Maryland Arrest Records

Thank you for visiting. We strive to give you the best help with your Maryland Arrest Records search. Our goal is to offer clear facts and direct ways to find the data you need. We will guide you through the state's own sources for these public records.

If you want to start a search right now for Maryland Arrest Records, you can visit https://marylandofficialrecords.com/arrest-records/. This resource provides a way to begin looking for arrest information quickly. It can be a fast path if you need results without delay. Please note this option exists for those who wish to use a dedicated search service right away for finding Maryland Arrest Records.

Understanding Maryland Arrest Records

What is a Maryland Arrest Record? It is an official note made when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement in Maryland. This record does not mean the person is guilty. It only shows that police believed there was cause to make an arrest. The record often starts when a person is booked at a police station or detention center. It lists details about the person and the event. These records are part of the state's criminal justice data system. They are kept by different state and local police bodies. Knowing what these records hold helps you search well.

Information in an Arrest Record

A typical Maryland Arrest Record includes key facts. You will likely find the person's full name and any known aliases. Their date of birth is usually noted. Physical details like height, weight, eye, and hair color might be listed. The record shows the date and time of the arrest. The location where the arrest took place is also key data. It names the police agency that made the arrest. Very important is the list of charges or alleged crimes. A mugshot or photograph taken at booking may be part of the file. Fingerprints are taken but are not usually on the public view record. Case or identification numbers are assigned too.

Official Ways to Access Maryland Arrest Records

You can find Maryland Arrest Records through official state sources. These are the best ways to get true and full data. Each source has its own way to search. Some show court data. Others show full criminal history checks.

Maryland Judiciary Case Search

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is a key tool. It offers public access to court records online. This includes many criminal cases that start with an arrest. You can search by name, case number, or county court. It shows case status, charges filed by the state's attorney, court dates, and outcomes like convictions or dismissals. It may list the date of the offense which often links to an arrest date. This search is free for online viewing. It is a good place to start finding court actions tied to an arrest. Note it primarily shows data once a case enters the court system. It may not show arrests that did not lead to formal charges in court. You can access it here: https://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/

Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) - CJIS

The Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository holds the official state criminal history records. This is run by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). To get a full Maryland Arrest Record check, you often need this source. This is not a simple name search. It requires fingerprints for a state and FBI background check. This check shows arrests and case outcomes reported to the state. It is used for jobs, licensing, and other official needs. There are fees for this service. You must submit fingerprints through approved providers. Forms are needed. The CJIS Central Repository provides these checks. They ensure data is handled per state and federal law. This process gives the most complete look at a person's recorded interactions with law enforcement in Maryland, including arrests reported to the state repository. It's vital for official background screening needs.

CJIS Service Details

• Location: CJIS Central Repository, 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215.

• Phone: (410) 764-4501 or Toll-Free: 1-888-795-0011.

• Hours: Service hours can vary. Check the official DPSCS website for current times. Usually, they operate during standard business hours on weekdays.

• Fees: Fees apply for fingerprinting and the background check. Costs depend on the type of check (state or state/FBI). See the DPSCS site for current fee schedules.

• Forms: Request forms are needed. Find them on the DPSCS website under Criminal Justice Information System or Background Checks sections. Example: https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/bgchecks.shtml

Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) Requests

The Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) grants access to public records. This includes records held by state and local police departments. You can file an MPIA request for specific arrest reports or incident logs from a police agency. Each agency handles its own requests. You usually need to send a written request. Specify the records you seek clearly. Include names, dates, locations if known. Fees for search and copying may apply. Agencies have set times to respond, often within 10 to 30 days. Some data may be kept private under MPIA rules. This could include ongoing case details or private data about others. The MPIA law is found in the Maryland Code, General Provisions Article, Sections 4-101 through 4-601. You can learn more about the MPIA here:https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/laws.html or via the Attorney General's office MPIA Manual:https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/OpenGov/MPIA/default.aspx. Contact the specific local police or sheriff's office for their MPIA request process and contact info.

Arrest Records vs. Conviction Records

It is key to know the difference. An Maryland Arrest Record shows a person was detained by police. It lists the charges at that time. It is not proof the person committed the crime. Many arrests do not lead to guilt. Charges may be dropped. A person might be found not guilty at trial. A conviction record means a court found the person guilty. Or the person pleaded guilty. Conviction records are part of the court record and the official criminal history. Accessing court records via Maryland Judiciary Case Search often shows the final outcome or disposition of a case that started with an arrest. An official CJIS background check aims to show both arrests and final dispositions like convictions. Remember, seeing an arrest record does not mean the person has a criminal conviction for that event. This difference is vital for fairness in jobs and housing. Maryland law has rules about how arrest data without conviction can be used. Thank you for coming to this page. We know finding record data can be hard. We aim to give you the best help for your search about Maryland Arrest Records. Our goal is to guide you through the state's ways to find this data. We hope this page is a big help to you.

