In an effort to inform the world about everything as it happens, Americans’ Constitutional rights are being subverted by displaying the mugshots of those being accused of a crime before they’re sentenced, according to mugshot extortion advocates and defense attorneys nationwide.
By displaying these mugshots before the individual even has the time to plead their guilt or innocence, the public is allowed to sentence them for themselves.
In the case of those who are eventually found innocent, the damage has already been done with the accused person’s reputation shredded. The far-reaching scope of the Internet is the culprit here.
Just because a person may be found innocent after a mugshot is released doesn’t mean that the news outlet or police organization is going to take the time to weed through and delete an innocent person’s photo—this mugshot will live on the web forever.
Harsher yet can be the discussions on social media. All it takes is one person sharing a recent mugshot for the accused to be condemned by their community—long before they’ve been able to plead their case at trial (or even before the individual has been charged). In this instance, the innocent person can then face issues finding employment or even being accepted by their community.