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Baltimore Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Baltimore, Maryland?

Arrest records are public in Baltimore, 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 arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about governmental activities, including law enforcement actions. The statute serves to promote transparency, accountability, and public oversight of the criminal justice system in Baltimore and throughout Maryland.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under § 4-301 through § 4-355, which may include ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. However, the general rule remains that basic arrest information is considered public record and is available for inspection by any person upon request to the appropriate custodial agency.

How to Look Up Baltimore Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking to access Baltimore arrest records in 2025 have multiple official channels available. The following methods are authorized pursuant to Maryland law:

In-Person Requests at Police Departments: Individuals may submit requests directly to the Baltimore Police Department Records Division at 601 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. A valid government-issued photo identification is required when requesting records in person.
Baltimore County Police Department: For arrests in Baltimore County, records may be requested online or in person at 700 E. Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286. Phone: 410-887-2214.
Maryland State Police Central Records Division: The Central Records Division maintains statewide arrest records at 1711 Belmont Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21244. Phone: 410-298-3883.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search: The public may access court case information, including information about arrests that led to charges, through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search online portal. This resource is maintained by the Maryland Judiciary and is available 24 hours per day.
District Court of Maryland: Records related to criminal cases may be obtained from the District Court where the case was processed. The Baltimore City District Court is located at 5800 Wabash Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. Phone: 410-878-8500.

Pursuant to § 10-221 of the Criminal Procedure Article, a reasonable fee may be charged for the search and preparation of records. Current fees are $15 per report for non-victims, while crime victims may receive a copy of their incident report at no charge.

Contents of a Baltimore Arrest Record

Baltimore arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Maryland law enforcement protocols. These official documents typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s)
Statutory citations for violations of Maryland Criminal Code or Baltimore City Code
Identity of the arresting agency and badge numbers of arresting officers
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying marks
Case disposition information, if available
Bail or bond information
Court docket numbers associated with the case

The Maryland Public Information Act permits redaction of certain sensitive information from arrest records prior to public disclosure, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and other protected personal identifiers as specified in § 4-331 through § 4-342 of the General Provisions Article.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Maryland

The management and disclosure of arrest records in Baltimore operates within a comprehensive legal framework established by state law. The following statutes and regulations govern these records:

Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA): Codified under §§ 4-101 through 4-601 of the General Provisions Article, this act establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest records, with certain exceptions.
Criminal Procedure Article § 10-201 through § 10-239: These provisions govern the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information by law enforcement agencies in Maryland.
Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 12.15.01: These administrative regulations establish procedures for the Criminal Justice Information System and detail requirements for handling criminal history record information.
Baltimore City Code, Article 19: Local ordinances may contain additional provisions regarding public access to city records, including those maintained by the Baltimore Police Department.

Law enforcement agencies in Baltimore must comply with these legal requirements when processing requests for arrest records. The Baltimore City Law Department, located at 100 N. Holliday Street, Room 101, Baltimore, MD 21202 (Phone: 410-396-3297), provides oversight regarding compliance with public information laws.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Baltimore

Maryland law provides a process for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to § 10-101 through § 10-110 of the Criminal Procedure Article, individuals may petition for expungement when:

The arrest resulted in a disposition of acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, or stet
The individual received a probation before judgment (except for certain violations)
The individual received a pardon from the Governor
The individual was convicted of a crime that is eligible for expungement under § 10-110
The individual was charged with a civil offense or infraction as a substitute for a criminal charge

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court where the case was disposed. Standard petition forms are available from the Maryland Courts website or at any District Court location. The Baltimore City District Court processes expungement petitions at:

Baltimore City District Court
5800 Wabash Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: 410-878-8500
Official Website

A filing fee of $30 applies to each petition, though this fee may be waived upon demonstration of indigence. Following submission, the State's Attorney's Office has 30 days to file an objection. If no objection is filed, the court may grant the expungement without a hearing. If an objection is filed, a hearing will be scheduled where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement.

Upon approval, the court issues an Order for Expungement directing all custodial agencies to remove the records from public access. Agencies have 60 days to comply and must submit a Certificate of Compliance to the court.

Accessing Criminal Statistics for Baltimore

The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services maintains comprehensive crime statistics for Baltimore and other jurisdictions throughout Maryland. These statistics provide context for understanding arrest patterns and crime trends in the region. The Maryland Statistical Analysis Center, operating under this office, publishes regular reports analyzing crime data collected through the Maryland National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS).

The Baltimore Police Department also publishes crime statistics through its Open Data portal, which includes information on arrests, reported crimes, and other law enforcement activities. This information is updated regularly and is available for public review and analysis.

Researchers, journalists, and members of the public may utilize these resources to examine trends in arrests and criminal activity throughout Baltimore. Statistical reports are available in various formats, including downloadable datasets that can be analyzed using standard statistical software.