To begin your search for Maryland Arrest Records right now, you can go to https://marylandofficialrecords.com/arrest-records/. This resource offers a way to check for records. If you need fast access or want to start looking right away, this link is a good place to start. They offer tools designed to help find the specific arrest details you might be looking for across the state. It is an option to check public data sources.

Defining Maryland Arrest Records

A Maryland arrest record notes when a person is taken into hold by the law. It does not mean the person is guilty. It is just a log of the event. These logs hold key facts. You may find the person's name. Their date of birth might be there. It should list the date and place of the arrest. The name of the police force is often on the log. The specific charges filed at the time are key parts of the record. A case code may link to court files. Keep in mind, this is just the start of the case.

Arrest vs. Conviction Records

An arrest record shows police took some one in. It does not prove guilt. A case might be dropped. The person might be found not guilty. A conviction record is quite different. It means a court found the person guilty of a crime. Or they pled guilty. Conviction records are proof of guilt from a court case. Arrest records just show that a charge was made and police acted. This is a key point. Many searches look for convictions, not just arrests. But arrest data is part of the full past record. Access rules can differ for each type.

Legal Basis for Records

Maryland laws shape how arrest records are kept. They also rule who can see them. The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) gives rights to see public records. This includes some arrest data held by state or local police. But the PIA has limits to keep some things private. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) runs the main state criminal data base. Rules in the Criminal Procedure Article guide how DPSCS shares this data. Court records access is shaped by the Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records. These laws try to keep things open while guarding rights.

Accessing Maryland Arrest Records: Official State Sources

There are official state ways to find arrest records. Each source gives different data types. Each has its own way to ask for data. Fees and wait times can change too. It helps to know where to look first.

Maryland Judiciary Case Search

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is a free tool online. You can find it at https://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/. It lets you look up court case data from all state courts. This includes many District Court and Circuit Court cases. You can search by name or case code. Case Search shows case state, charge data, court dates, and case outcomes. While not an arrest log itself, it often shows data linked to an arrest. You can see the charges filed after an arrest. You can see if the case led to court action.

This tool has limits. It does not show records that are expunged by court rule. Shielded records are also hidden from the main view. Some old pot charges may not show up due to law changes. Cases where a child is charged as an adult are kept private until a court choice is made. Sealed case data needs a court rule to see. Also, Case Search is not meant for official background checks. For those, you need the state's main crime data base check. Always check the court clerk for the full, true record if needed.

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) - Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)

The main source for full criminal past checks is DPSCS. Their CJIS Central Repository holds the state's official crime records. These checks use fingerprints. They give state data and, if asked for, FBI data. You can ask for your own record. Some jobs or licenses need this check too. These groups must have the right okay to ask.

To get a check, you need to give fingerprints. You can go to a place set up for live scan prints. Or you can ask CJIS for a print card by mail. Call them or write to get a card if you live out of state. Fill out the card. Mail it back with the fee. Fees change based on the check type. A state check for you costs $18 by mail. A state and FBI check for a job might be $31.25 by mail or $51.25 if you get prints done in person at CJIS. Pay with a credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover) or check. Cash is not okay. Mail requests take about 10 to 15 days once they get the card.

CJIS Contact Information:

• Mailing Address: CJIS - Central Repository, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, Maryland 21282-2708

• Overnight Address: CJIS - Central Repository, 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 217, Baltimore Maryland 21215 - 2346

• Customer Service Phone: 410-764-4501 or Toll-Free 1-888-795-0011

• Customer Service Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Fingerprinting Office: 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, Maryland 21215

• Fingerprinting Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Website for Background Checks: https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/bgchecks.shtml

• Forms: You can find forms like the Fingerprint Card Order Form on their site. Or call to ask for one.

Maryland State Police (MSP) - Central Records Division

The Maryland State Police keep records too. Their Central Records Division holds crash reports. They also track crime data for state counts. If the MSP handled a case or arrest, they might have an probe report. You can ask for copies of these MSP reports. This is done through the rules of the Public Information Act.

To ask for an MSP report, send a note. Put in the MSP report code if you know it. Add the date and place of the event. Give the names of folks tied to it. Send your note to their main desk. They need your return mail address too. Call first if you need a crash report from a local MSP spot. There might be a small fee. Check their site for forms or more details.

MSP Central Records Division Contact:

• Address: 1711 Belmont Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21244

• Phone: 410-281-2700

• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed State Holidays)

• Website: https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/SupportServicesBureau/CentralRecordsDivision.aspx 

Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) Requests

The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) is a state law. It gives the public the right to see most government records. This can include arrest logs held by local police forces or county sheriff desks. The law says how to ask for these records. It sets rules for how government bodies must reply. You must make your request to the agency that holds the record. For example, ask the Baltimore Police Department for their arrest logs.

Each state, county, and town agency must have a PIA contact person. You can find a list of these contacts on the Maryland Attorney General's website. Write to the right contact. Be clear about the records you want. The PIA lets agencies charge fair fees. Fees cover search time and copy costs. The first two hours of search time are often free. The agency must tell you in 10 work days if they have the record. They must guess the cost and time needed. They can deny a request if the law protects the record. This might be due to privacy rights or if it hurts an open case.

