Staff Reports
California's recent adjustment to social media guidelines surrounding mug shots is stirring quite the controversy. This tweak in law, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom and implemented at the start of this year, appears to prioritize the sensitivities of alleged criminals over public safety concerns.
Police Must Use Preferred Names and Pronouns on Mugshots, Restrict Sharing Under New Law in Deep Blue State via @WestJournalism https://t.co/hZtA8b0Lmt
— DEPLORABLE ULTRA MAGA Susan (@susanbnj) January 2, 2024
The amendment initially aims to address privacy worries for those arrested or detained. However, it takes an unexpected turn by directing law enforcement agencies to adhere to the preferred gender pronouns and names of individuals in custody when posting mug shots online. Not only are these individuals granted special pronouns, but their mug shots must now mirror these preferences as well. Some might view this as an extreme manifestation of political correctness.
The law dictates that police departments or sheriff's offices, when sharing booking photos on social media, must utilize the name and pronouns specified by the arrested individual. Although it permits the use of legal names or known aliases in specific situations, some might find this level of accommodation remarkably generous.
But hold on, there's more to this legislation! It imposes a time limit on how long mug shots can remain visible on social media, typically up to 14 days. Exceptions include cases where the person is considered a fugitive, poses a potential threat to public safety, or if a judge orders the image to stay online. Essentially, it's a time-bound online presence for those facing legal troubles. Moreover, this law retroactively requires the removal of existing mug shots posted by California law enforcement agencies before December 17th, almost like a reset button for their online reputation.
