How to Remove a Mugshot From Facebook (and Google)

Reviewed by Joseph Chierotti, CEO, Defamation Defenders · Updated October 2026 · 7 min read

Short answer

Start with the agency that posted it. Many police and sheriff’s departments will remove a booking photo from their Facebook page on request, especially if the charges were dismissed, reduced, or expunged, and some states now limit how long agencies can keep mugshots on social media. Reporting the post to Facebook rarely works on its own because an accurate arrest post usually doesn’t break Facebook’s rules. Then remove the copies that mugshot sites and Google picked up.

Key takeaways

The posting agency controls its Facebook page, so ask the agency first.
A dismissal, acquittal, or expungement makes your request much stronger.
California law limits how long agencies may keep booking photos for many nonviolent offenses on social media.
Comments, shares, and screenshots can spread a post even after the original is gone.
Mugshot websites and Google are separate removals.

Table Of Content

Why your mugshot is on Facebook

Many law enforcement agencies post daily booking photos or “wanted” posts on their Facebook pages. Local news pages and community groups often share them. Those posts can rank on Google for your name and stay up long after your case is resolved.

How to get a mugshot removed from Facebook

Find the original post

Note the page, the date, and the post URL. Check whether news pages or groups shared it.

Gather your documents

Court disposition, dismissal, acquittal, or expungement order if you have one.

Contact the agency

Email or call the department’s public information officer and ask them to remove the post. Be brief, polite, and attach your documents.

Ask sharers to remove copies

News pages and group admins often remove shared posts when the original comes down.

Report to Facebook if it breaks rules

Comments with harassment, threats, or private information can be reported to Meta.

Clean up the rest

Remove copies from mugshot sites and request removal of dead pages from Google.

Laws that limit mugshots on social media

Some states have restricted mugshot posting. California, for example, requires police departments and sheriff’s offices to remove booking photos for many nonviolent offenses from their social media within 14 days, with limited exceptions. Several states also restrict commercial mugshot websites that charge for removal. Rules vary, so check your state or ask a local attorney.

Want your mugshot gone everywhere?

We remove mugshots from Facebook pages, mugshot websites, and Google, with a firm quote up front, pay after removal available, and free re-removal if a mugshot page reposts it.

See Mugshot Removal Call 1-800-785-1749

Don’t forget mugshot sites and Google

Arrest photos posted on Facebook often get copied to mugshot websites and indexed by Google Images. Removing the Facebook post alone usually isn’t enough. See our guides on removing mugshots from Google Images and our mugshot removal service.

Facebook mugshot FAQs

Can I get my mugshot taken off Facebook?

Often, yes. Ask the agency that posted it, especially if your charges were dismissed or expunged. Some states require agencies to remove certain booking photos.

Will Facebook remove a police mugshot post?

Rarely on its own, since accurate arrest posts usually don’t break Facebook’s rules. The posting agency can remove it.

Is it legal for police to post mugshots on Facebook?

In most states, yes, but some states limit it. California requires removal of many nonviolent booking photos from social media within 14 days.

What about shares and comments?

Ask the pages or groups that shared it to delete their copies; most do once the original is gone.

Will removing the Facebook post remove it from Google?

Google drops the page once it’s gone, but copies on mugshot sites need separate removal.

Get your mugshot removed

Send us the links where your mugshot appears. We’ll quote each one and tell you how fast it can come down.

Get My Free Quote Call 1-800-785-1749

Defamation Defenders is an online reputation management company, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice.