Maryland Criminal Court Records
Maryland criminal court records are public documents held by circuit courts and district courts across all 23 counties and Baltimore City. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search gives free online access to case data at any time. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. District Court records go back to 1989, and Circuit Court records go back to 1998. This guide covers how to search criminal court records in Maryland, what they contain, and how to get copies from the courts.
Maryland Criminal Court Records Overview
Maryland Judiciary Case Search
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the main tool for finding criminal court records in Maryland. It is free and open to the public at all hours. The database covers both Circuit Court and District Court cases across all 23 counties plus Baltimore City. No account is needed to use it. Start your search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us.
The system offers several search methods. You can look up a case by name using a first and last name, with an optional middle name to narrow results. Case number searches use the format of county code plus case type plus year plus sequence number. You can also search by filing date range, up to 90 days at a time. Advanced filters let you sort by court system (Circuit, District, or Appellate), county, and case status. The database updates in real time when court staff add new data, so results are current as of today.
Each record in the system shows the case number, filing date, case type, and status. You can see all party names, attorney info, and the specific charges with the statute violated. The record also shows every scheduled hearing, every docket entry with dates, the final outcome, and any fines or costs ordered. Criminal cases fall into two main groups: Circuit Court felonies and serious misdemeanors, or District Court misdemeanors and minor offenses in Maryland.
The Case Search covers District Court cases from 1989 and Circuit Court cases from 1998. Cases filed before those dates may still be on paper at the courthouse or at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis.
Note: Juvenile records, expunged cases, and sealed cases do not appear in Case Search and are not open to the public under Maryland law.
How to Search Criminal Court Records in Maryland
Online search is the fastest way to find Maryland criminal court records. The Case Search database works at any hour and costs nothing to use. Most people check it first before going to a courthouse in Maryland.
To search by name, enter at least a first and last name. You can add a middle name or initial to cut down results. The system shows all cases linked to that name across the state, or you can filter to one specific county. If results are too broad, add a case type filter or a date range. To search by case number, enter the full number in the format the court uses. Each Maryland county has its own code at the start of case numbers.
In-person searches are the best choice when you need to see a full case file or want certified copies the same day. Each circuit court in Maryland has a criminal department where staff can pull records and make copies. Bring a valid photo ID. Many courthouses have public kiosks where you can search at no charge. Circuit clerk offices across Maryland are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mail requests work when you cannot visit in person. Write to the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the case was filed. Include the defendant's name, case number if known, approximate dates, and the documents you need. Always add a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Most clerks take check or money order. A few will accept credit cards for mail requests, but call ahead to confirm. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page at Maryland circuit courts. Certified copies carry a $5.00 certification fee plus $0.50 per page.
CJIS Central Repository
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services runs the Criminal Justice Information System, known as CJIS. This office keeps the official criminal history records for the state. If you need a formal record for legal or personal use, you can request your own criminal history through CJIS. The process requires fingerprinting at an authorized location in Maryland.
To get a personal criminal history record, you must be fingerprinted using form FD-258 or at a Live Scan station. Then complete the Criminal History Records Check application and submit payment. A state-only check costs $18. If you also want the FBI check added, the fee is $38. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. Check the status of your request or find more details at dpscs.maryland.gov/cjis/. The CJIS office is at 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. The toll-free line is 1-888-795-0011. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The CJIS background check is different from the public Case Search. A CJIS report gives a complete criminal history with all dispositions statewide. The public Case Search shows individual case details but is not a certified background check. Which one you need depends on what you are using it for in Maryland.
Maryland Court Structure
Maryland has four levels of courts. Knowing which level handled a case points you to the right records.
The District Court is the lower trial court in Maryland. It handles most misdemeanors, certain felonies like theft under $1,500 and simple drug possession, traffic violations, and civil cases under $30,000. There are 34 District Court locations across the state. No jury trials happen here. A judge decides every case. District Court criminal records go back to 1989 in the public Case Search. This is the right place to start if you are looking for minor criminal records in Maryland.
The Circuit Court is the main trial court for serious criminal matters. It handles all felonies, serious misdemeanors where the defendant asks for a jury, and appeals from District Court. There is one Circuit Court in each of Maryland's 23 counties plus Baltimore City, giving 24 in total. Felony cases produce the most detailed records in the Maryland court system. Circuit Court records go back to 1998 on Case Search. Cases older than that may be at the county clerk's office or at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis.
