Re:Online, mug shots are forever – some states want to chang...
by kolinko on Friday May 14, 2021 @09:14PM
(#27161361)
In my country, but I think in EU in general, Police are not allowed anything besides the first name and a first letter of surname. Innocent until proven guilty.
Press also never publishes the surname, although they can publish occupation or other non-identifying information.
This has lead to an amusing situation when press articles appeared one day: “John X., a son of an ex-president was charged with causing a car crash”.
As a side note, even conviction records are sealed, because you have a right to expunge any conviction 5 years after you served your term. Records being public would stay online forever otherwise.
(In places where you need to not be a convicted felon, you can obtain a government certificate to show as a proof)
Press also never publishes the surname, although they can publish occupation or other non-identifying information.
This has lead to an amusing situation when press articles appeared one day: “John X., a son of an ex-president was charged with causing a car crash”.
As a side note, even conviction records are sealed, because you have a right to expunge any conviction 5 years after you served your term. Records being public would stay online forever otherwise. (In places where you need to not be a convicted felon, you can obtain a government certificate to show as a proof)