Mug shots are so last year
By Terry Murry on Monday, January 3rd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – One of the new laws that went into effect on Jan. 1 means mug shots of those arrested for crimes can no longer be disseminated to the general public. House Bill 3273 was part of a package of law enforcement reform bills that passed the Oregon Legislature in the 2021 session.
For that reason, the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office is no longer publishing booking photos on the jail roster, as a part of news releases, or on its social media page. Instead, the illustration shown here appears.
The new law does allow some exceptions. The booking photo can be released to the person who is pictured. It can also be shared with other law enforcement agencies or officers for the purpose of law enforcement. A state mental hospital would receive the booking photo if the person depicted in it is being admitted to the hospital. Booking photos can also be released to a party in a criminal proceeding resulting from the arrest and to the victim of the offense.
There are two exceptions which allow the booking photos to be released to the general public. One is if the law enforcement agency determines that there is a law enforcement purpose for the release. Examples of that would be if it would assist with the apprehension of a fugitive or a suspect in a criminal investigation, or if it would aid in the identification of additional criminal activity. A mug shot can also be released to the general public if the person arrested is convicted if the conviction results from the arrest from which the booking photo was obtained.
