Mugshots.com is a "Google for Mugshots"
The problem: Some governmental offices (unfortunately not all of them) publish Official Records, specifically booking records, mugshots. In most cases the data is hard to find and/or completely inaccessible via text searches. To this day, no central repository of all these records is publically available. We ask, what good are public records that no one sees?
The solution: Mugshots.com is a search engine for Official Law Enforcement records, specifically arrest records and booking photographs, mugshots. Originally collected and distributed by Law Enforcement agencies, booking records are considered and legally recognized as public records, in the public domain. Mugshots.com reproduces and republishes these Official Records in their original form ("as is") under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and various other state and federal Fair Use and Media Rights.
As the leading authority on Mugshots worldwide, Mugshots.com is fully committed to public safety.
Mugshots.com: Purpose
Publishing: We publish over 7,250crime stories a year
Data Storage: We provide a central repository of booking records
Accessibility: We provide superior Indexing and Search capabilities of booking records
What people are saying
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, America's Toughest Sheriff, on public display of mugshots on the web: "I think it's a great law enforcement technique." We agree.
Canyon County Sheriff Chris Smith says online mugshots provide an important public service. "It benefits victims, they can check to see if a person has been arrested relating to their crime or if an individual is released, they're able to find out if they're out of custody." - source: kboi2
Larry Page, Google Co-Founder, says: "Information Wants To Be Found". We could have not said it any better.
Legitimate public interest
Some have asked us, what is the legitimate public interest in publishing booking records, mugshots? It's too long for this page, but if you're interested in the subject, we encourage you to explore this blog post on our site.
A picture worth a thousand words, and a mugshot worth much more
At Mugshots.com we believe each incident with the law tells a story. Who is this person? What was he arrested for? Is this really happening in my neighborhood? Is my child safe? All these questions are valid, and sometimes an arrest record cannot answer them all. In collaboration with our community we're able to shed more light on these pressing issues.
Journalism must evolve: Mugshots.com is at the forefront of journalism, innovating on traditional journalism concepts with our unique approach. To learn more about our unique approach we invite you to read our Curated Journalism article on our blog.
Mugshot: Defined
"A photograph of usually a person's head and especially face; specifically : a police photograph of a suspect's face or profile." - Merriam Webster dictionary
In Criminal Law, a mugshot is a booking photograph taken during investigation. It isn't an accusation nor an admission. Regardless of case resolution, the arrest (or other incident with the law) has happened, and a booking photograph was taken. This by itself is true and factual and this is what a mugshot represents. It does not represent a case resolution, guilty plea, or not guilty plea.
What people are saying about Mugshots?
"People enjoy looking at these photos and not only that but some actually call it in and they do get caught. So yes when people ask if it works, yes it works!" - Andrew P. Thomas, Maricopa County Attorney and First Public Billboard Creator of Mug Shots
"Chula Vista, California police officers…tracked down a San Diego man in an assault case using witness statements that the assailant was white and had an artificial leg. The suspect's picture was later picked out from a Mug Shot lineup online." - Contreras-Sweet, CA Secretary of DMV
"Pepsi and Coca Cola are using it to sell their products. Why can't we use it to help catch criminals?" Shelby County Detective Matthew Keaton on posting Mugshots on social networking sites
MORE ...
"Within three weeks, they were married. What Cat didn't know was that her new husband, James E. Mcintosh Junior, was on the website Mugshots.com, under multiple aliases including Michael S. Reed."
WOMAN LOSES LIFE SAVINGS TO SWINDLER, COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF CHECKED MUGSHOTS.COM FIRST
In the news:Authenticating the alleged GMA mugshots(mugshot)
"And like the Founders, who knew about secret trials and Star Chamber conspiracies, let’s not assume that government, any government, is always a benevolent captor. In too many places around the world, people simply “disappear” after arrests. In our own nation, tactics such as rendition of terrorism suspects to other countries and secret court dockets have evolved in the post-9/11 era. The government’s power to take away a person’s liberty should always be accompanied by the highest possible level of accountability and transparency. Public access to routine booking photos would seem an efficient, effective way toward that goal."
- Gene Policinski, First Amentdmant Center
Yes, Mugshots.com is now on Facebook, and on Twitter
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