Michigan Mugshot Removal & Expungement Guide
How mugshot removal, expungement, and record sealing actually work under Michigan law.
Michigan does not currently have a statute specifically requiring commercial mugshot websites to remove a photo on request. If you've seen a specific statute number cited for this online, treat it with caution — several low-quality sites circulate a citation that doesn't actually exist in the Michigan Compiled Laws. Removal in Michigan relies on direct negotiation with the publisher and search-engine de-indexing, not a statutory deadline.
Michigan's "Clean Slate" law (MCL 780.621 et seq.) is one of the more automatic expungement systems in the country. Since April 2023, many eligible convictions are set aside automatically, without filing a petition:
- Misdemeanors punishable by under 92 days: No limit on number, 7-year wait, automatic
- Misdemeanors punishable by 93+ days: Up to 4, 7-year wait, automatic
- Felonies: Up to 2, 10-year wait, automatic
- Traditional petition-based set-aside: Up to 3 felonies total, roughly 3–7 years depending on the offense mix
Locate every copy of your mugshot online
Michigan arrest records are frequently republished across multiple commercial aggregators.
Send a direct removal request to each publisher
Since Michigan has no removal-mandate statute, a documented direct request is your starting point, not a guarantee.
Pursue search-engine de-indexing where a site won't cooperate
This is typically the more effective lever in Michigan given the absence of a state removal law.
Check whether your record qualifies for automatic Clean Slate expungement
Even where automatic, this restricts access to your official record — it doesn't retroactively force a site to remove an already-published photo.
We handle removal cases in Michigan the same way we handle every case: locating every copy of your mugshot online, filing takedown requests within 72 hours, pursuing search-engine de-indexing where publishers won't cooperate, and monitoring afterward for reappearances. Every case starts with a free analysis, backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
State law affects your legal options, but it doesn't determine which website is publishing your mugshot. See our site-by-site removal directory for site-specific removal steps once you know where your listing is.
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws summarized here are current as of publication but change frequently — consult a licensed attorney in your state before relying on them for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan have a mugshot removal law?
No. Michigan doesn't currently have a statute requiring commercial mugshot sites to remove a photo on request. Be cautious of sites citing a specific Michigan statute number for this — a commonly repeated citation doesn't actually exist in the Michigan Compiled Laws.
What is Michigan's Clean Slate law?
It's an automatic expungement system (MCL 780.621 et seq.), effective since April 2023, that sets aside many eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions without requiring a petition, subject to waiting periods and exclusions for assaultive and serious offenses.
Will Clean Slate expungement remove my mugshot from a website?
Not on its own. Clean Slate restricts access to your official court record; it doesn't create an obligation for a private mugshot website to remove a photo it already published.
How long does mugshot removal take in Michigan?
There's no statutory deadline to point to, so it depends on the publisher. Our takedown requests typically go out within 72 hours, with de-indexing following in about 5–7 days when direct cooperation isn't enough.
Get Your Michigan Mugshot Removed
Start with a free analysis — we'll confirm exactly what removal takes under your state's laws.