Montana Mugshot Removal & Expungement Guide
How mugshot removal, expungement, and record sealing actually work under Montana law.
Montana does not currently have a statute requiring commercial mugshot websites to remove a photo on request. A 2021 law (HB 665) restricts law enforcement from releasing booking photos as confidential criminal justice information, but that binds government agencies, not commercial mugshot sites. Removal here relies on direct negotiation with the publisher and search-engine de-indexing.
Montana's expungement statute (MCA Title 46, Chapter 18, Part 11) presumes expungement is available for most offenses once the waiting period is met, unless a serious violent, sexual, or public-safety concern applies.
- Eligible convictions: 5 years since completing your sentence, including financial obligations, with no other conviction in that window
Locate every copy of your mugshot online
Montana arrest records are commonly scraped and republished across multiple commercial aggregators.
Send a direct removal request to each publisher
Without a state mandate to lean on, 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 Montana given the absence of a state removal law.
Pursue expungement where eligible
Clearing your record doesn't force a site to remove an already-published photo, but strengthens your position going forward.
We handle removal cases in Montana 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 Montana have a mugshot removal law?
No. A 2021 law restricts law enforcement from releasing booking photos, but Montana doesn't have a statute requiring commercial mugshot sites to remove a photo on request.
How long do I have to wait to expunge a record in Montana?
Generally 5 years since completing your sentence, including financial obligations, with no other conviction during that window.
Will expungement remove my mugshot from a website?
Not automatically. Expungement restricts access to your official record; a mugshot site that already published your photo has no separate legal obligation to remove it.
How long does mugshot removal take in Montana?
Without a state law setting a deadline, timelines depend on the specific publisher. We typically file takedown requests within 72 hours and pursue de-indexing within about 5-7 days.
Get Your Montana Mugshot Removed
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