Photo of Corey Cohen

Orlando Attorneys Advising On Mugshot Removal

At The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates, we understand the importance of not having your mugshot plastered all over the internet. Potential employers and others are able to see such images by simply searching for your name online, leading to embarrassment and loss of employment opportunities.

To add insult to injury, many individuals and organizations put mugshots online primarily to make money from other people’s legal incidents. These practices are especially concerning to people who are never charged or convicted after an arrest.

Thankfully, a newly revised state law provides a remedy for people whose mugshots are displayed on the internet by commercial entities. To speed up the process of getting your mugshot removed and to ensure compliance with all requirements of this law, consult with a lawyer at our firm.

Mugshot Removal FAQ

We are here to provide information and help. Learn about the new mugshot removal law and get answers to other commonly asked questions on this topic below.

Why do I need a lawyer to remove my mugshot?

Many companies that post people’s mugshots online have charged a lot of money to have mugshots removed from their websites. A Florida law passed a few years ago required these private companies to remove the mugshots as long as a person was not convicted of the charges. If the photos were not taken down within 10 days, there was a $1,000 a day penalty to be deposited in Florida’s General Revenue Fund.

In response to the passage of this law, many mugshot publishing companies stopped charging to remove the photos and information. Therefore, they contended they were under no obligation to take them down.

However, a recent revision of the law empowers people whose mugshots have been published unscrupulously to have them removed simply by requesting removal. The law specifies that the rules apply to any person or entity “whose primary business model is the publishing and disseminating of arrest booking photographs for a commercial purpose or pecuniary gain.” These rules broaden the applicability of the mugshot removal law.

An attorney on your side can help you take advantage of the full power of this law. Trying to do so on your own may result in delays or missed opportunities to bring a lawsuit.

Does the mugshot removal law have more teeth now?

Florida means business regarding the proper – and improper – uses of mugshots. Posting them online or redistributing them in defiance of the new law will not be tolerated. A previous mugshot removal law became effective July 1, 2018. The new version with harsher consequences for noncompliance becomes effective on Oct. 1, 2021. The newest version of the law clarifies that:

  • Individuals or entities that have received requests to remove mugshots not only must remove them but also may not republish or redistribute them.
  • Republishing or redistributing a mugshot after receiving a proper removal request will result in a $5,000 a day penalty.
  • The person whose mugshot is in question may bring a civil lawsuit against people or organizations that do not remove the mugshots upon request.

When you hire an attorney at The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates, we will make all efforts to get your mugshots removed permanently. We will help ensure that your request meets the law’s specifications. We will then reach out to each mugshot company on your behalf and work on getting them removed forever. If warranted, we will help you bring a lawsuit against a repeat offender.

If you or someone you know has their mugshot on the internet, contact our office so we can help get these removed.

We have successfully gotten mugshots removed for many of our clients and have allowed them to move on with their life after criminal charges have been dismissed or resolved.

Our team of attorneys and staff have 50 years of legal experience and will walk you through every step of the process. We will take the stress away from having to deal with these companies and do it for you. An online entity that misuses your mugshot may be made responsible to pay your attorney fees in addition to civil penalties of $1,000 to $5,000 per day.

Should I get my arrest sealed or expunged?

If you are eligible to get your case sealed or expunged or have already gotten your case sealed or expunged, this will also help clear up your online presence. Even if your charges were dismissed or you were not convicted and received a withhold of adjudication, unless you seal or expunge your criminal case, the arrest and information regarding the charge will still show up on background checks and clerk of court websites. This is also a service we could help you with. We have handled hundreds of sealing and expungements throughout central Florida.

Our office handles criminal cases from beginning to end in both state and federal courts. If you or a loved one needs a lawyer for any criminal charge, we will ready to defend you. No case is too big or too small. We represent people charged with offenses ranging from driving with a suspended license to murder charges. Our lawyers are AV rated* and have received many other awards in the line of criminal defense.

Free, Confidential Initial Consultations

Do not give employers a reason to turn you down because of an improperly posted mugshot. Call The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen & Associates in downtown Orlando for help with mugshot removal. We offer reasonable rates, and flexible payment options may be available. Reach us at 407-246-0066 or send an email today.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories — legal ability and general ethical standards.