Thursday, February 20, 2014

Mugged by Mugshots No More - Update - Mugshot Websites Under Fire in Florida.

Mugged by Mugshots No More - Update
UPDATE - February 20, 2014 - Florida is considering action in this area but Kentucky passed two bills to help people put their criminal records behind them. The new law would make it a felony to publish someone's jail mugshot to a website and then demand money for the photo's removal.

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtiere could not have said it better when he equated web site postings of mug shots and then the charge of a removal fee as extortion.  Sites like www.mugshots.com have proliferated with an extortionist entrepreneurial spirit.  These sites feed on peoples’ misery whether deserved or not and spackle images of people’s lowest moments, their arrests, all over the internet for crude entertainment.  

The sheriff recognized that this legitimate public information, photographs and information about folks booked at the jail was being exploited for non-public use in a mean spirited, financially exploitive manner.  As the link below reflects he is taking steps to limit abuse.  Most of the time my office speaks out regarding law enforcement we do so to point out abuse and mistakes.  

It is most enjoyable to see this sheriff serving the public’s broad interests through such a thoughtful change.  Keep up the good work Sheriff Gualtiere.