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Table Of Content
Texas Mugshot Removal Law: What You Need to Know in 2025
Why Texas Mugshot Removal Matters More Than Ever
In Texas, your arrest record — even without a conviction — can appear on Google, mugshot websites, news pages, or social media. Once posted, these images can damage your career, relationships, and future opportunities.
Studies show employers, landlords, and licensing boards routinely search applicants online. A mugshot can unfairly define you even if:
- Charges were dropped
- You were acquitted
- You completed deferred adjudication
- The arrest happened years ago
“In Texas, your arrest does not define you — but unfortunately, mugshot websites often try to profit off your past. Knowing your rights is the first step to taking back control.”
— Defamation Defenders Legal Team
This guide breaks down exactly what the law allows, how to remove your mugshot, and how to protect your online reputation.
Understanding the Texas Mugshot Removal Law (2025 Update)
Texas passed significant legislation to stop mugshot websites from exploiting public records. The primary law is:
Texas Senate Bill 1289 (SB 1289)
SB 1289 requires for-profit mugshot publishers to remove arrest photos within 45 days when:
- The person was not convicted
- Charges were dismissed
- The person was acquitted
- The arrest was eligible for expunction
- The information is inaccurate or misleading
If a mugshot company refuses, they can face:
- Civil penalties
- Attorney General lawsuits
- Court-ordered takedowns
- Financial liability
Who Is Protected Under SB 1289?
The law helps individuals who:
✔ Were arrested but not convicted
✔ Had charges dismissed
✔ Completed diversion programs
✔ Received a “not guilty” verdict
✔ Are eligible for expungement
If you qualify, the site MUST remove the content.
Texas Expungement and Nondisclosure: Key to Mugshot Removal
Texas provides two legal paths for clearing your record:
1. Expunction (Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55)
Expunction erases the arrest and allows you to legally deny it ever happened.
You may qualify if:
- You were never charged
- Charges were dismissed
- You were acquitted
- Someone used your identity fraudulently
- You completed a pretrial diversion program
Once expunged, ALL mugshot sites must remove your record.
2. Order of Nondisclosure (Texas Government Code § 411.071)
This does NOT erase the record but hides it from public view after completing deferred adjudication for certain offenses.
With nondisclosure:
- Arrest info becomes restricted
- Most mugshot websites must remove data
- Employers cannot legally use the record
For a full breakdown of expungement vs. nondisclosure, you can explore:
👉 Online Identity Theft & Privacy Protection
Are Mugshots Public Record in Texas?
Yes — arrest records are public information, but Texas law limits how mugshot sites may use them.
Texas law states that:
- Police departments and jails may release mugshots
- Media outlets may publish mugshots
- For-profit sites must remove mugshots upon request under SB 1289
- Mugshot sites cannot charge for removal
This means you do not have to pay extortion fees to get your photo removed.
How to Remove Your Mugshot From the Internet in Texas (Step-by-Step Guide)
Below is the complete 2025 takedown process.
Step 1: Gather All Mugshot Links and Screenshots
Before removal, document everything:
- URLs
- Screenshots
- Publication dates
- Website names
- Any paid removal requests (illegal under Texas law)
This documentation is essential for legal takedowns and future disputes.
Step 2: Determine Whether Your Case Qualifies
You are eligible for removal if:
✔ You were not convicted
✔ Your case was dismissed
✔ You were acquitted
✔ You completed deferred adjudication
✔ You qualify for expunction
If unsure, Defamation Defenders can evaluate your eligibility.
Step 3: Send Removal Requests Under Texas SB 1289
Texas law requires websites to remove your information within 45 days after receiving your request.
Your request should include:
- Your name
- URL of mugshot
- Case number
- Disposition (dismissed, acquitted, expunged, etc.)
- The law requiring removal (SB 1289)
If they refuse, they are in violation of Texas law.
Step 4: Submit Expunction/Nondisclosure Documents (If Available)
If your record has been sealed or expunged, the website must remove it immediately.
Step 5: Request Removal From Search Engines (Optional)
Once websites delete your mugshot, you should also:
- Request Google to remove cached copies
- Submit removal requests for outdated content
See:
👉 Content Removal Services
Step 6: Suppress Remaining Mugshot Results on Google
Not all sites comply with removal laws — especially those hosted outside the U.S.
This requires ORM suppression to push negative results down.
Suppression includes:
- Publishing authoritative content
- Creating optimized profiles
- Building positive search assets
- Press releases
- SEO content clusters
Explore:
👉 Reputation Repair Services
What Mugshot Websites Must Do Under Texas Law
Mugshot publishers are legally required to:
- Remove inaccurate info
- Remove records eligible for expungement
- Remove dismissed or acquitted cases
- NOT charge removal fees
- Remove data within 45 days of a proper request
If they fail, you may take legal action.
Can You Sue a Mugshot Website in Texas?
Yes. Under SB 1289 and related statutes, you can sue if:
- The site refuses to remove your record
- The website charged money to remove the mugshot
- The information is false or misleading
- The website is operating unlawfully in Texas
You may claim monetary damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief.
How Texas Mugshot Laws Protect Your Reputation
Texas laws recognize that mugshots can have long-term consequences and are often misleading.
These laws help:
✔ Prevent exploitation
✔ Protect job applicants
✔ Reduce reputational harm
✔ Limit the spread of false impressions
✔ Restore privacy and personal dignity
Texas courts understand that a mugshot is not proof of guilt — just documentation of an arrest.
How Defamation Defenders Helps With Texas Mugshot Removal
Defamation Defenders provides full-service mugshot removal, legal takedown support, and search suppression tailored for Texas residents.
Our Services Include:
- Mugshot removal
- Expungement-based removals
- Defamation takedowns
- Data broker removals
- Search engine suppression
- Executive reputation protection
- Crisis management
If your mugshot is harming your reputation, contact us here:
👉 https://defamationdefenders.com/contact/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, but mugshot sites cannot legally charge removal fees and must delete them when required by law.
Indefinitely — unless removed by request or through legal action.
Yes, if they violate privacy rules or are outdated.
Yes. Once expunged, sites must remove them immediately.
It is harder but sometimes possible through suppression or case-specific strategies.
No. Charging a removal fee violates Texas law.
Works Cited (MLA Format)
Texas Legislature Online. Senate Bill 1289 (SB 1289). 2025.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55. Expunction Statutes.
Texas Government Code § 411.071. Orders of Nondisclosure.
Pew Research Center. Public Records and Online Privacy. 2024.
Federal Trade Commission. Background Screening and Consumer Rights. FTC.gov, 2025.
Defamation Defenders. Reputation Repair Services. 2025. https://defamationdefenders.com/reputation-repair-services/.
Defamation Defenders. Content Removal Services. 2025. https://defamationdefenders.com/content-removal/.
