We are not affiliated with Google. Call (844) 272-0280 to talk to a specialist from a online reputation and content removal company
Having a mugshot or arrest record show up online can be extremely damaging to your reputation. Whether it’s visible on search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo, the presence of these records can affect your job prospects, social interactions, and overall standing in the community. If you're looking to remove Ohio mugshots from the internet, this guide will walk you through the necessary steps, Ohio's legal landscape surrounding mugshot removal, and how to find Ohio mugshots online for free.
In March 2017, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill that made it illegal for websites to charge fees to remove mugshots. The law was created to address the growing problem of mugshot websites that were profiting off of individuals’ misfortune by charging high fees for removal. The bill aimed to stop these predatory practices and ensure that people would not be financially burdened when seeking to remove their mugshots online.
However, while this bill represents a step forward, it does not automatically guarantee the removal of your mugshot from all websites. Many third-party websites still republish public arrest records and mugshots from Ohio’s county sheriff’s offices, and the process of getting them removed can require proactive steps.
If your mugshot appears on a website and they demand payment to remove it, you can take legal action under this law. However, not all websites are covered, and many operate in gray legal areas, so it’s essential to explore both legal and paid removal options when necessary.
If you’re searching for old Ohio mugshots, there are several regional and statewide databases that feature arrest logs and mugshot galleries. These websites often collect booking photos from local jails, county sheriff offices, and police departments in Ohio. Some websites will display these records for free, making them accessible to anyone with internet access.
Here are some common places where you might find Ohio mugshots online:
County Sheriff’s Office Websites
Most county sheriff's departments in Ohio maintain online arrest logs or mugshot galleries that are updated regularly. For example, Cuyahoga County, Franklin County, and Hamilton County all provide public access to arrest records.
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
The state’s Department of Rehabilitation and Correction provides an offender search tool that allows the public to search for individuals who are incarcerated in Ohio’s state prisons. While this tool is not specific to mugshots, it often includes inmate photos.
Mugshot Aggregator Sites
Sites like Arrests.org and BustedMugshots.com collect mugshot data from across Ohio and allow visitors to search for arrest records by name or location. However, these websites are notorious for charging hefty fees to remove or update information.
Local News Outlets
Many Ohio news websites feature mugshot galleries as part of their reporting on local crime. For instance, sites like cleveland.com and daytondailynews.com often include photos in their crime sections, which may appear in Google search results.
Learn about other ways to Lookup Mugshots Online for Free
To remove Ohio mugshots from online platforms, you will need to follow a series of steps that address both the source of the mugshot and its visibility in search engine results.
Contact the Source
The first step is to reach out directly to the website hosting the mugshot. Many websites have removal policies that require either legal documentation, proof of innocence, or expungement orders to remove the mugshot.
File a Legal Request
If your mugshot is hosted on a site demanding payment for removal, consider invoking Ohio’s mugshot law by contacting an attorney. Legal requests, particularly if a court has expunged your record, can compel websites to take down mugshots.
Expungement
If your arrest did not result in a conviction or if your record was expunged, you have a strong case for getting your mugshot removed. Expungement means that the legal record of your arrest has been sealed or destroyed, making it easier to argue that the mugshot should not be publicly available.
Reputation Management Services
In some cases, individuals may choose to hire reputation management services or online content removal services that specialize in arrest records, criminal background records and online mugshots, such as RemoveOnlineInformation.com, Remove Arrests, RemoveYourMugshot.com, and Mugshot Removal Service, to handle the process of contacting websites and search engines on their behalf. These services typically work by removing harmful content and burying negative search results.
Search Engine Deindexing
After you’ve successfully removed your mugshot from the original website, the next step is to ensure it is no longer indexed by search engines. You can request search engines like Google to deindex a URL through their legal removal request forms. Keep in mind that while search engines may remove URLs, they do not control the content of third-party sites.
1. Is it legal for websites to display my Ohio mugshot?
Yes, mugshots are part of public records in Ohio, which means websites can legally display them. However, charging a fee for removal is illegal under Ohio's 2017 mugshot law.
2. Can I remove my Ohio mugshot for free?
In some cases, yes. If your record has been expunged or the mugshot is posted without your consent on a website that violates Ohio’s law, you may be able to get it removed for free. Otherwise, paid services may be necessary.
3. How can I find old Ohio mugshots online?
You can search for Ohio mugshots through county sheriff’s office websites, state databases, or third-party aggregators like Arrests.org. Local news outlets may also feature mugshots.
4. Can I get my mugshot removed from Google?
Yes, but first, you must have the mugshot removed from the website hosting it. Once removed, you can request Google to deindex the link to ensure it doesn’t show up in search results.
5. What is expungement and how does it help with mugshot removal?
Expungement is a legal process where a person's arrest record is sealed or erased. If your record has been expunged, you have a strong case for getting your mugshot removed from most websites.
Whether you're trying to remove Ohio mugshots from the internet or looking to protect your online reputation, the process can be complicated. It's essential to understand Ohio's mugshot laws and explore various removal options, including expungement, legal action, and reputation management services. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can reduce the online visibility of your mugshot or get it all together removed, thereby safeguarding your personal information and privacy online.
For professional assistance in removing mugshots, contact a reputation/privacy company that experienced in mugshot removal service and offers affordable services to remove mugshots images and arrest record information from the internet, such as RemoveOnlineInformation.com, Defamation Defenders and Remove-Arrests.org or to learn how we can help manage your online reputation and eliminate damaging search results.