Baltimore County Criminal Records
What Is Baltimore County Criminal Records
Baltimore County criminal records are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Baltimore County, Maryland. These records are maintained pursuant to Maryland Public Information Act § 4-101, which establishes the framework for record creation, maintenance, and public access.
Criminal records in Baltimore County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Baltimore County Police Department or the Baltimore County Sheriff's Office
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Court Records: Comprehensive case files maintained by the judiciary
- Correctional Records: Information regarding incarceration, probation, and parole
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records confirm that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt. Under Maryland law, both types of records are generally accessible to the public, though with certain limitations.
Criminal offenses in Baltimore County are categorized as either felonies or misdemeanors:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by imprisonment of one year or less
Juvenile records receive special protection under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3-8A-27, which generally seals these records from public view to protect the privacy and future prospects of young offenders.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Baltimore County:
Baltimore County Police Department
700 E. Joppa Road
Towson, MD 21286
410-887-2214
Baltimore County Police Department
Circuit Court for Baltimore County
401 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
410-887-2601
Circuit Court for Baltimore County
Baltimore County Sheriff's Office
401 Bosley Avenue, Room 100
Towson, MD 21204
410-887-3151
Baltimore County Sheriff's Office
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
300 E. Joppa Road, Suite 1000
Towson, MD 21286
410-339-5000
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Are Criminal Records Public In Baltimore County
Criminal records in Baltimore County are generally accessible to the public under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) § 4-101 et seq., which establishes the presumption that government records should be available for public inspection. The MPIA states that "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."
The Maryland Public Information Act specifically provides that:
"All persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."
However, the law also recognizes important exceptions to protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and other sensitive information. Under § 4-301 through § 4-355 of the MPIA, certain records are exempt from disclosure.
Records that are generally public in Baltimore County include:
- Adult conviction records
- Court proceedings and case dispositions
- Sentencing information
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Arrest records (with limitations)
Records that are typically restricted from public access include:
- Ongoing criminal investigations, as protected under § 4-351
- Sealed or expunged records pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure § 10-105
- Juvenile records, which are confidential under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3-8A-27
- Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Records containing confidential commercial or financial information
The Maryland Judiciary has implemented specific policies regarding court records access through Maryland Rule 16-901, which governs public access to judicial records while balancing transparency with privacy concerns.
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Baltimore County should be aware that while the presumption favors disclosure, certain information may be redacted or withheld based on statutory exemptions. Additionally, records that have been expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access entirely.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Baltimore County in 2026
Members of the public may access Baltimore County criminal records through several established channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the maintaining agency.
For court records, individuals may utilize the following procedure:
- Identify the appropriate court (District or Circuit) where the case was heard
- Prepare a records request with specific identifying information (full name, case number if known, approximate date)
- Submit the request either in person, by mail, or through online systems where available
- Pay applicable fees as established by the Maryland Judiciary
In-person requests may be submitted at:
Circuit Court for Baltimore County
401 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
410-887-2601
Circuit Court for Baltimore County
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
For law enforcement records, the process typically involves:
- Completing the Baltimore County Police Department Records Request Form
- Providing proper identification
- Submitting the request to the Records Management Section
- Paying established fees (currently $20 for most record searches)
Records requests may be submitted to:
Baltimore County Police Department Records Management Section
700 E. Joppa Road
Towson, MD 21286
410-887-2214
Baltimore County Police Department
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may request a background check through:
Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)
6776 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-764-4501
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure § 10-219, individuals may also request their own criminal history record for review and possible challenge of inaccuracies. The fee for this service is currently $38 for a full background check.
How To Find Criminal Records in Baltimore County Online?
Baltimore County residents and interested parties may access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to public information while adhering to relevant privacy statutes.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Baltimore County include:
Maryland Judiciary Case Search
This comprehensive database provides access to court records from both the District and Circuit Courts throughout Maryland, including Baltimore County. Users may search by:
- Name (first and last required)
- Case number
- Citation number
- Property address
The system is available at Maryland Judiciary Case Search and operates 24 hours daily with occasional maintenance periods. No registration is required, though users must agree to terms of use. The database includes:
- Case status
- Charges
- Hearing dates
- Case disposition
- Sentencing information
Baltimore County Detention Center Inmate Lookup
This portal provides current information on individuals currently incarcerated in the Baltimore County Detention Center. The search function allows queries by:
- Inmate name
- Booking number
Information available includes:
- Current charges
- Bond amounts
- Scheduled release dates (when applicable)
- Court dates
Maryland Sex Offender Registry
Maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, this database allows searches for registered sex offenders residing in Baltimore County. Search options include:
- Name search
- Geographic search (address, neighborhood, zip code)
- Non-compliant offender search
Maryland Judiciary eWarrants System
Law enforcement and authorized judicial personnel have access to the eWarrants system, which contains information on active warrants. While not directly accessible to the public, information about whether an individual has an active warrant may be obtained by contacting the Baltimore County Sheriff's Office.
Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive, as certain documents require in-person inspection due to formatting limitations or privacy restrictions pursuant to Maryland Public Information Act § 4-301. Additionally, some court documents may only be available through the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system, which requires registration and, in some cases, attorney credentials.
Can You Search Baltimore County Criminal Records for Free?
Baltimore County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records without charge, while other records require payment of statutory fees. The Maryland Public Information Act § 4-206 establishes the framework for fees associated with records requests.
Free access options include:
In-Person Inspection
The Maryland Public Information Act guarantees the right to inspect public records during normal business hours at no cost. Individuals may visit the following locations to view records without charge:
Circuit Court for Baltimore County
401 Bosley Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
410-887-2601
Circuit Court for Baltimore County
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Baltimore County Police Department Records Division
700 E. Joppa Road
Towson, MD 21286
410-887-2214
Baltimore County Police Department
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Online Resources
Several digital platforms provide free access to criminal record information:
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search - Provides free access to court case information statewide, including Baltimore County cases
- Baltimore County Police Department Daily Crime Blotter - Lists recent arrests and incidents
- Maryland Sex Offender Registry - Allows free searches for registered sex offenders in Baltimore County
While inspection is free, reproduction of records typically incurs fees. Current fee schedules include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies of court documents: $5.00 per document
- Criminal history reports: $38.00 per report
- Specialized searches requiring staff research: $25.00 per hour after the first two hours
Fee waivers may be available under § 4-206(e) of the Maryland Public Information Act for requests that are "in the public interest." Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship and explain how disclosure serves the public interest rather than a personal or commercial interest.
What's Included in a Baltimore County Criminal Record?
Baltimore County criminal records contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with Maryland Criminal Procedure § 10-201, which establishes standards for criminal history record information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility location
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction (District or Circuit)
- Filing date
- Charges filed with statutory citations
- Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea entered
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Hearing dates and proceedings
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or peace orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges
- Probation/parole status reports
Criminal records in Baltimore County do not typically include:
- Juvenile records (unless the juvenile was charged as an adult)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records deemed confidential under Maryland law
- Mental health evaluations or treatment information
- Victim information (redacted for privacy)
The comprehensiveness of criminal records varies based on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and whether records have been subject to expungement or sealing orders pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure § 10-105.
How Long Does Baltimore County Keep Criminal Records?
Baltimore County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Maryland State Archives and in compliance with Maryland State Government Code § 10-633, which governs records retention. The duration of record maintenance varies by record type and offense severity.
Court records in Baltimore County are generally retained according to the following schedule:
- Felony Cases: Permanent retention for serious felonies including homicide, sexual assault, and kidnapping
- Other Felonies: 75 years from date of final disposition
- Misdemeanors: 10-25 years from date of final disposition, depending on offense type
- Traffic Violations: 3-10 years, depending on severity
Law enforcement records follow different retention guidelines:
- Arrest Records: 75 years for felonies; 25 years for misdemeanors
- Investigation Reports: Permanent retention for homicides and unsolved serious crimes; 25 years for other felonies; 10 years for misdemeanors
- Booking Photographs: Retained in accordance with the corresponding arrest record
Correctional records maintained by the Baltimore County Department of Corrections typically follow these retention periods:
- Inmate Files: 10 years after final release from custody or supervision
- Probation/Parole Records: 10 years after completion of supervision
It is important to note that expungement orders issued pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure § 10-105 supersede standard retention schedules. When a court grants an expungement, records must be removed from public access and either physically destroyed or segregated according to the court order.
Digital records maintained in databases such as the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) may be retained indefinitely, though access restrictions may apply to older records or those subject to special statutory protections.
The Maryland State Archives serves as the ultimate repository for permanent court records after their active use period has concluded. Records transferred to the Archives remain accessible to the public subject to statutory limitations on disclosure.
Lookup Criminal Records in Baltimore County
The Baltimore City Sheriff's Office
Circuit Court for Baltimore County, MD - Clerk's Office
Background Check Services - Maryland Department of Public Safety