How Mugshot Sites Are Exploiting Non-U.S. Hosting to Avoid Legal Action

May 21, 2025 Legal Tips

When someone is arrested, their mugshot becomes part of the public record. For decades, this information stayed buried in physical files, rarely accessed unless someone made a formal request.

That changed with the internet.

Now, mugshot websites collect these public records and post them online for anyone to find. For many people, a single mistake, misunderstanding, or false accusation can haunt them indefinitely, even if charges are dropped or they were never convicted.

And getting that content removed? It’s not easy.

These sites don’t just survive—they thrive. Many remain online and untouched even after court orders and legislation targeting their practices. The secret? They’ve figured out how to stay beyond the law’s reach by hosting their sites outside the United States.

The Business of Mugshots

Sites like Mugshots.com, BustedNewspaper, and Arrests.org gather booking photos and arrest information from law enforcement agencies across the U.S., then republish that content on their platforms.

The information they use is public, but the controversy begins with how they present and monetize it.

Many sites rank well on Google, especially for individual name searches. And they often charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars to have content removed, capitalizing on people’s desperation to restore their reputation.

They claim it’s just public information. But for someone looking for a job, applying for housing, or trying to move on from a past mistake, it can feel like digital blackmail.

This model has drawn criticism and lawsuits. Several states have attempted to pass laws banning or restricting these practices. Yet enforcement remains difficult, especially when the operators move their hosting overseas.

How Offshore Hosting Shields Mugshot Sites

When a mugshot site faces legal threats or new regulations, the most common next step is to move its web hosting to a country outside the U.S. where local privacy laws are weaker or enforcement cooperation is limited.

Legal reach ends at the border: U.S. courts only have jurisdiction over websites hosted or operated within the country. If a court issues a takedown order and the content is hosted abroad, there’s often no precise mechanism to enforce that ruling.

Domain records are hidden or misleading. Site operators often register their domains using privacy protection services or foreign registrars. Contact information is frequently fake or disconnected. WHOIS lookups yield no helpful information, making identifying the individuals or entities behind the site difficult.

No obligation to comply: Countries that don’t have mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) or data-sharing agreements with the U.S. typically won’t enforce an American court’s order. Even when treaties exist, compliance can take months—or longer—and some jurisdictions may ignore the request.

Sites can easily rebrand: Even if a website does come under pressure, operators can register a new domain, reupload the duplicate content, and continue their operations with minimal interruption. This constant cycle of domain-hopping frustrates victims and makes legal action feel like a game of whack-a-mole.

Real-World Consequences

The damage caused by these mugshot websites is not abstract—it’s personal.

A single image tied to an arrest, even one that didn’t result in a conviction, can dominate search results and color how others perceive someone. Job offers disappear, lease applications are denied, and friendships and relationships grow strained.

It’s not just about embarrassment. It’s about losing control of how the world sees you.

People have shared stories of having to explain their mugshot repeatedly—to employers, clients, and family members. Many face increased anxiety, depression, or long-term emotional stress. And because these websites are often anonymous and unresponsive, there’s rarely a path for recourse.

The sense of helplessness is overwhelming for those who’ve already paid to remove a photo from one site, only to see it pop up again on another mirror site a few months later.

Legislative Efforts and Their Limits

In response to public pressure, many states have started drafting laws that target mugshot exploitation directly.

Some notable efforts include:

• California: Assembly Bill 1475 prohibits websites from charging a fee to remove mugshots.
• Florida: Passed legislation that makes it unlawful for mugshot websites to solicit payment in exchange for removal.
• New York: Restricts publication of mugshots unless there’s a clear law enforcement need or ongoing investigation.
• Georgia, Oregon, Texas, and others: Have enacted laws prohibiting the commercial use of mugshots or requiring prompt removal under certain circumstances.

These laws represent real progress, but their effectiveness is often limited to companies operating within U.S. borders. Foreign entities hosting mugshot sites remain out of reach.

Even when individuals win judgments in U.S. courts, those rulings mean little if the site operator is anonymous and uncooperative overseas. Legal tools can only go so far without global standards or enforceable treaties.

What You Can Do About It

While the system isn’t perfect, individuals still have several options for pushing back:

1. Work with a qualified attorney: Some lawyers specialize in online defamation, privacy law, and public record abuse. They may be able to send legal demands, identify hosting providers, or file lawsuits, particularly if the site has any U.S. presence or ties.

2. Use a reputation management company: These services specialize in content removal, suppression, and strategic publishing. Many have relationships with specific mugshot sites or know which ones will negotiate. They also help flood search results with positive content so that harmful links are pushed down.

3. Submit a request to Google: Google allows removal requests for certain types of sensitive personal information, including non-consensual images and in some cases, mugshots—particularly when they involve outdated or resolved legal cases.

4. Collect documentation: Take screenshots, save timestamps, and keep records of any attempts to contact the site. This documentation can help lawyers build a stronger case or serve as evidence in official complaints to hosting providers, search engines, or government agencies.

5. Support reform: Staying informed, contacting your state representatives, or contributing to digital rights organizations can help advance broader policy changes. The greater public awareness and pressure lawmakers feel, the more likely they are to advocate for stronger enforcement tools or national legislation.

Final Thoughts

Mugshot websites exploit a loophole in the law. They take technically public information and repurpose it in a way that causes lasting harm to individuals. When these sites shift their hosting overseas, they become even harder to regulate, making it nearly impossible for people to reclaim their reputations.

But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost.

Change is happening—slowly, but steadily. States are passing laws. Legal experts are finding new angles to challenge offshore platforms. Reputation management firms are developing strategies that work even in complex cases.

Most importantly, people are no longer staying silent.

If you or someone you know is affected by a mugshot website, you don’t have to face it alone. There are people, tools, and services available that can help you take control back and start moving forward.

Your worst moment shouldn’t define your life. And with the right action, it doesn’t have to.