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Knowing how to find current arrests and mugshots can assist friends and family in determining if someone has been in police custody recently. Whether it’s simple curiosity or they are looking for someone who hasn’t made contact in a while, people search arrest records every day.
Each state has different laws and policies regarding the release of mugshots and having a full guide offers insight on finding recent arrests + local mugshots.
Several states consider arrests and mugshots to be public records; therefore, they publish their daily rosters or make online searches available free of charge. This can include mugshots in the inmate roster, or place a separate link for mugshots on social media, They can also post notices about individuals wanted by the police which includes mugshots on file.
Depending on state laws, these public notices may or may not include a mugshot and some agencies may not post daily jail rosters, rather they are posted once a week or every 2-3 days. This could make some of the information outdated/incorrect since a person may already be out of jail on bond or bail, or a person could have been jailed and released before the roster was updated.
These searches not only help locate a person and their associated picture at the jailhouse but also show how to learn why someone was arrested, as their charges are displayed when using the methods below.
While there are a few offline methods of searching for local arrests and mugshots, online searches of local databases are the quickest, easiest ways to find information. There are publications that print and sell pictures of mugshots; however, these are often outdated and can be an unreliable source of information on how to find current arrests.
When individuals are arrested, they may or may not be placed in jail, or may be placed in a holding facility pending booking. Local jails are usually maintained by the county sheriff’s department; however, some larger metropolitan areas maintain their own holding facilities. These facilities often have public search portals for anyone who wants to see who was recently arrested or view mugshots.
An example of a county jail is the facility administered by Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) in Charlotte, North Carolina. MCSO allows online searches, including a mugshot of the alleged offender and details about the date of arrest, charges, and bond information, making how to find current arrests easy.1
The Chicago Police Department has a municipal male lockup in each district and a male/female facility at each district headquarters. Adult arrest searches are available online providing the following information: first and last name, most recent mugshot, individuals’ age, address on record, booking number, the reason for arrest/charges, arrest date/time/location, bond/bail information, release date/time, and district where the crime or arrest occurred.2
There are six states with unified corrections systems, meaning information on both arrestees and prison inmates can be searched from a centralized portal/location. These states have different holding facilities based on the inmate’s status in the court process. How find recent arrests in these states can be more challenging.
Below is information on arrest searches in each of those states. Searches can be by name of the arrestee or department of corrections inmate number.
| State | DOC Search Portal Link | DOC Contact Information |
| Alaska | Alaska uses VINELink for inmate searches | Juneau Office: PO Box 112000, Juneau, AK 99811-200 Phone Number: 907-465-4652 Fax Number: 907-465-3390Anchorage Office: 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 1800 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone Number: 907-334-2381 Toll Free Number: 844-934-2381 |
| Connecticut | Department of Corrections Inmate Search Information | 24 Wilcott Hill Rd., Wethersfield Connecticut 06109 Phone: 860-692-7480 Fax Number: 860-692-7783 |
| Delaware | Delaware uses VINELink for inmate searches | 245 McKee Rd., Dover, Delaware 19904 Phone Number: 302-739-5601 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii uses VINELink for inmate searches | 1177 Alakea St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Phone Number: 808-587-1258 Fax Number: 808-587-4999 |
| Rhode Island | Department of Corrections Inmate Search | 40 Howard Ave Cranston, Rhode Island 02920 General Number: 401-462-1000 Bail Number: 401-462-2261 |
| Vermont | Vermont DOC Offender Locator | NOB 2 S 280 State Dr, Waterbury VT 05671 Phone: 802-241-2442 |
Many law enforcement agencies have turned to the use of social media to publish mugshots and recent arrests. Through online posts, calls for action from the community, and updates on law enforcement efforts, social media accounts are an excellent way to see if someone has been arrested.
There are some publications that focus solely on mugshots; however, these publications are limited by law in certain states, and most charge a fee to view mugshots. Many states have passed legislation regulating the use of mugshots by law enforcement and third-party commercial sites making them less than desirable sources on how to find current arrests.
