Difference between revisions of "Find Mugshots"
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The most memorable part of any arrest record is the mugshot: the photograph of the offender soon after being booked. You can find mugshots online by checking one of many websites. You may also want other arrest record information, which you can find online or by visiting the courthouse. | The most memorable part of any arrest record is the mugshot: the photograph of the offender soon after being booked. You can find mugshots online by checking one of many websites. You may also want other arrest record information, which you can find online or by visiting the courthouse. | ||
| − | [[Category:Law Enforcement]] | + | [[Category: Law Enforcement]] |
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
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#*Select a jail and read how to view mugshots. There might be a link to the jail’s website, where you can search for mugshots. The links will be at the bottom of the page under “Links and Resources,” so scroll all the way down the page. | #*Select a jail and read how to view mugshots. There might be a link to the jail’s website, where you can search for mugshots. The links will be at the bottom of the page under “Links and Resources,” so scroll all the way down the page. | ||
#*Not all jails let you view mugshots online. | #*Not all jails let you view mugshots online. | ||
| − | #Visit your state’s department of corrections website. Every state in the U.S. should have a website, and you can use the inmate locator to find information about the prisoner. Some states will also publish mugshots.< | + | #Visit your state’s department of corrections website. Every state in the U.S. should have a website, and you can use the inmate locator to find information about the prisoner. Some states will also publish mugshots.<ref name="rf1">https://www.checkthem.com/blog/mugshot-lookup-find-mugshot/</ref> |
#*Type “your state” and “department of corrections” into your favorite web browser. | #*Type “your state” and “department of corrections” into your favorite web browser. | ||
#*You can find links to state department of corrections websites here: https://www.usa.gov/corrections. | #*You can find links to state department of corrections websites here: https://www.usa.gov/corrections. | ||
#*At the website, look for a link that says “Prisoner Search,” “Offender Search,” “Prisoner Locator” or something similar. You can usually search by prisoner number or name. | #*At the website, look for a link that says “Prisoner Search,” “Offender Search,” “Prisoner Locator” or something similar. You can usually search by prisoner number or name. | ||
| − | #Search your state’s sex offender registry. In the U.S., every state has a sex offender registry, which you can find by searching on Google. A sex offender registry is a good resource because it will contain mugshots even in states that don’t normally provide mugshots.< | + | #Search your state’s sex offender registry. In the U.S., every state has a sex offender registry, which you can find by searching on Google. A sex offender registry is a good resource because it will contain mugshots even in states that don’t normally provide mugshots.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*You can search using basic information, such as the offender’s name. If you want to see all of the offenders in your area, there should be an option to search by location as well. | #*You can search using basic information, such as the offender’s name. If you want to see all of the offenders in your area, there should be an option to search by location as well. | ||
#* The person must have been convicted of a sex offense for their information to appear in the registry. Accordingly, the number of mugshots might be limited. | #* The person must have been convicted of a sex offense for their information to appear in the registry. Accordingly, the number of mugshots might be limited. | ||
| − | #Check your local sheriff and police department websites. Some law enforcement agencies host mugshots online, which you can view for free. Not many do, however, so this shouldn’t be your first place to check. You’ll need to know the county where the person was booked.<ref | + | #Check your local sheriff and police department websites. Some law enforcement agencies host mugshots online, which you can view for free. Not many do, however, so this shouldn’t be your first place to check. You’ll need to know the county where the person was booked.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Use an app. You can download some apps to your smartphone and search for mugshots. One popular app is JailBase. You can search millions of arrest records for free. The app does not have records for all counties in the U.S., but it is adding to its list daily.<ref>https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jailbase.mobile_app&hl=en</ref> | + | #Use an app. You can download some apps to your smartphone and search for mugshots. One popular app is JailBase. You can search millions of arrest records for free. The app does not have records for all counties in the U.S., but it is adding to its list daily.<ref name="rf2">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jailbase.mobile_app&hl=en</ref> |
===Searching for Arrest Records=== | ===Searching for Arrest Records=== | ||
| − | #Stop into the police station. Your local police station should have arrest records for the city. Stop in during normal business hours to request a report.<ref>https://www.checkthem.com/blog/find-dui-arrest-records/</ref> You may need to fill out a form and pay a processing fee. | + | #Stop into the police station. Your local police station should have arrest records for the city. Stop in during normal business hours to request a report.<ref name="rf3">https://www.checkthem.com/blog/find-dui-arrest-records/</ref> You may need to fill out a form and pay a processing fee. |
| − | #*Arrest records are public records, so they should be generally available. However, the true availability depends on your location. In some places, only a lawyer can get the records, whereas other records might have identifying information removed.< | + | #*Arrest records are public records, so they should be generally available. However, the true availability depends on your location. In some places, only a lawyer can get the records, whereas other records might have identifying information removed.<ref name="rf4"> https://www.einvestigator.com/how-to-obtain-a-police-report/</ref> |
| − | #Visit the county courthouse. Smaller counties usually don’t have an online database you can search. Instead, you need to visit the courthouse. Go to the courthouse for the county where the person was arrested.< | + | #Visit the county courthouse. Smaller counties usually don’t have an online database you can search. Instead, you need to visit the courthouse. Go to the courthouse for the county where the person was arrested.<ref name="rf5">http://thelawdictionary.org/article/looking-up-free-arrest-records/</ref> |
#*If the courthouse is far away, call and ask how you can find arrest records. The clerk should explain the process. | #*If the courthouse is far away, call and ask how you can find arrest records. The clerk should explain the process. | ||
| − | #Search a state or county website. Some states have arrest records online for free. Check the websites for both the county courthouse and the local police department. Enter as much information as you have about the person, including their name and date of birth.< | + | #Search a state or county website. Some states have arrest records online for free. Check the websites for both the county courthouse and the local police department. Enter as much information as you have about the person, including their name and date of birth.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #Check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. In the U.S., people convicted of federal crimes will be held in federal prison. You can search for inmates through the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.<ref | + | #Check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. In the U.S., people convicted of federal crimes will be held in federal prison. You can search for inmates through the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#*This website doesn’t have arrest records available. However, it will tell you whether a person was ever in federal prison and when they were released. The website has information as far back as 1982. | #*This website doesn’t have arrest records available. However, it will tell you whether a person was ever in federal prison and when they were released. The website has information as far back as 1982. | ||
#Pay for a background check. Many online websites collect arrest records. You can search by the person’s name and the state where you think they were arrested. | #Pay for a background check. Many online websites collect arrest records. You can search by the person’s name and the state where you think they were arrested. | ||
