>Baltimore City County Arrest Records Online

Baltimore City Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Baltimore, Maryland?

Arrest records in Baltimore, Maryland are public documents accessible to citizens pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under Maryland Code, General Provisions Article, § 4-101 et seq. The MPIA establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for inspection by any person unless specifically exempted by law. This statutory framework promotes governmental transparency and accountability by allowing members of the public to monitor law enforcement activities within their communities.

The Baltimore Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations that balance public access rights with privacy considerations. While certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, the fundamental details of an arrest remain accessible to interested parties. This accessibility serves as an essential component of the checks and balances system within Maryland's criminal justice framework.

How to Look Up Baltimore Arrest Records in 2025

The Baltimore Police Department provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest records as of 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:

Submit a written request to the Baltimore Police Department Records Division at 601 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
Visit the Central Records Section in person during public counter hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) with proper identification.
Access the Maryland Judiciary Case Search online portal, which provides information on court cases resulting from arrests.
Contact the Baltimore Police Department Records Division by telephone at (410) 396-2222 to inquire about record availability.
Submit requests via the Maryland Public Information Act Request Portal, which processes government record requests electronically.

Requestors should note that pursuant to Maryland Code, General Provisions Article § 4-206, reasonable fees may be assessed for search, preparation, and reproduction of requested documents. Fee waivers may be available in cases where the applicant demonstrates financial hardship or where the information sought primarily benefits the public interest.

Contents of a Baltimore Arrest Record

Baltimore arrest records contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and address)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including citation of relevant Maryland criminal code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including processing location and assigned identification numbers
Fingerprint classification and identification data
Photographic documentation (mugshot) taken during processing
Preliminary statement of probable cause supporting the arrest
Disposition information indicating whether the individual was released on bail, held in custody, or transferred to another facility

These records are maintained in accordance with the Baltimore Police Department's record retention schedule as approved by the Maryland State Archives. The level of detail contained within arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the alleged offense and the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Baltimore

The State of Maryland provides a legal mechanism through which certain arrest records may be expunged from public access. Pursuant to Maryland Code, Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110, individuals may petition for expungement under specific qualifying circumstances. The expungement process effectively removes arrest records from public databases and prohibits their disclosure to third parties.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Baltimore include:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi
Arrests that did not result in charges being filed (after a waiting period of three years)
Convictions for certain misdemeanors after specified waiting periods (typically 10-15 years)
Convictions for specified non-violent crimes after completion of sentence and satisfaction of all court-ordered obligations
Arrests resulting from mistaken identity or identity fraud

Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the appropriate court having jurisdiction over the case. The standard filing fee is $30 per case, though fee waivers may be granted based on financial hardship. The petition is reviewed by the court and the State's Attorney's Office, which may contest the expungement request. If approved, the court issues an Order for Expungement directing all relevant agencies to remove the records from public access.

The Circuit Court for Baltimore City processes expungement petitions at:

Baltimore City Circuit Court
111 N. Calvert Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 333-3722
Baltimore City Circuit Court

For misdemeanor cases, petitions may be filed with:

District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City
501 E. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 878-8500
District Court of Maryland

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally accessible to the public, Maryland law establishes certain limitations on their disclosure. These restrictions serve to protect privacy interests and prevent potential misuse of sensitive information. Pursuant to Maryland Code, General Provisions Article § 4-301 through § 4-355, the following categories of information may be withheld or redacted from public arrest records:

Information pertaining to juvenile arrestees (under 18 years of age)
Medical or psychological information of the arrested individual
Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information
Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation
Records related to domestic violence or sexual assault victims
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy

Law enforcement agencies in Baltimore must evaluate each request for arrest records in accordance with these statutory exemptions. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to provide the non-exempt portions while redacting protected content. Requestors who believe information has been improperly withheld may appeal the decision through administrative channels or seek judicial review in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.

Using Baltimore Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Baltimore may utilize public arrest records as part of background screening processes, subject to significant legal restrictions. The use of criminal history information in employment and housing decisions is regulated by both Maryland state law and Baltimore City ordinances.

Maryland's "Ban the Box" legislation (SB 839), effective as of February 29, 2020, prohibits employers with 15 or more full-time employees from requiring disclosure of criminal history before the first in-person interview. Additionally, Baltimore City Ordinance 19-0337 further restricts private employers from conducting criminal background checks until after a conditional offer of employment has been extended.

Entities utilizing arrest records for background screening purposes must comply with the following requirements:

Provide written notice to the individual that a background check will be conducted
Obtain written consent from the individual prior to accessing their criminal history
Consider the relationship between the offense and the specific position or housing opportunity
Evaluate the recency of the offense and evidence of rehabilitation
Provide the individual an opportunity to explain or contest the accuracy of the record

Violations of these provisions may result in administrative penalties imposed by the Baltimore Community Relations Commission, located at:

Baltimore Community Relations Commission
10 N. Calvert Street, Suite 915
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 396-3141
Baltimore Office of Equity and Civil Rights