The Ultimate Guide To Saint Louis Mug Shots: Access, Removal Laws, And The SLMPD's Secret SMRT System

The landscape of public arrest records in St. Louis, Missouri, is more complex and technologically advanced than ever before, especially as of December 2025. While mugshots remain a matter of public record under Missouri law, the ability to find, use, and remove these photos is constantly evolving due to new legislation and sophisticated police technology. This guide cuts through the noise to provide the most current information on how St. Louis City and St. Louis County handle booking photos, the critical state laws that protect citizens from predatory mugshot websites, and the controversial technology used by law enforcement.

The core tension in the St. Louis area revolves around the public’s right to information versus an individual's right to privacy and a clean slate. Understanding the difference between St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) policies and St. Louis County Sheriff's Office procedures is essential for anyone seeking an arrest record or looking to clear their name.

The Legal Battle: Missouri's Mugshot Removal Law and Your Rights

One of the most significant and consumer-friendly developments in Missouri law concerns the predatory practice of "pay-for-removal" mugshot websites. These third-party sites often scrape public arrest records and then demand a fee to take down the booking photo, even if the person was never convicted.

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Missouri's Anti-Extortion Mugshot Law (RSMo 407.1150)

In a major win for privacy, a new Missouri law—specifically, Missouri Revised Statutes (RSMo) Section 407.1150—makes this practice illegal.

• The Prohibition: It is unlawful for any website or publisher to solicit or accept payment of a fee or other consideration in exchange for removing, correcting, or modifying criminal record information, including mugshots.
• Right to Sue: This law provides a legal avenue for individuals to sue these websites for damages, effectively protecting St. Louis residents from extortion.
• Impact on STLmugshots.com: While sites like STLmugshots.com exist to aggregate St. Louis arrests and booking information, this state law severely restricts their ability to profit from the removal of photos, forcing them to comply with Missouri’s consumer protection statutes.

The Path to Expungement of St. Louis Arrest Records

For those who were arrested in St. Louis City or St. Louis County but were never convicted, or whose cases meet specific criteria, the legal process of expungement is the only way to officially clear a mugshot and the associated arrest record.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) does not process petitions for expungement directly. Instead, the process must be formally initiated through the Missouri Courts.

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• Filing Requirement: A petition for expungement must be submitted to the appropriate Missouri Circuit Court (the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court for St. Louis City).
• Associated Costs: There is typically a state-mandated surcharge to file the petition, which is currently $100.
• Timeline: The expungement process can take anywhere from 30 days up to six months, depending on the complexity of the case and the age of the conviction.
• The Effect: An expungement order legally "seals" or destroys the criminal record, hiding it from public view as if the arrest never occurred.

Searching St. Louis Mugshots: City vs. County Access Points

Access to mugshots and arrest data in the St. Louis area is fragmented between the municipal and county jurisdictions. Knowing which agency made the arrest is key to locating the information.

St. Louis City Arrest Records (SLMPD)

Individuals arrested within the City of St. Louis are typically held at the City Justice Center or in police custody. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) maintains records for these arrests.

• Inmate Locator: To find a person currently detained, the City of St. Louis Division of Corrections provides an online searchable inmate database or inmate locator. This tool is the most direct way to confirm a recent arrest and the detention location.
• Police Records: For older or specific criminal incident reports, the SLMPD Records Service Center provides in-person access to certain police reports and criminal background checks for a fee.

St. Louis County Mugshots and Booking Information

For arrests made in St. Louis County, the information is handled by the county's law enforcement and court systems.

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• Sheriff's Office: Mugshots and booking information may be available through the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. Searches can often be conducted by the individual's name, case number, or date of filing.
• Public Offender Records: The St. Louis County government also provides tools for searching public offender records, though this may not be a comprehensive list of all mugshots.
• Records Access Change: Note that the St. Louis County Police announced that, beginning January 16, 2025, public access to fingerprint-based background check services will no longer be available at their facility, which may impact how some records are accessed.

Beyond the Photo: SLMPD's Mugshot Recognition Technology (SMRT)

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) utilizes advanced surveillance technology, including a system specifically designed to handle and process booking photos: the Mugshot Recognition Technology (SMRT) system. This is a critical, and often misunderstood, piece of the modern St. Louis law enforcement apparatus.

How the SMRT System Operates

The SMRT system is not a simple database; it is a sophisticated tool used to assist investigators, and its capabilities are clearly defined by the SLMPD to ensure transparency and accountability.

• Not Facial Recognition: Crucially, the SMRT system does not use facial recognition analysis to positively identify individuals.
• Algorithm-Based Compilation: Instead, the technology applies an algorithm to compile and organize the mugshot database. This allows investigators to search for and compare images based on various parameters, aiding in the identification process but requiring human confirmation.
• Transparency Measures: The SLMPD has published reports detailing the capabilities and use of the SMRT system as part of its commitment to transparency regarding surveillance technology and artificial intelligence systems.

This technology underscores the fact that a St. Louis mugshot is more than just a picture; it is a data point in a complex, interconnected system used by law enforcement agencies, including the SLMPD, the St. Louis County Police, and potentially federal partners like the ATF and IRS Criminal Investigation, in major cases involving drug and gun crime.

Key Entities and LSI Keywords for St. Louis Criminal Records

Navigating the criminal justice system in St. Louis requires familiarity with the specific legal terminology and the key governmental entities involved. Using these terms can help expedite any search or legal process:

• Key Entities: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), St. Louis County Police, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, City Justice Center, Missouri Courts, 22nd Judicial Circuit Court.
• LSI Keywords/Related Terms: Arrest records, booking photos, criminal history, expungement process, Missouri Revised Statutes, public records, inmate locator, criminal background checks, felony crimes, misdemeanor charges, mugshot removal law, surveillance technology, SMRT system.

In conclusion, while the public nature of Saint Louis mug shots is protected by state record laws (RSMo 610.100), the individual's right to privacy is increasingly protected by anti-extortion legislation and the possibility of expungement. As the SLMPD continues to integrate advanced systems like SMRT into its operations, the balance between public safety and individual liberty in St. Louis remains a dynamic and critical issue for all residents.