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Anne Arundel County, Maryland Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Anne Arundel County, Maryland?

Arrest records are public in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under §§ 4-101 through 4-601 of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest information, unless specifically exempted by statute. The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about government operations, which includes law enforcement activities and arrests.

The Maryland judiciary maintains these records as part of its commitment to transparency in the criminal justice system. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions, including:

  • Promoting accountability within law enforcement agencies
  • Enabling community awareness of public safety matters
  • Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
  • Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
  • Ensuring due process through open court proceedings

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, compromise an ongoing investigation, or endanger an individual's safety. These determinations are made in accordance with §4-351 of the General Provisions Article.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Anne Arundel County?

Anne Arundel County arrest records are accessible online through several official digital platforms. The primary resource for electronic access is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, a comprehensive database maintained by the Maryland Judiciary that provides public access to court case records, including information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings.

The online availability of these records is governed by Maryland Rule 16-901, which establishes parameters for electronic access to judicial records. Users of the Maryland Judiciary Case Search can locate arrest information by searching an individual's name, case number, or other identifiers. The system provides case status, charging information, scheduled hearings, and disposition details.

Additional online resources for arrest record information include:

  • The Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office website, which may publish information about recent arrests and wanted persons
  • The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Inmate Locator, which provides custody status for individuals who have been processed into the state correctional system
  • The Anne Arundel County Police Department's online crime reports and statistics

Electronic access to these records is subject to the same legal restrictions that apply to physical records, with certain sensitive information redacted in accordance with state law.

How to Look Up Anne Arundel County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Anne Arundel County have multiple avenues available for conducting searches. The following methods are authorized under Maryland law for obtaining arrest record information:

  1. Online Database Searches

  2. In-Person Requests at Court Facilities

    • Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County 8 Church Circle Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-222-1397 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

    • District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County (Annapolis Location) 251 Rowe Boulevard Annapolis, MD 21401-1586 Phone: 410-260-1370 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

    • District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County (Glen Burnie Location) 7500 Gov. Ritchie Highway Glen Burnie, MD 21061-3705 Phone: 410-260-1800 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

  3. Law Enforcement Agency Requests

    • Anne Arundel County Police Department 8495 Veterans Highway Millersville, MD 21108 Phone: 410-222-8050 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

    • Maryland State Police - Central Records Division 1201 Reisterstown Road Pikesville, MD 21208 Phone: 410-653-4500 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

  4. Written Requests

    • Submit a formal Maryland Public Information Act request to the appropriate agency
    • Include specific information to identify the records sought
    • Pay applicable fees as established by state regulations

Pursuant to §4-206 of the General Provisions Article, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search and reproduction of records. Fee waivers may be available if the applicant demonstrates financial hardship and a public interest purpose for the request.

Contents of an Anne Arundel County Arrest Record

Anne Arundel County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Maryland law and judicial administrative procedures. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information:

  • Full legal name and any known aliases
  • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
  • Gender and race (as identified by arresting officer)
  • Home address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
  • Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
  • Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars (if noted)

Arrest Details:

  • Date, time, and location of arrest
  • Arresting agency and officer identification
  • Booking number and processing information
  • Probable cause statement or basis for arrest
  • Miranda rights acknowledgment

Criminal Charges:

  • Specific statutory violations cited
  • Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
  • Case numbers assigned by the court
  • Preliminary hearing information
  • Bail or bond determination

Biometric Data:

  • Fingerprint classification and identification
  • Booking photograph (mugshot)
  • DNA collection status (if applicable)

Case Disposition:

  • Court appearance dates
  • Plea information
  • Trial outcomes (if case proceeded to trial)
  • Sentencing details (if convicted)
  • Probation or parole status

The Maryland Central Records Division, operating under the authority of Public Safety Article 2 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, maintains the official repository of arrest records and criminal history information. Access to complete records may require proper identification and may be subject to restrictions based on the purpose of the request and the requestor's relationship to the case.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Anne Arundel County

The expungement process in Anne Arundel County provides a legal mechanism for removing arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. This procedure is governed by Maryland Criminal Procedure Article, §§ 10-101 through 10-110, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Eligibility Criteria for Expungement:

Individuals may petition for expungement if their case resulted in:

  • Acquittal (finding of not guilty)
  • Dismissal of charges
  • Nolle prosequi (prosecutor's decision not to pursue charges)
  • Stet (indefinite postponement of prosecution)
  • Probation before judgment (PBJ), after completion of probation
  • Conviction for certain misdemeanors after the applicable waiting period
  • Pardon by the Governor

Expungement Application Process:

  1. Obtain and complete the appropriate petition form (CC-DC-CR-072A or CC-DC-CR-072B) from the Maryland Courts website

  2. File the petition with the clerk of the court where the case was disposed:

    • For Circuit Court cases: Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County 8 Church Circle Annapolis, MD 21401

    • For District Court cases: District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County 251 Rowe Boulevard Annapolis, MD 21401-1586

  3. Pay the filing fee (currently $30 per case for guilty dispositions, no fee for non-guilty dispositions)

  4. Serve a copy of the petition on the State's Attorney's Office: Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office 8 Church Circle Annapolis, MD 21401

  5. Attend any scheduled hearing if the State's Attorney files an objection

Post-Expungement Status:

Upon granting of an expungement order:

  • Court records are removed from public access
  • Law enforcement agency records are sealed or destroyed
  • The individual may legally respond to questions about the arrest as if it never occurred, with limited exceptions

Pursuant to §10-109 of the Criminal Procedure Article, it is unlawful for employers, educational institutions, or licensing agencies to require disclosure of expunged records. Violations may result in civil penalties and injunctive relief.

The expungement process typically takes 90 days from filing if there is no objection from the State's Attorney. Individuals with questions about their specific eligibility should consult with a legal professional or the Maryland Courts Self-Help Center.

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