What You Need to Know in Dallas & Collin County

Yes—Mugshot Removal Is Possible. We Do It All the Time.

Before diving into the law, here's the most important thing people need to know:

At Texas Defenders, we have successfully helped many clients remove their mugshots from police department websites, third-party mugshot sites, and social media after we get their cases dismissed.

Once a case is dismissed, rejected, or otherwise resolved in your favor, you often gain legal leverage to demand removal. Our team routinely:

• Contacts police departments directly to request takedowns

• Uses the Texas expunction process to force deletion

• Sends removal demands to Mugshot.com, BustedNewspaper, and similar sites

• Protects clients from unlawful mugshot “pay-to-remove” schemes

If your case is dismissed, you do not have to live with that mugshot online forever.

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Are Police Departments Allowed to Post Mugshots Online?

Generally, yes.

Under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), mugshots become public records once a person is arrested and booked. That means:

• Police departments like Dallas PD and Collin County Sheriff's Office may legally publish mugshots

• They can post them on websites, Facebook, or daily arrest bulletins

• Anyone can request mugshots unless a narrow exception applies

This is why you may see arrest photos regularly posted on local law enforcement Facebook pages across North Texas.

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Why Do Police Post Mugshots Online?

Agencies often claim they release mugshots for:

• Transparency

• Crime awareness

• Community engagement

• Locating suspects or wanted individuals

But posting mugshots before convictions creates serious harm. Most people online assume guilt. Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies often see the photo even if the case is dismissed later.

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Can Websites Like Mugshot.com Post Your Photo?

Yes—but many of these sites operate in a legally questionable space.

Because booking photos are public, private publishers can repost them. However:

• They frequently charge high fees for removal

• They rarely update information when a case is dismissed

• They scrape records automatically, often inaccurately

• They may violate consumer protection laws

Some Texas laws attempted to stop mugshot “extortion,” but court challenges have limited enforcement. Today, sites like Mugshot.com and BustedNewspaper still publish Texas arrest photos openly.

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Are There Different Rules for Facebook Posts?

Not really—if a mugshot is public, a police department can post it on their Facebook page.

The problem is the reach:

• Posts spread fast

• Comment sections can be brutal

• The content lives forever unless removed

• Even false or outdated allegations stay searchable

We have seen cases dismissed within days, yet the arrest photo remains on Facebook for months or years.

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How Mugshot Removal Works After a Dismissal

If your charges have been dismissed, rejected, or you were found not guilty, you may have legal tools to force removal:

✔ Expunction (Complete Deletion)

This is the strongest remedy. Once granted:

• Government agencies must delete all records

• Mugshot websites must remove your photo when notified

• You can legally deny the arrest ever happened

Texas Defenders handles expunctions for clients across Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant counties.

✔ Nondisclosure (Sealing)

If you received certain types of deferred adjudication, you may be eligible to seal your record from public disclosure.

Some mugshot websites will voluntarily remove photos once they receive proof.

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Can You Force Mugshot.com to Remove Your Photo?

Often, yes—especially after hiring us.

Texas law prohibits third-party publishers from charging fees once an expunction is granted. Even without an expunction, Texas Defenders can often negotiate removal by:

• Providing legal documents showing dismissal

• Sending demand letters

• Reporting unlawful conduct to authorities

• Pursuing civil remedies if necessary

Many clients are surprised at how fast we get mugshots taken down once the legal process is in motion.

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Why This Matters in Dallas, Collin County & North Texas

With local police departments increasing their online presence, more people face:

• Public embarrassment

• Loss of job opportunities

• Damage to licensing or immigration cases

• Permanent Google/Facebook records

A single arrest can turn into a permanent digital footprint—but it doesn't have to.

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Texas Defenders Can Help You Clear Your Name

Our team fights to protect clients from the long-term damage of online mugshots. We help with:

• Case dismissal strategies

• Mugshot removal from police and third-party sites

• Expunctions and nondisclosures

• Reputation protection

If your mugshot is online, we can explain your options immediately.

Texas Defenders – Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers
3302 Swiss Circle, Dallas, TX 75204
Phone: 214-306-9696
Serving Dallas, Collin, Denton Tarrant & Bexar Counties