Bill would bar release of mug shots upon arrest

A bill pending in the state House would bar public access to police mug shots unless the person photographed is later convicted.

Under House Bill 845, sponsored by Rep. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough, booking photographs would not be subject to Georgia's open records laws unless the person arrested pleads guilty, pleads nolo contendere or is convicted.

The bill mirrors recommendations from a bipartisan group of senators calling for the same thing. The Senate Expungement Reform Study Committee on Jan. 16 released a list of recommendations, including that the state should exempt mug shots from the Open Records Act.