Maryland Criminal Records

Maryland criminal records are largely public, and most can be searched online for free through the state courts, the corrections department, and the sex offender registry. This guide explains where to look, what each source shows, and how Maryland's laws on expungement, background checks, and offense classification actually work. It was last reviewed in June 2026; always confirm current details on the official state pages linked below.

Are criminal records public in Maryland?

Yes. Under the Maryland Public Information Act (General Provisions Article, Title 4), records held by state and local agencies are presumed open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. That means most adult criminal court records, conviction information, inmate records, and the sex offender registry can be inspected by anyone. There are important exceptions: records that have been expunged or shielded, sealed juvenile records, and certain non-conviction outcomes are removed from public online view, even though the underlying event happened.

How do I find criminal court records in Maryland?

The main tool is Maryland Judiciary Case Search, the free statewide portal covering District Court and Circuit Court cases in all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. In March 2026 the Judiciary replaced the old Case Search with a redesigned Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Record Portal, which integrates the former Case Search and Record Search into one site. The public still gets the same level of access: you can search by name or case number and see case numbers, charges, filing and hearing dates, and dispositions.

Keep two limits in mind. First, Case Search is a summary index, not the full case file, so it does not contain every document. Second, Maryland removes some criminal entries from the public online view, including charges that ended in a dismissal, a nolle prosequi (the state dropped the charge), or an acquittal (not guilty). Those may still be viewable in person at the courthouse where the case was heard. For the official rules on what is and is not online, see the Judiciary's Court Records page.

How do I get a copy of my own Maryland criminal history?

For an official, fingerprint-based record of your own history, you go to the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository, run by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). This is the authoritative state rap sheet, which is more complete than Case Search and is what many licensing boards and employers rely on.

To request your own individual review, you are fingerprinted at an authorized live-scan or ink fingerprinting location, and the results are sent to the CJIS Central Repository. As listed on the DPSCS Background Check page, the mail-in fee is generally:

• $18.00 for a Maryland state-only background check.
• $30.00 for a full check that also includes the FBI (national) record.

After the Repository receives your fingerprint card, results are typically returned in about 10 to 15 days. You can reach the CJIS Central Repository at 410-764-4501 or toll-free at 1-888-795-0011. Fees and procedures change, so confirm the current amount on the DPSCS page before you mail anything.

How do I find Maryland mugshots and arrest records?

Maryland does not run a single statewide public mugshot website. A booking photo is taken when someone is arrested and processed, and it becomes part of that agency's arrest or booking record. Where you find it depends on who made the arrest:

• County detention centers and sheriff's offices often post a jail roster or daily booking list, and some include the booking photo, charges, and bond. Availability varies a lot by county; larger jurisdictions such as Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County tend to post more online than smaller, rural ones.
• For someone currently held, use the inmate and detainee tools described below rather than searching for a photo.
• If a booking record is not online, you can request it from the arresting police department, the sheriff, or the county detention center, subject to the Maryland Public Information Act and any law-enforcement exemptions.

Two cautions. An arrest record or mugshot reflects a charge, not a conviction, and a charge that was dropped or that ended in acquittal does not mean the person was found guilty. Commercial "mugshot" sites are not official and are often outdated; for accurate, current status, use the state sources listed at the end of this page.

How do I look up an inmate in Maryland?

For people committed to the state prison system, use the DPSCS Incarcerated Individual Locator. It shows the housing location of individuals in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction (the Division of Correction, Patuxent Institution, and, for some short sentences, pretrial and detention facilities). The locator is intentionally limited: it confirms where someone is held, not their full record. For complete inmate records, contact DPSCS directly.

People held in county jails before sentencing usually are not in the state locator. To check across the state, including local facilities, and to get release-status alerts, use Maryland VINE (VINELink), the victim notification network, or call 1-866-634-8463. Many counties also publish their own jail rosters.

How do I check for an arrest warrant in Maryland?

Warrants are issued by the courts, so an outstanding warrant may appear as an entry in Maryland Judiciary Case Search, though open warrant details are not always fully visible online for safety reasons. To confirm whether you or someone else has an active warrant, you can also contact the clerk of the District or Circuit Court in the county where charges were filed, or the local sheriff's office. If the warrant is yours, talk to a defense attorney before acting on it, because how you resolve it affects your options.

How do I find sex offenders in Maryland?

Maryland's public registry, often called Megan's Law, is maintained by DPSCS, not the prison division. Search it free at the Maryland Sex Offender Registry by name or by location after agreeing to the terms of use. Maryland uses a three-tier system based on the offense:

• Tier I: register for 15 years (which can be reduced to 10 years if certain conditions are met), with in-person verification every 6 months.
• Tier II: register for 25 years, verifying every 6 months.
• Tier III: register for life, verifying every 3 months.