• PIA Information & Representative List: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/OpenGov/pia.aspx 

• Maryland Public Information Act Law: Found in Maryland General Provisions Article, Title 4. You can find the text through state law library sites. https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Browse/Home/Maryland/MarylandCodeCourtRules?guid=N413A57009CEA11DB9BCF9DAC2837654A&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default) 

Information Typically Found in Maryland Arrest Records

Maryland arrest records can vary slightly. But they usually contain standard information. This data helps identify the person and the event. Core details often include:

• Full Name: The arrested individual's legal name.

• Date of Birth: Used for identification.

• Physical Descriptors: Such as height, weight, eye color (often in internal police files).

• Arrest Date and Time: When the arrest occurred.

• Arrest Location: Where the person was taken into custody.

• Arresting Agency: The police department or law unit that made the arrest.

• Charges: The specific criminal codes the person was accused of violating at arrest time.

• Case Number: An ID number assigned to the arrest or court case.

• Fingerprints: Taken during booking, stored in state/FBI databases.

• Mugshot: A photo taken during booking.

Publicly viewable records, like those in Case Search, may not show all these details. They often focus on charges and court data. Full records with prints and photos are usually kept in secure law enforcement systems. Access is more limited.

Limitations on Access and Record Availability

Not all arrest records are open to the public. Maryland law sets limits to protect privacy. Some records are removed from view by courts.

• Expunged Records: A court can order a record expunged. This removes it from public court and police files. It is like the event never happened in the eyes of the law. Expungement is possible for certain charges. Especially if the case was dropped or found not guilty. See Maryland Criminal Procedure Article, §10-101 et seq.

• Shielded Records: Some convictions for less severe crimes can be shielded. Shielding limits public access but does not fully erase the record. Employers doing checks may not see shielded cases.

• Sealed Records: Courts can seal records in special cases. This hides them from public view. A court order is needed to unseal them.

• Juvenile Records: Records about crimes by those under 18 are usually kept private. Access is strictly limited by law.

• Specific Case Exclusions: Laws sometimes remove certain types of cases from public view. For example, some old marijuana possession cases are no longer shown on Case Search. This follows House Bill 83 (2020).

• Active Investigations: Records tied to an open police case may be withheld. This protects the integrity of the investigation. The PIA allows this kind of denial.

Relevant Maryland Laws Governing Arrest Records

Several key Maryland laws control arrest records. They dictate creation, access, and removal. Knowing these can help you find records. They also explain why some data may not be open.

• Maryland Public Information Act (PIA): (General Provisions Article, Title 4) This is the main law for accessing government documents. It covers state and local agencies. It aims for openness but includes many exceptions. These protect personal privacy or government needs. Link to Title 4: https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Browse/Home/Maryland/MarylandCodeCourtRules?guid=N413A57009CEA11DB9BCF9DAC2837654A&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default) 

• Criminal Procedure Article, Title 10: This part of Maryland law deals with criminal records. Subtitle 1 covers Expungement rules. Subtitle 2 covers Criminal History Record Information held by CJIS. It sets rules for background checks. Link to Title 10: https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Browse/Home/Maryland/MarylandCodeCourtRules?guid=N6D8404C09CEB11DB9BCF9DAC2837654A&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default) 

• Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records: (Title 16, Chapter 900) These court rules detail public access to court files. They specify which court records are open. They list those that are restricted or confidential. Link to Title 16, Chapter 900: https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Browse/Home/Maryland/MarylandCodeCourtRules?guid=N7359D1609CEB11DB9BCF9DAC2837654A&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default) 

Contact Information for Key Maryland Agencies

If you need help or have questions, contact these agencies. They handle different parts of Maryland arrest records.

• Maryland Judiciary (Court Records & Case Search):
  
  

  • General Information: Check the Maryland Courts website (www.mdcourts.gov) for contact options.

  • Local Clerk of Court Offices: Contact the clerk in the county where the case was filed for specific records.

    • Example: Allegany County Clerk: 30 Washington Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 | Phone: 301-777-5923 | Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

    • Example: Somerset County Clerk: 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853 | Phone: 410-845-4840 | Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

• DPSCS - CJIS Central Repository (Background Checks):
  
  

  • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708

  • Physical Address: 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 217, Baltimore, MD 21215

  • Phone: 410-764-4501 / 1-888-795-0011 (Customer Service)

  • Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Customer Service)

  • Website: https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/bgchecks.shtml 

• Maryland State Police - Central Records Division (MSP Reports):
  
  

  • Address: 1711 Belmont Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21244

  • Phone: 410-281-2700

  • Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Website: https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/SupportServicesBureau/CentralRecordsDivision.aspx 

• Maryland Office of the Attorney General (PIA Guidance):
  
  

  • Address: 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

  • Phone: 410-576-6300 / Toll-Free 1-888-743-0023

  • Website: https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/OpenGov/pia.aspx 

Helpful Resources

Maryland Birth Records | Maryland Court Records | Maryland Criminal Records