Waldorf Criminal Court Records
Waldorf criminal court records are maintained by Charles County, since Waldorf is an unincorporated community without its own court system. Felony cases, serious misdemeanor appeals, and jury trial requests from Waldorf are filed at the Charles County Circuit Court in La Plata. This page explains how to search for those records online, how to get copies, and the details you need to contact the right office the first time.
Waldorf Overview
Charles County Circuit Court
The Charles County Circuit Court handles all felony cases and serious misdemeanor proceedings for Waldorf and the rest of Charles County. The courthouse is at 200 Charles Street in La Plata, which is about 10 miles south of Waldorf. La Plata serves as the county seat, so all county-level court functions are there. The main courthouse phone is (301) 932-3201. The criminal department has a direct line at (301) 932-3220.
The Circuit Court Clerk is Lisa R. Yates. Her direct line is (301) 932-3201, and her email is lisa.yates@mdcourts.gov. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For criminal case inquiries, calling the criminal department line at (301) 932-3220 is the fastest route to someone who can help. The general clerk line handles all case types and may be slower during busy periods.
| Circuit Court Address | 200 Charles Street, La Plata, MD 20646 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (301) 932-3201 |
| Criminal Department | (301) 932-3220 |
| Clerk | Lisa R. Yates | lisa.yates@mdcourts.gov |
| Website | www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/charles |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Waldorf residents making the trip to La Plata should plan around the courthouse's 4:30 p.m. closing time. The office does not have late hours and is closed on state holidays. Bring the case number or the defendant's full name along with a photo ID to make the in-person process go faster.
Searching Waldorf Criminal Cases Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal covers Charles County criminal records and is the easiest way to look up Waldorf cases from home. Circuit Court records go back to 1998. District Court records start from 1989. Search by name, case number, or date range. The portal is free and open around the clock.
Results show docket entries, case status, hearing dates, and party names. For most people checking on a case, the online portal has enough information. If you need physical copies or a certified document, you will need to contact the clerk's office in La Plata directly.
How to Get Copies of Waldorf Court Records
Standard copy fees at the Charles County Circuit Court are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $0.50 per page for the attached document. You can request copies in person at 200 Charles Street in La Plata or by mail. Bring a photo ID and the case number when you visit in person. The staff will pull the file and give you a cost estimate before you pay.
For mail requests, write to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 200 Charles Street, La Plata, MD 20646. Your letter needs the defendant's name, the case number, a list of the specific documents you want, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a money order for the estimated cost. Call the criminal department at (301) 932-3220 beforehand to get a page count and estimate if you are unsure of the total fee.
The clerk's office does not do criminal background checks. To get a full background check, contact the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) at 1-888-795-0011. A Maryland-only check costs $18. A state plus FBI check costs $38. Background checks and court records are two different things and must be requested from different offices.
Note: Money orders for Charles County Circuit Court should be made payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Charles County.
Charles County District Court
The District Court for Charles County is at 11 Washington Avenue in La Plata, MD 20646. The phone is (301) 934-5110. District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, civil matters under $30,000, and preliminary hearings for felony charges before they move to Circuit Court.
District Court records from 1989 forward are in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system alongside Circuit Court records. Most misdemeanor Waldorf cases will appear under the District Court portion of the database. If a defendant in a District Court case asked for a jury trial, the case moved to Circuit Court, and those records are at the clerk's office at 200 Charles Street.
Charles County Sheriff
The Charles County Sheriff's Office is at 6915 Crain Highway, La Plata, MD 20646. The phone is (301) 609-6543. The website is www.ccso.us.
Sheriff records cover arrest reports, incident reports, and warrant information for Charles County, which includes Waldorf. These are not the same as court case records. You need to request them through the Maryland Public Information Act process directly with the Sheriff's Office. The office has 30 days to respond to a written request. Court documents come from the Circuit Court Clerk in La Plata and require a separate request. Get both separately if you need both.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Maryland cities near Waldorf with criminal court records pages on this site.
Charles County Court Records
All Waldorf criminal court records are filed with Charles County. Visit the county page for the complete breakdown of court services and access options.