugshots to avoid reinforcing stereotypes and causing privacy harm.

You can contact the jail and ask whether removal is possible.

Should You Pay for Mugshot Removal Services?

There are services that offer to remove mugshots for a fee.

Some are legitimate. Some are not.

Victims of mugshot websites may be forced to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to remove their images.

Before paying:

• confirm your legal rights
• check if your state bans removal fees
• try direct contact first
• consult a lawyer if necessary

Be careful of promises that guarantee permanent deletion everywhere online.

No one can control every website on the internet.

Why This Problem Is Getting Worse — And Better

Mugshot pages are not being updated frequently partly because:

• new state laws limit public release
• privacy concerns are growing
• law enforcement agencies are publishing fewer booking photos
• extortion crackdowns are increasing

At the same time, old content remains online.

Search engines prioritize relevance and authority, not fairness.

That means outdated arrest information can rank high in Google search results even after dismissal.

But laws are evolving. Courts are addressing abuse. Payment processors are pulling support from predatory sites.

There is progress.

Final Thoughts

If your case was dismissed, expunged, or dropped, and your mugshot online still appears in Google search results, you are not alone.

The reason is usually simple:

Mugshot websites scrape arrest records once.
They rarely update them.
And sometimes, money keeps them online.

Focus on:

• confirming your official court record
• documenting proof
• submitting formal removal requests
• checking state laws
• consulting a lawyer when needed

Protecting your reputation takes effort. But understanding how the system works helps you move forward with clarity — not panic.

And that’s the first step in reputation management that actually makes sense.