Booking photos will no longer be released automatically by the New York State Police as part of an agreement in the newly-approved state budget.

The State Police will release booking photos, commonly known as mugshots, only if there is a “specific law enforcement purpose” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. Exceptions include searching for fugitives or missing people, they said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo had initially proposed ending the release of mugshots earlier this year as part of a broader move toward criminal justice law changes as advocates had raised concerns about the use of the photos hurting an accused’s reputation.

News entities frequently use mugshots when reporting on the arrests of individuals. However, mugshots have proved problematic in the online world as some websites publish mugshots and charge a fee for their removal.

Supporters of the law argue an arrest does not mean someone is automatically guilty, but free speech advocates believe the law could have serious repercussions.

"I see a slippery slope. That if the government is going to wake up one day and say 'Well, maybe we don't want this information to go out' maybe other types of important public information will be withheld too," said Roy Gutterman, Syracuse University media professor.

Initially, budget language before lawmakers would have ended the release of all booking information. This language was later amended so that only the release of booking photos would be banned.