(2007)

Dear John R. Leopold

Your predecessor requested our opinion concerning disclosure of "mug shots" in the possession of the Anne Arundel County Police Department — i.e., booking photographs of individuals who have been arrested by the police department. In particular, must the police department disclose a mug shot in response to a request under the Public Information Act? Or do the laws governing "criminal history record information" preclude the police department from disclosing the photograph?

In our opinion, a mug shot in the possession of a police department is not subject to the restrictions…