Smile In Your Mug Shot? Spend Time In Solitary Confinement.

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by Kirk Hawkins / Tim Mullican, Photojournalist

Story Created: Oct 18, 2012 at 10:56 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 19, 2012 at 2:26 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Behind every smile is a story. Jason Dow says his was the end result of 12
hours in isolation. A small cell he says remained chilly at 60 degrees. All because he wanted to show off a grin in his mug shot. "Telling you not to smile is telling you to mask your emotions I think that's crazy," said the South Charlotte Resident.

Dow faces charges for projecting protest messages onto a Bank of America building. "I really thought and still think it's worth standing your ground for something so frivolous," said Dow.

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office said they don't have an anti-smiling policy.  It wants consistency, in part, because of its facial recognition programs. But from a frown to a grin and even a smirk--mug shots filled with expression are popular on the pages of local newspapers.

The A.C.L.U. said authorities should never use soliarty confinement lightly or arbitrarily. In a statement to Fox Charlotte, A.C.L.U. of North Carolina's Legal Director, Chris Brook said, "Placing someone in an isolation cell indefinitely simply because they smiled too much is not just inappropriate but downright abusive."

"What's a rule without consequence," Dow said deputies offered him a chance to keep a straight face, but, he refused. "How many people would stand up for the right to smile in that situation.
Most people are just ready to get out," Dow said.

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