Above the trial courts sit the Appellate Court of Maryland and the Supreme Court of Maryland. The Appellate Court hears appeals from Circuit Courts and has 15 judges. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and takes only discretionary appeals. Records from both appellate courts are also searchable through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search.
What Maryland Criminal Court Records Show
Maryland criminal court records include many types of documents. When a case is filed, the clerk creates a case jacket that holds every paper from start to finish. The full file is public unless a judge has sealed it. Records are held by the circuit court clerk in each county.
Circuit Court files typically hold the indictment or information filed by the State's Attorney, all motions and responses from both sides, bond documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and the final judgment. These files can be quite long for complex felony cases. Each docket entry shows the date and what happened that day. If a defendant appealed the case, those appeal documents join the file as well in Maryland.
District Court records cover misdemeanors, lower-level felonies, and traffic violations. These files are often shorter than Circuit Court files but show the same types of information: charges filed, dates, plea, verdict, and sentence. Both court types list the statute violated for each charge, which helps people understand what law applies to a specific case in Maryland.
A typical Maryland criminal court record includes:
- Case number and court jurisdiction
- Defendant's full name and identifying details
- Charges filed with the statute violated
- Filing dates and all scheduled hearings
- Plea entered by the defendant
- Final verdict or disposition
- Sentence details including any fines, probation terms, or incarceration
Maryland State Archives
The Maryland State Archives holds historical criminal court records that predate the online databases. The archives are located at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. You can reach them at (410) 260-6400 or toll-free at 1-800-235-4045. The reading room is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Visit their website at msa.maryland.gov.
The archives hold colonial court records going back to 1634, county court records from 1777 through the 1900s, criminal court dockets, and grand jury records. They also hold prison records from the Maryland Penitentiary and the House of Correction, including inmate commitment registers and prisoner photographs. Some county records at the archives go back to the 1650s. In-person research is free. Copy fees run $0.50 per page, and research fees may apply for staff-assisted searches. Email msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov before you visit to confirm what is available for the county and time period you need.
Note: For cases filed before 1989 in District Court or before 1998 in Circuit Court, the State Archives or the local county clerk may hold paper records not found online.
Getting Copies of Criminal Court Records
You can get copies of Maryland criminal court records in person, by mail, or in some cases by email. Each circuit court has its own criminal department that handles copy requests. Fees are consistent across most Maryland counties.
Standard copies cost $0.50 per page at Maryland circuit courts. Certified copies, which carry an official seal and are needed for most legal uses, cost $5.00 for the certification plus $0.50 per page. Exemplified copies, used in other states, cost $10.00 plus $0.50 per page. Some counties also charge a $5.00 record search fee for staff to locate the file. A $2.00 mail processing fee may apply on top of copy costs in some counties. Most courts accept cash, check, money order, and credit cards in person. Personal checks are not accepted everywhere, so call ahead if that is how you plan to pay.
For mail requests, write to the clerk in the county where the case was heard. Include the defendant's name, case number, case dates, the documents you want, your contact info, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and your payment. Mail request processing ranges from a few days to about two weeks depending on the county and how busy the office is.
Are Criminal Court Records Public in Maryland
Yes, most criminal court records are public in Maryland. The Maryland Public Information Act gives people the right to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies. Court records fall under the general rule of public access. You do not need to be a party to the case, and you do not need to give a reason for your request.
Some records are restricted or sealed. Juvenile records are confidential and not open to the public. Expunged cases are removed from the public database and cannot be accessed. Sealed cases require a court order to view. Certain personal details like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from public copies. Records from active investigations and unserved arrest warrants are also withheld. These are the main limits on public access to criminal court records in Maryland.
The Clerk's Office in each county does NOT perform criminal background checks. If you need a formal background check, contact the CJIS Central Repository at 1-888-795-0011. The public Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us is the main starting point for public access to Maryland criminal records.
Browse Maryland Criminal Court Records by County
Each county in Maryland has its own circuit court clerk who keeps criminal case records. Select a county below to find local courthouse details, contact numbers, and resources for criminal records in that area.
Criminal Records in Major Maryland Cities
Criminal cases are filed at the county court that serves each city. Select a city below to find out where to look for criminal court records in that area.