From Bill Gates to Hugh Grant... The Ultimate Celebrity 'Mugshot Gallery'

Unlike South Korea, the US Does Not Offer Mugshot Selection Options

When former U.S. President Donald Trump became the first American leader to have a mugshot taken, an unprecedented event, foreign media introduced examples of celebrities' mugshots.

AFP described Trump's mugshot, released on the 24th (local time), as "a classic mugshot with a defiant glare at the camera," and said, "This photo could become the most famous mugshot in history."

They also released a series of celebrity mugshots, a so-called 'mugshot gallery.'

Unlike in Korea, the U.S. does not give suspects the option to refuse having their mugshot taken. Because of this, mugshots of celebrities such as Microsoft founder Bill Gates, golf legend Tiger Woods, actors Robert Downey Jr. and Keanu Reeves, and pop star Justin Bieber have been made public.

Prostitution Charges, Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant [Photo by AFP]

Actor Hugh Grant, who was arrested on prostitution charges in 1995, appears to glare at the camera with a tilted posture.

Drunk Driving, 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods
Photo by AFP
Image source AFP Yonhap News

'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods had his mugshot taken in 2017 after being arrested for drunk driving.

Cocaine Possession Charges, Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton, heiress of the Hilton Group and a famous figure in American high society, was arrested in 2010 on cocaine possession charges and had her mugshot taken. She has since printed this photo on T-shirts and mugs for sale.

Driving Without a License, Bill Gates

Bill Gates

Microsoft (MS) founder Bill Gates was caught driving without a license in 1977 when he was in his twenties. His cheerful smile during the mugshot session stands out.

Additionally, in the U.S., singer Michael Jackson had to have a mugshot taken on charges of child molestation, and actor Robert Downey Jr., well known as 'Iron Man,' had mugshots taken for drug possession and failure to comply with tests.

Regarding the release of a former U.S. president's mugshot, the British daily The Telegraph explained, "In the U.S., mugshots are part of the arrest ritual, including 'puff work' (standing in the photo line), showing that everyone is equal before the law, whether rich or poor."

In Korea, the suspect's consent is required for the photographing and release of mugshots, to uphold the presumption of innocence and protect the rights of suspects. However, if the law mandates the disclosure of personal information for heinous criminals, the mugshot is released only if the suspect consents. If they do not consent, an ID photo is released instead.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.