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Asked and Answered

Release of mugshots

June 14, 2009

Question

I’m seeking a booking photo on a person. The jail said they can’t release the mug unless there is a conviction. Is this true?

Answer

Our position is that the mugshots have to be provided, but that the AG has taken the position that it is discretionary. In any event, there is no statute preventing the release.

Asked & Answered posts should not be relied on as legal advice, and FAC makes no guarantees about their completeness or accuracy. All posts carry a date of publication that readers should take note of in assessing their usefulness, given that laws and interpretations of them may change over time. Posts predating Jan. 1, 2023, that discuss the California Public Records Act may contain statute numbers no longer in use. Please see this page for a table showing how the California Public Records Act has been renumbered.