02/22/2019

Proposed Mugshot Rule Pits Privacy Against the Public’s Right to Know

The measure would apply only to state agencies

How much does a person’s mugshot add to the public discourse? And is it worth the cost to that person’s reputation?

That issue is on the minds of lawmakers in New York state—and by extension, groups focused on journalism, law enforcement, inmate rights, privacy and open government.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently proposed a change in the state’s freedom of information law that would block the public release of criminal mugshots and arrest records. Cuomo cited the rise of websites that post the information and then demand payment from the person in question to take the photo or booking information down. Mugshots remain in the public record, even if charges are dropped or the person has served their sentence.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.