Arrest records are public in Allegany County, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under General Provisions Article §§ 4-101 through 4-601. This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of governmental records without requiring a statement of purpose. The MPIA serves to enhance governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records documenting official actions and decisions.
The Circuit Court for Allegany County maintains criminal records that are available for public inspection during regular business hours. Pursuant to Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912, certain limitations may apply to specific records based on statutory exemptions or court orders sealing particular documents. Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while most information is accessible, certain details may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in § 4-301 of the General Provisions Article.
Arrest records for Allegany County can be accessed online through several official platforms. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-901, provides electronic access to case records for the Circuit Courts and District Courts throughout Maryland, including Allegany County.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search database contains information regarding criminal cases, including defendant names, case numbers, filing dates, charges, and case dispositions. This resource is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, subject to occasional maintenance periods. Users should note that pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-905, certain case information may be shielded from public view based on statutory requirements or court orders.
The Allegany County Sheriff's Office and the Cumberland Police Department also maintain limited online databases of recent arrests and inmate information. These resources are updated regularly but may not contain comprehensive historical data. For complete arrest records, individuals may need to supplement online searches with in-person requests at the appropriate agencies.
To obtain Allegany County arrest records in 2025, several official channels are available to members of the public:
Circuit Court Records: The Circuit Court for Allegany County maintains official court records related to criminal cases. Individuals may request these records in person at the courthouse.
Circuit Court for Allegany County
30 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-777-5922
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Criminal Department Records: The Criminal Department of the Circuit Court specifically handles criminal case records and can provide detailed information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Sheriff's Office Records: The Allegany County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for individuals processed through their department. Requests for these records must be submitted in writing using the designated form available at their office.
Allegany County Sheriff's Office
695 Kelly Road, Suite 100
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-777-1585
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cumberland Police Department: For arrests made within Cumberland city limits, records may be requested from the Cumberland Police Department.
Cumberland Police Department
20 Bedford Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-777-1600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Maryland State Police: The Central Records Division of the Maryland State Police maintains records of arrests made by state troopers in Allegany County.
Pursuant to Maryland General Provisions Article § 4-206, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, preparation, and reproduction of records. Payment methods typically include cash, money orders, or certified checks. Personal checks may not be accepted by all agencies.
Allegany County arrest records, maintained in accordance with Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-201 et seq., typically contain the following information:
The Combined County Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I), which handles serious criminal offenses in Allegany County, may provide additional investigative information in certain cases, subject to restrictions related to ongoing investigations pursuant to General Provisions Article § 4-351.
Members of the public should note that juvenile records are generally not included in publicly accessible arrest records, as they are subject to confidentiality provisions under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 3-8A-27.
Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Allegany County pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110. Expungement removes records from public inspection and effectively shields them from disclosure. The following criteria generally govern eligibility for expungement:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court for Allegany County where the case was adjudicated. Standard petition forms are available from the Clerk's Office or online through the Maryland Judiciary website. A filing fee of $30 applies to each petition, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners pursuant to Maryland Rule 1-325.
Upon receipt of a petition, the court forwards copies to the State's Attorney and law enforcement agencies holding the records. These agencies have 30 days to file objections. If no objections are filed, or if the court overrules any objections after a hearing, an Order for Expungement will be issued. Agencies then have 60 days to comply with the order and certify compliance to the court.
Expunged records are not destroyed but are removed from public access and segregated from other records. Disclosure of expunged records is prohibited except in limited circumstances specified by statute.