This table outlines state laws regulating the use of mugshots on public media or paid publication sites.
| State | Code Preventing Release of Mugshots to Social Media or Commercial Websites | Description |
| Alabama | Code 36-12-40 | Mugshots are considered public record |
| Alaska | Department of Corrections Policy | DOC policy prohibits release of mugshots to the media. |
| Arizona | House Bill 2191 | Prohibits mugshot websites that operate for profit. |
| Arkansas | House Bill 1437 | Websites that publish mugshots must remove them within 5 days of a written request. |
| California* | AB 1475 | Prohibits law enforcement from posting mugshots online for non-violent offenses unless the person is considered a fugitive or imminent threat to persons, a judge has ordered release of the mugshot or there are other exigent circumstances that warrant posting the mugshot on social media. |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Freedom of Information Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Delaware | Delaware Freedom of Information Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Florida* | CB/SB 1046 | Requires the removal and prohibits the republishing/re-dissemination of certain mugshot photos. |
| Georgia | House Bill 150 | Prohibits charging a fee to remove a booking photo from a website. |
| Hawaii | Uniform Information Practices Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Idaho | Public Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Illinois* | 5 ILCS 140/2.15 | Prohibits publication of mugshots on social media in most cases. |
| Indiana | Access to Public Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Iowa | Open Records Law | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Kansas | Open Record Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Kentucky | Open Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Louisiana* | House Bill 729 | Limits release of mugshots unless specific circumstances. It also requires a website to remove a photo upon request of the person in the photo and prohibits charging a fee for removal. |
| Maine | Freedom of Access Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Maryland | House Bill 744 | Websites may not charge a fee to remove a mugshot when requested. |
| Massachusetts | Public Records Law | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Michigan | Michigan Freedom of Information Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Minnesota | Public Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Mississippi | Public Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Missouri | House Bills 1665 and 1335 | Requires removal of photos published on a website upon request. |
| Montana | Public Records Law | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Public Record Statutes | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Nevada | Chapter 179A | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| New Hampshire | Right to Know Law | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| New Jersey | Open Public Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| New Mexico | Inspection of Public Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| New York* | Senate Bill 1505 | Prohibits dissemination of a booking photo unless it is necessary for public protection or other exigent circumstance. |
| North Carolina | Proposed Senate Bill 660 | If passed, this bill will remove mugshots from public record status. Currently mugshots are public record. |
| North Dakota | Sunshine Law | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Ohio | House Bill 6 | Prohibits charging a fee to remove a mugshot from a website/publication |
| Oklahoma | Open Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Oregon* | House Bill 3273 | Prohibits law enforcement from releasing mugshots except in certain circumstances. Requires pay sites to destroy photos upon written request from the subject. |
| Pennsylvania | Right to Know Law | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Rhode Island | Access to Public Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Freedom of Information Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| South Dakota | Codified Law 22 | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Tennessee | Open Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Texas | Government Code 552 | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Utah | House Bill 228 | Publish-for-pay sites and publications must remove mugshots within 30 days of receiving a written request from the photo subject, and law enforcement is prohibited from releasing photos to said sites/publications. |
| Vermont | Public Records Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Virginia | Virginia Freedom of Information Act | Law enforcement agencies may release mugshots, but booking photos maintained by the state criminal history database are not to be released. |
| Washington | Washington Freedom of Information Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Freedom of Information Act | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Wisconsin | Open Records Law | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
| Wyoming | Sunshine Law | Mugshots are considered part of the criminal record and are available to the public. |
*All or specifically designated mugshots are not public records in these states.
If the arrest records or mugshots cannot be found online or via social media posts, as a last resort a person can call or visit the local jail to see if someone is incarcerated. In some cases when the individual has been taken into custody for public intoxication or other safety reasons and placed in the drunk tank, law enforcement will help facilitate a call to a friend or family member regarding release from custody.
Another method of finding a person who has recently been arrested is through the services of an attorney or bail bondsman. Either professional will be able to quickly access jail rosters to see if the person is in custody and what the terms of release are.
An attorney or bail bondsman may be the best option when trying to find someone in a holding cell awaiting processing, booking or a court appearance. Holding cells are designed for short-term (less than 12 hours) detention, so those individuals may or may not show up on search portals or jail rosters as quickly as those who have been booked. These cells are typically used to house individuals appearing in court on a given day.3
Finding mugshots and recent arrests has become easier with more agencies using online search portals and social media to publish jail rosters. Jails and detention centers, located in nearly every county or community in the United States and open 24/7, offer the option to visit or call to learn how to find current arrests.
There are several ways to find out if someone was recently arrested. Many agencies have online search portals to locate recently arrested individuals. Some jails publish daily rosters of inmates, and others post recent arrests on social media.
Utilizing the services of an attorney or bail bondsman is the best way to locate someone in a holding cell or pretrial detention facility. Since the majority of individuals are in pre-trial detention because they cannot afford bail money or a hold has been placed on their release, a bondsman or attorney is a valuable asset to effectuating their release.
1 Mecklenburg County Arrest Records. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from <https://mecksheriffweb.mecklenburgcountync.gov/Arrest/Details/1861016?pid=417366>
2 Arrest Search Home. (n.d.). Arrest Search Home. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from <http://publicsearch1.chicagopolice.org/>
3 holding cell | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). Legal Information Institute. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from <https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/holding_cell>
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