They are presumed innocent. And in some cases, they’ve already been exonerated. Yet their names and mug shots appear on the Dallas Police Department’s Web site, listed as having been arrested for prostitution, public lewdness or indecent exposure.

DPD officials say it’s a deterrent, but local defense attorneys who represent people charged with the crimes call it unfair. “I’ve got an exceptional problem with that,” said defense attorney Tim Menchu. “That’s just wrong to put them up there as if they’ve committed some offense when the presumption is innocent until proven guilty.”

Menchu noted the Web site doesn’t list those charged with seemingly more serious crimes, with the exception of fugitives. “You can’t find someone on there who’s charged with murder or rape,” he said. “It’s simply there to serve as public humiliation.”

Menchu also said he’s had to threaten a lawsuit to get DPD to remove an exonerated client from the site. The department complied before the suit could be filed to avoid having it apply to all people on the site, he said.

The Web site currently has arrests dating back to July 2006.

“I’ve got to fight tooth and nail to get the police to remove the photographs from the Web site of clients who’ve been exonerated 100 percent,” Menchu said.

[...]

DPD posts names and photos only of those arrested for patronizing prostitution, and not soliciting, in an effort to avoid inadvertent advertising, Bernal said.

[...]

The Web site is www.dallaspolice.net.