About the Museum
Frequently Asked Questions and Other Information
The Mug Shot Museum publishes mug shots and (when available and pertinent) police evidence photos, which are part of the public record, along with summaries of the cases -- which we write from available facts from the identified source(s).
Please do remember that (unless specifically stated) these are people charged with crimes, and according to law are innocent until proven guilty in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's this site's point or mission?
Like its parent This is True®, the thrust of this site is social commentary. Virtually everyone featured here has made choices that led to their arrests -- bad choices. It's difficult for people to learn from others' mistakes, but we believe it's possible to do so -- with enough repetition. Thus, it's our fondest hope that readers find a story about someone just like them, or a story that is just like what they have done, so that they can identify with the person they're reading about and, just maybe, reconsider their actions before they're caught and get their own mug shot taken. In that way we hope to improve the world a little bit at a time -- a process we know works since readers have told us so!
Q: What's
with the weird drape over the person's clothing?
A: Some police departments/jails cover up a suspect's clothing to remove that as a factor in identification or bias for or against a suspect's nice/ratty clothing. We think it adds a freaky appearance and is thus prejudicial, but no one asked for our opinion.
Q: Is "petit larceny" a typo?
A: No, it's not, and boy are we tired of this question! Sheesh: if you don't have a dictionary, can't you at least consult one online?!
Q: Do you take mug shot suggestions/submissions?
A: Yes, we do: there's a link in the header and footer of every page on the site -- the one that says "Submit Mug Shot".
Q: Who is behind this site? Have they ever been arrested?
A: The Mug Shot Museum is a project of Randy Cassingham's This is True, a weekly column of weird-but-true news stories from real newspapers (and other legitimate news media from around the world). You can subscribe to the free weekly newsletter in the box below. No, Randy Cassingham has never been arrested. He has several staffers who help to research and write the stories here, and we're pretty sure they've never been arrested either. But if they are, and the mug shot or story is good enough to be posted here, it will be!
Q: My mug shot is shown here. How can I convince you to remove it?
A: You probably can't convince us, but you can try: use the contact form to write us, and be sure to provide enough information to establish your identity. If we don't remove your mug shot, we will at least publish your letter (not including your e-mail address!) on the page with your mug shot, and we pledge not to edit your statement in any way.
Q: The ad showing with a story is strangely appropriate/inappropriate. Who is choosing them?
A: No "one" is choosing them: they're automated, trying to match the "content" of the page. They typically don't do a great job matching the spirit of a story, though, and are sometimes hilariously inappropriate. Consider it part of the site's entertainment value.
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