How to Find Recent Arrests Near You + Local Mugshots (Full Guide)

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Jayson Baxter
August 5, 2022
A law enforcement officer is driving away in a police vehicle with a suspect in the backseat, while another person stands behind the patrol car, holding a magnifying glass up to a calendar, trying to determine the best methods for looking up recent arrests.

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.

How To Access Recent Arrests & Mugshots Free of Charge

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 This could make some of the information outdated/incorrect since a person may already be out of jail on bond or bail, or a person could have been jailed and released before the roster was updated.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 There are publications that print and sell pictures of mugshots; however, these are often outdated and can be an unreliable source of information on how to find current arrests.

Use County & City Databases to Locate Recent Arrests Records Online

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

The Chicago Police website where citizens can search for recent arrests of those who were taken in and now incarcertated within their jurisdiction.

Search Local Arrests by Name Through the Department of Corrections (in Some States)

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

Check Police Departments & Counties Social Media Accounts

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.

Visit or Call Local Law Enforcement to Find Recent Arrests in Your Area

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.

Inmate contact and visitation information differs by state and can be used to check if someone is in jail as well as get ahold of someone who was arrested.

Contact an Attorney and/or Bailsman

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Find Out Where Someone Will Be Sent If They Were Just Arrested?

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.

How Do I Find Someone in a Holding Facility or in a Pretrial Detention Center?

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.


References

Mecklenburg County Arrest Records. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from <https://mecksheriffweb.mecklenburgcountync.gov/Arrest/Details/1861016?pid=417366>

Arrest Search Home. (n.d.). Arrest Search Home. Retrieved July 11, 2022, from <http://publicsearch1.chicagopolice.org/>

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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