Using registry information to harass or threaten a registrant is itself a crime.

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Maryland?

Maryland classifies crimes by the specific offense in its statutes rather than by letter or class grades like "Class A felony" that some states use. The traditional rule is that a felony is a more serious crime and a misdemeanor is a lesser one, but in Maryland the line is not simply about prison length. Some Maryland misdemeanors carry potential sentences far longer than a year (for example, certain assault charges), so a misdemeanor here is not always "minor."

Penalties come from each offense's statute and from the advisory guidelines administered by the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy (MSCCSP), which judges weigh alongside prior history. Any sentencing range you read online is a general maximum, not a prediction for a specific case. For how a particular charge is likely to be treated, consult a Maryland criminal defense attorney or read the statute directly.

Is a DUI a crime in Maryland?

Yes. A common myth is that a Maryland DUI is "just a traffic ticket." Driving under the influence and driving while impaired are criminal offenses under the Maryland Transportation Article, section 21-902, and a conviction creates a criminal record. A first-offense DUI carries up to one year of incarceration and a fine; the related, lower-level DWI (driving while impaired) carries a shorter maximum. Many first-time offenders are eligible for Probation Before Judgment (PBJ), which, if granted and completed, can keep a conviction off the record, but the arrest and charge still exist unless and until expunged. Because penalties and license consequences are serious, this is an area where legal advice matters.

Can I expunge or shield a criminal record in Maryland?

Often, yes, and Maryland has expanded this significantly in recent years. Expungement removes records from public access; shielding limits public view of certain convictions. Recent reforms, including the REDEEM Act of 2023 and the Expungement Reform Act of 2025 (effective October 1, 2025), shortened waiting periods and broadened what qualifies. As a general guide:

• Charges that did not lead to a conviction (dismissals, acquittals, nolle prosequi, and similar outcomes) are often eligible to be expunged, sometimes immediately or after a short period.
• Many nonviolent misdemeanor convictions can be petitioned for expungement after about 5 years from completing the sentence (reduced from the older 10-year wait).
• Many nonviolent felony convictions can be petitioned after about 7 years (reduced from the older 15-year wait), with some specified offenses requiring longer.

The 2025 reform also lets some people who previously had a probation violation still seek expungement, where the old rules would have blocked them. Eligibility is offense-specific and there are exclusions, so check the Maryland Judiciary's expungement forms and instructions or talk to a lawyer or a legal-aid clinic before filing. These waiting periods and the eligible-offense lists changed recently and can change again.

How far back can a Maryland background check go for employment?

For most jobs, consumer reporting agencies generally may not report certain adverse information older than seven years on an employment background check, including older convictions and non-conviction arrest information, measured from the date of disposition, release, or parole. A notable exception: this seven-year limit does not apply when the position pays $75,000 or more per year, so older records can surface for higher-paying roles. These reporting rules sit alongside the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Maryland also has a statewide "ban the box" law. Employers with 15 or more employees generally may not ask about an applicant's criminal record before the first in-person interview, with exceptions where another law requires a background check (such as some jobs in education, health care, finance, and certain sensitive sectors). Individual counties and cities, such as Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Baltimore City, have their own, sometimes stricter, fair-hiring rules.

How do I find court records in a specific county like Montgomery County?

Maryland's case records are centralized, so you do not need a separate database for each county. Searching the statewide Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Record Portal returns District and Circuit Court cases for Montgomery County, Baltimore City, Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, and every other jurisdiction. Many county court websites simply link back to that same statewide portal. For documents that are not online, or for records removed from the public online view, contact the clerk of the Circuit Court in that county or visit the courthouse in person.

Are juvenile records public in Maryland?

Generally no. Juvenile court records in Maryland are confidential and are not posted on public Case Search. Access is limited to the people and agencies the law allows, such as the youth, their attorney, certain school and law-enforcement officials, and the court. Many juvenile records can be expunged, and Maryland law provides paths to clear qualifying juvenile records. Because the rules differ from the adult system, check with the juvenile court or a lawyer about a specific record.

Official Maryland criminal record sources

• Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Record Portal - free statewide court case search.
• Maryland Courts: Court Records - rules on access and what is online.
• DPSCS CJIS Background Check - get your own official criminal history.
• DPSCS Incarcerated Individual Locator - state prison inmate search.
• Maryland VINE (VINELink) - statewide custody status and notifications.
• Maryland Sex Offender Registry - search by name or location.

Disclosure: criminal.com may earn a commission when you use the people-search tool on this page, which is powered by a third-party background-check service. Results from such tools are for your personal knowledge only and may not be used to make decisions about employment, housing, credit, tenant screening, or any other purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). A mugshot or arrest record is not proof of guilt. This page is general information about Maryland public records, not legal advice; for advice about your situation, consult an attorney. Information was last reviewed in June 2026 and laws may change.