> >Arnold Arrest Records

Arnold Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Arnold, Maryland?

Arrest records are public in Arnold, 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 all government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions. The fundamental principle underlying this legislation is to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations, particularly within law enforcement agencies serving the Arnold community.

The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about governmental activities. Law enforcement agencies in Arnold are required to maintain and, upon request, disclose arrest records in accordance with established protocols. However, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in § 4-301 of the General Provisions Article.

How to Look Up Arnold Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Arnold, Maryland have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The following official channels provide reliable access to arrest documentation:

Anne Arundel County Police Department
8495 Veterans Highway
Millersville, MD 21108
410-222-8050
Anne Arundel County Police Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court
8 Church Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-1397
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search
This online database provides public access to case records maintained by the Maryland Judiciary. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate arrest information.
Maryland State Police Central Records Division
1201 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208
410-653-4500
Maryland State Police Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Requestors should be prepared to submit a formal written request when seeking arrest records in person. Pursuant to § 4-202 of the General Provisions Article, custodians of records must respond to requests within 30 days, though many agencies provide records more expeditiously.

Contents of an Arnold Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Arnold, Maryland typically contain comprehensive documentation of the circumstances surrounding an individual's apprehension. Standard components of these records include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed narrative of the alleged criminal offense(s)
Statutory citations for violations of Maryland Criminal Code
Identifying information of the arresting officer(s), including name and badge number
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Custody status and bail determination information
Case disposition if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)

It should be noted that pursuant to § 4-301 of the General Provisions Article, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations or endanger witnesses.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The disclosure of arrest records in Arnold operates within a structured legal framework established by both state and federal statutes. The Maryland Public Information Act serves as the primary legislative authority governing access to these records, with additional provisions found in the following:

Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-201 through § 10-209 establishes protocols for the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information.
Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 12.15.01 provides detailed administrative regulations regarding criminal history record information and its appropriate handling by governmental agencies.
Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) imposes limitations on the disclosure of records maintained by federal agencies, which may impact federally-involved arrests in Arnold.

The Maryland Court of Appeals has consistently upheld the public's right to access arrest records while balancing privacy concerns in cases such as Maryland Department of State Police v. Maryland State Conference of NAACP Branches (2015) and Superintendent v. Henschen (2008).

Custodians of records in Arnold must adhere to these legal frameworks when processing requests for arrest information. Pursuant to § 4-206 of the General Provisions Article, reasonable fees may be assessed for the reproduction of records, though fee waivers may be granted when disclosure serves the public interest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Arnold

Maryland law provides mechanisms through which individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which records of criminal arrests and proceedings are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110 establishes the following eligibility criteria for expungement in Arnold:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi may qualify for immediate expungement
Cases resulting in probation before judgment (PBJ) may qualify after completion of probation
Certain convictions may qualify after waiting periods ranging from 3 to 15 years, depending on the offense
First-time non-violent offenses may qualify under the Justice Reinvestment Act provisions

The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the court that adjudicated the case. The standard form (CC-DC-CR-072) must be submitted to:

District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County
251 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-260-1370
District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Upon receipt of a petition, the court will notify the State's Attorney and any involved law enforcement agencies, which 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. The agencies must then comply within 60 days and file Certificates of Compliance with the court.

Limitations on Access to Juvenile Arrest Records

Arrest records pertaining to juvenile offenders in Arnold are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Maryland law. The Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 3-8A-27 establishes that police records concerning children are confidential and shall not be divulged to the public except by court order.

The following provisions apply specifically to juvenile arrest records in Arnold:

Records of law enforcement agencies concerning juvenile arrests are not open to public inspection
Court records in juvenile proceedings are confidential and may only be accessed by authorized parties
Fingerprints and photographs of juveniles may only be maintained under restricted circumstances
Disclosure of juvenile records without proper authorization constitutes a misdemeanor under Maryland law

Authorized parties who may access juvenile records include the juvenile's attorney, parents or guardians, court personnel, and agencies providing treatment or supervision of the juvenile. All other requests for access must be directed to the juvenile court, which may grant access only upon showing of good cause.