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Cumberland Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cumberland, Maryland?

Arrest records are public in Cumberland, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under §§ 4-101 through 4-601 of the General Provisions Article. This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about government operations, including law enforcement activities.

The Cumberland Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with state regulations and makes these records available through established protocols. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental functions, including:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitating public oversight of police activities
Providing necessary information for background checks
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld if they contain confidential information as defined in § 4-301 through § 4-326 of the General Provisions Article, such as juvenile records, ongoing investigation details, or information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

How to Look Up Cumberland Arrest Records in 2025

The retrieval of arrest records in Cumberland involves several procedural options established by municipal and state authorities. As of 2025, members of the public may access these records through the following official channels:

Online Access

The Cumberland Police Department maintains a digital records system accessible through their official website. Users must register for an account and may be required to pay nominal processing fees as established by departmental policy. The online system provides access to basic arrest information, though certain details may require in-person verification.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit requests in person at:

Cumberland Police Department
20 Bedford Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-777-1600
Cumberland Police Department

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.

Court Records Access

Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through:

Circuit Court for Allegany County
30 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-777-5922
Allegany County Court Records

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted via certified mail to the Records Division at the Cumberland Police Department address listed above. Requests must include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest
Case number (if known)
Requestor's contact information
Notarized signature if requesting records of another individual

Pursuant to Cumberland Police Department arrest procedures, processing times for record requests typically range from 7 to 10 business days.

Contents of a Cumberland Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Cumberland Police Department and the Combined County Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) contain standardized information as mandated by Maryland state law. These records typically include the following components:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or previous names
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Agency case number
Statutory authority for the arrest (warrant, probable cause, etc.)
Miranda warning documentation

Offense Information

Criminal charges filed
Maryland criminal code citations
Narrative description of alleged criminal activity
Victim information (with appropriate redactions)
Evidence collected during arrest

Processing Information

Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Property inventory
Medical screening results
Detention facility assignment

Case Disposition

Court appearance dates
Bail or bond information
Preliminary hearing outcomes
Final disposition of charges

It should be noted that pursuant to § 10-219 of the Criminal Procedure Article, certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, particularly details that might compromise ongoing investigations or endanger witnesses.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cumberland

The expungement process in Cumberland follows Maryland state law as outlined in Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the Criminal Procedure Article. Expungement refers to the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under the following circumstances:

The arrest did not result in charges (must wait 3 years or submit a General Waiver)
The charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
The case resulted in probation before judgment (after completion of probation)
The case was placed on the stet docket (must wait 3 years)
The case resulted in a nolle prosequi
The Governor granted a full pardon

Certain convictions may be eligible for expungement after waiting periods ranging from 3 to 15 years, depending on the offense category, pursuant to § 10-110 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

Filing Procedures

Petitions for expungement must be filed with:

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Allegany County
30 Washington Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
301-777-5922

The petition must include:

Certified copies of all relevant court documents
Filing fee of $30 (may be waived for indigent petitioners)
Completed petition form (CC-DC-CR-072)
General Waiver and Release form if applicable (CC-DC-CR-078)

Upon receipt of a petition, the court forwards copies to the State's Attorney and law enforcement agencies. These entities have 30 days to file objections. If no objections are filed, the court may grant the expungement without a hearing. If objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled.

Effect of Expungement

When an expungement order is issued by the court, all public records relating to the arrest are removed from public access. Agencies maintaining these records must comply within 60 days by:

Removing all records from public databases
Sealing physical records
In some cases, destroying records completely

After expungement, the individual may legally respond to questions about the arrest as if it never occurred, except in specific circumstances outlined in § 10-109 of the Criminal Procedure Article.