Bill Would Force Websites To Kill Certain Mugshots

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – When it comes to theory of the law, a person is innocent until proven guilty.

One state lawmaker wants to make sure the stigma of an arrest or conviction doesn't follow a person if the charges are later dropped or they are found innocent.

This week Rep. Carl Zimmerman, D-Palm Harbor, filed a bill which would require all websites to delete arrest photos, or mugshots as they are called, within 15 days of being notified that the charges did not result in a conviction.

The bill (HB 677) would subject the website operator to fines and even a defamation lawsuit if they did not comply with the request. The website could not charge anything to remove the photo.

Zimmerman, who teaches broadcast journalism to high school students, said people have the right to publish information but they should take it down once it is proven false.

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