By Allen, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Kyle T. Therrian
Office Number: (972) 562-7549
24 Hr Jail Release: (214) 403-6522
www.rosenthalwadas.com

A Texas company is making a small fortune by posting book-in photos to their website under the guise of public information and free speech. In many cases, their website is optimized to generate the top search result when entering your full name into Google. With internet snooping becoming a common practice by many employers, the implications of having a mugshot on the first page of search results are horrifying.

These companies advertise, that for a small “administrative” fee (roughly $150), they will remove the mugshot as a courtesy. Such a practice borders on extortion but more importantly the company subjects themselves to criminal and civil sanctions when they continue to publish a mugshot after receiving notice that the arrest/offense has been expunged or has become subject to a nondisclosure order. This is why it is important to include these companies in the expunction or nondisclosure order–they do not have to remove anything until they learn of a court order

The good news is that each individual mugshot website appears to be controlled by a single Texas entity that goes by the name “Citizen’s Information Associates, LLC.” A properly drafted expunction or nondisclosure should include notice to this company at their Austin, Texas address. So far, it appears that they have complied with court orders prepared by this law firm.

*Kyle Therrian is an attorney licensed to practice in the State of Texas. Nothing in this article is intended to be legal advice. For legal advice on any case you should contact an attorney directly.