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Why Mugshot Removal in Georgia Matters
In Georgia, like many other states, mugshots are considered public records. This means they can be accessed, published, and shared—sometimes without your knowledge or consent.
Unfortunately, mugshot websites profit from your embarrassment, often demanding high fees for removal. These images can affect job opportunities, housing, dating, and personal relationships, even when no conviction followed the arrest.
Understanding Georgia’s Mugshot Laws
Georgia has implemented specific laws aimed at curbing mugshot exploitation:
📜 O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5 (Georgia Fair Business Practices Act Amendment)
This law prohibits websites from charging a fee for the removal of mugshots under certain conditions. Here’s what it says:
- If a person was not convicted, the site must remove the mugshot within 30 days of receiving a written request.
- The request must include official documentation showing charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in acquittal.
This law has given Georgians a legal foothold, but enforcement is often slow, and many websites ignore the law outright.
Step-by-Step Process to Remove a Georgia Mugshot
Step 1: Gather Legal Documentation
You’ll need certified paperwork from the court or law enforcement showing:
- Dismissal of charges
- Acquittal
- Expungement or record restriction
If you’re unsure where to obtain this, check with the clerk of court in the Georgia county where the arrest occurred.
Step 2: Send a Removal Request
Send a formal written request to the site displaying your mugshot. Your message should include:
plaintextCopyEditSubject: Mugshot Removal Request per O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5
To Whom It May Concern,
Pursuant to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5), I am requesting the removal of my arrest photo from your website. Attached is official documentation showing that the charges were dismissed and no conviction occurred.
You are required to remove the image within 30 days. Failure to comply may result in legal action.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Arrest Date]
[Booking Agency]
[Contact Info]
📝 Pro Tip: Always send your message via certified mail or email with delivery/read receipts.
Step 3: Monitor Response and Follow Up
By law, the website must remove your image within 30 days. If they do not:
- File a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division
- Consider seeking civil remedies in small claims or superior court
How to Suppress Mugshots from Google Search Results
Even if the mugshot is taken down, it may remain cached in Google for weeks or months. You can:
- Use Google’s Outdated Content Tool
→ Submit removal request - Build Positive Content
Publish blogs, press releases, LinkedIn articles, or portfolio content under your name to push down negative results. - Engage a Reputation Management Service
Experts like Defamation Defenders specialize in creating SEO-optimized content and legal takedown strategies.
When to Hire a Mugshot Removal Attorney
If your situation involves:
- Mugshot websites that ignore legal removal requests
- Repeat offenses across multiple platforms
- Anonymous uploads or harassment
- Missed job opportunities or serious financial harm
Then legal intervention may be warranted.
While attorneys can be expensive, Georgia courts may award attorney’s fees and damages if you prove unlawful conduct under state law.
Mugshot Removal Services: Are They Legit?
Some third-party services claim to remove mugshots—often for hefty fees. Be cautious.
🚩 Red Flags:
- Guarantees of instant removal
- Demands for cash app or untraceable payments
- No terms of service or company info listed
For reliable help, choose a transparent company like Defamation Defenders, which uses legal tools, SEO strategies, and platform-specific policies to remove or suppress harmful content.
Georgia County-Specific Mugshot Concerns
Georgia has 159 counties, and mugshots may be posted on local sheriff websites or syndicated to third-party outlets.
Here’s a breakdown of common counties and their mugshot practices:
| County | Mugshot Published by Sheriff? | Third-Party Syndication |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton | Sometimes | Yes |
| Cobb | Yes | Yes |
| DeKalb | No | Occasionally |
| Gwinnett | Yes | Frequently |
You may need to contact the local sheriff’s office in addition to private sites.
What If the Mugshot Is Still Online After Removal?
Sometimes, mugshots resurface or are mirrored across other sites. Here’s what to do:
- Document everything: Keep emails, screenshots, and certified letters
- File DMCA takedown notices if they’re using your name or image without permission
- Use Google Alerts to monitor your name for new posts
- Re-request removal for each instance
Common Georgia Mugshot Sites
These sites frequently publish Georgia booking photos:
- mugshots.zone
- bustednewspaper.com
- jailbase.com
- georgiamugshots.net
Most of these claim to honor Georgia law, but compliance is inconsistent.
What to Do If You Were Convicted
Even with a conviction, you may still pursue content suppression. Options include:
- Expungement or record restriction (for eligible offenses under Georgia law)
- Reputation management services
- Search engine de-indexing of URLs containing your name and conviction
Defamation Defenders: Georgia’s Mugshot Suppression Ally
At Defamation Defenders, we’ve helped thousands of clients:
- Remove arrest photos from Google, Bing, and Yahoo
- Suppress outdated booking records from third-party sites
- Monitor web results to protect professional reputation
- Submit legal notices under Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act
🛡️ Request a confidential consultation to see how we can help clear your name and restore your reputation.
FAQ: Georgia Mugshot Removal
Yes, but they are not allowed to charge removal fees under Georgia law.
Indefinitely—unless removed by request or court order.
Google doesn’t host mugshots, but it can remove outdated search results through its removal tool if the source content has been taken down.
Yes, under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.5 if they refuse removal after legal documentation is provided.
Yes, but it requires takedown from the source website and request to Google for deindexing.
Not always, but you may pursue suppression strategies while you await expungement eligibility.
If you qualify under Georgia law and self-file, yes. Otherwise, legal or reputation services may incur fees.
Rarely. Once published, mugshots tend to resurface unless removed and suppressed through ongoing reputation management.
You may need to pursue removal via national legal action or use SEO suppression services if the site ignores Georgia law.
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