How to Remove Your Mugshot From Arrests.org (Free 2026 Legal Guide)

Arrests.org is part of a category of websites known as "mugshot exploitation" sites — they scrape booking photos and arrest data from publicly-accessible county jail systems and law enforcement databases, then publish them on a high-Google-ranking site that shows up when anyone searches your name. The fundamental problem is that arrest records are public in most U.S. jurisdictions even when charges are later dropped or you are acquitted. Mugshot sites exploit the gap between "arrested" and "convicted" — they can keep your mugshot online for years even after the legal case ends in your favor.

Several states have passed laws targeting this practice. Georgia, California, Oregon, Utah, Texas, Illinois, Colorado, and a handful of others now require mugshot sites to remove records on request and prohibit charging removal fees. Even if your state does not have such a law, you have leverage if your charges were dropped, sealed, or expunged — case-disposition documentation often forces compliance because mugshot sites do not want to be on the wrong side of defamation or libel claims. This guide tells you exactly what to send, who to send it to, and what to do when they refuse.

> Why is my arrest record on Arrests.org?

Arrests.org scrapes mugshots and booking data from publicly-accessible county jail rosters, sheriff department websites, and police booking databases. Under most state freedom-of-information laws, arrest records and booking photos are public records — which means anyone with a web scraper can collect and republish them legally, regardless of whether charges were ever filed, dropped, or proven.

Arrests.org's business model relies on this legal gap. They republish booking data with strong SEO, which makes their pages rank highly in Google for your name. Then they monetize through ad views and (historically) through "removal fee" extortion, although several states have now outlawed charging for mugshot removal. The site has no traditional opt-out form because their business depends on making removal difficult.

> What to do

1. 1

   Find your listing on Arrests.org and document it

   Search arrests.org for your name and confirm your record is there. Note the exact URL of your listing page. Take screenshots of: the listing itself, the mugshot, the listed charges, and any case-status information shown. Save these locally — they are evidence for any future legal escalation. Do this BEFORE contacting Arrests.org because they may remove or alter the page after you reach out, which destroys your evidence.

   Search Arrests.org →
2. 2

   Check your state's mugshot removal law

   Several states have laws specifically requiring mugshot sites to remove records on request or prohibiting fees for removal: Georgia (HB 845), California (Civil Code § 1798.91.1), Oregon (ORS 30.835), Utah (Code § 17-22-30), Texas (Business and Commerce Code § 109), Illinois (730 ILCS 5/5-4-7), Colorado (CRS § 18-12-105.7), and others have similar laws. Search "[your state] mugshot removal law" and find the specific statute. If your state has one, you have legal leverage — cite the statute by name in your removal request. If your state does not, you still have leverage if charges were dropped, sealed, or expunged (covered in step 4).

3. 3

   Gather supporting documentation

   Pull together any of the following documents that apply to your case: (1) Court disposition showing charges were dropped or dismissed (request from the court clerk where the case was filed). (2) Acquittal or not-guilty verdict from a trial. (3) Expungement order if your record has been expunged. (4) Sealed-record order if your record has been sealed. (5) Government-issued ID showing your name matches the listing. The stronger your documentation, the harder it is for Arrests.org to refuse the removal request.

4. 4

   Send the removal email to Arrests.org

   Email [email protected] (or whatever contact email is currently listed in the Arrests.org "Removals" or "Contact" page — they sometimes change it). Include: your full legal name, the exact URL of your listing, a clear request for removal, the specific reason (charges dropped / case dismissed / record expunged / state law requires removal), the state law citation if applicable, and attach the supporting documentation as PDFs. Keep the email professional and factual — not emotional. Save a copy of the sent email for your records.

   Email Arrests.org →
5. 5

   Wait 30 days and follow up if needed

   Arrests.org typically responds within 14-30 days for legitimate removal requests with documentation. If you have a strong case (state mugshot law, expungement order, or dismissed charges with documentation), removal is usually granted. If you do not hear back after 30 days, send a polite follow-up email referencing the original request date.

6. 6

   Escalate if Arrests.org refuses or ignores you

   If your state has a mugshot removal law and Arrests.org refuses to comply, file a complaint with your state attorney general. The complaint is usually free and online. For expunged records, the publication is potentially defamatory in many jurisdictions because the record legally no longer exists — consult a lawyer specializing in internet privacy or defamation. Many will send a demand letter for a flat fee ($300-$800), and that letter often resolves the matter without litigation.

7. 7

   Request Google de-indexing as a parallel track

   Even if Arrests.org keeps the page live, you can usually get Google to drop it from search results. Submit a content removal request via Google's content-removal tool, citing reasons like "I was acquitted / charges were dropped" or (for expunged records) "the record has been legally expunged." Google has a specific policy for de-indexing pages about sealed criminal records. This is the fastest practical fix — Google de-indexing makes the page effectively invisible even if Arrests.org refuses to take it down.

   Google Content Removal →

> What to do when Arrests.org will not remove your record

If your initial removal request is ignored or refused, escalate in this order:

(1) File a complaint with your state attorney general. If your state has a mugshot removal law, refusing to remove is a violation that the AG can enforce. Most state AGs accept complaints online. Mention the specific statute in your complaint.

(2) Consult a privacy or defamation lawyer. Many specialize in mugshot removal and offer flat-fee demand-letter services. A lawyer-signed demand letter is dramatically more effective than a self-sent request — mugshot sites typically comply rather than risk a lawsuit. Expect $300-$800 for a demand letter.

(3) Request Google de-indexing on a parallel track. Even if Arrests.org refuses to remove the page, Google can de-index it. For expunged or sealed records, Google has a specific policy that often results in de-indexing within 4-6 weeks. This is often the most practical outcome because the page becoming invisible in Google is the actual goal.

(4) If your state lacks a mugshot law and your case did not result in dismissal or expungement, your options narrow. Reputation-management services (which suppress the Arrests.org listing by promoting other content) are an expensive alternative. Some attorneys also advise pursuing the underlying record through expungement if it is eligible — once expunged, removal demands become much stronger.

(5) DO NOT pay an "expedited removal fee" if Arrests.org asks for one. In states with mugshot laws, charging for removal is illegal. In other states, payment may not actually result in removal — there have been documented cases of mugshot sites accepting payment and then relisting the same record under a slightly different URL.

> Can Arrests.org legally charge me for removal?

In some states, charging fees for mugshot removal is illegal. Georgia, California, Texas, Illinois, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and others have laws prohibiting it. In states without such laws, charging is technically legal but often considered unethical and has been the subject of multiple FTC actions. NEVER pay an "expedited removal fee" without first verifying your state law. If you are in a state that prohibits fees and Arrests.org asks for payment, that itself is grounds for a state AG complaint.

> Will my Arrests.org listing relist after removal?

Generally no — unlike people-search sites that continuously re-ingest data, mugshot sites typically do not re-add records they have already removed, especially if removal was legally compelled. The exception is if you are arrested again, in which case a new booking would create a new record. For most users, an Arrests.org removal is permanent.

> What if my charges were dropped or I was acquitted?

A dismissed or dropped case dramatically strengthens your removal request. Mugshot sites are more cautious about publishing records that ended in non-conviction because of defamation exposure. Always include the court disposition document showing the case outcome. In many jurisdictions, this alone results in removal without legal pressure.

> What if my record was expunged?

Expungement is the strongest possible basis for removal. Once a record is expunged, it legally no longer exists — meaning publication of the expunged record is potentially defamatory and may violate state statute. Mugshot sites almost always comply with expungement-based removal requests because the legal exposure is too high. Include a copy of the expungement order with your removal email.