Towson Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Towson, Maryland?
Arrest records are public documents in Towson, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under General Provisions Article § 4-101 et seq. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of Maryland residents to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The MPIA operates under the presumption that government records should be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions.
The Baltimore County Police Department, which serves Towson as the county seat, maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. While the records are generally available, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as prescribed by Maryland law. Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that some information might be withheld if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy or compromise law enforcement operations.
The Maryland Judiciary also maintains a publicly accessible case search database that includes information about arrests that have led to court proceedings. This system provides basic information about criminal cases, including defendant information, charges, hearing dates, and case dispositions.
How to Look Up Towson Arrest Records in 2025
The retrieval of arrest records in Towson involves several established procedures administered by various governmental entities. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:
Baltimore County Police Department Records Division: Citizens may submit requests for arrest records directly to the Records Division located at 700 E. Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286. The division operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and can be reached at (410) 887-2214. Requesters must complete the designated Public Information Act request form and may be required to pay applicable fees for document reproduction.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This online portal provides access to court records related to arrests throughout Maryland, including Towson. The database is accessible 24 hours per day at no cost, though users should note that only cases that have entered the court system will appear in this database.
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may contact the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository at 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. The repository processes fingerprint-based background checks for a statutory fee of $38.00 per request.
Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office: For information regarding prosecution of cases following arrest, inquiries may be directed to 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204. The office maintains records of criminal prosecutions within its jurisdiction and can be reached at (410) 887-6600.
Requesters should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case numbers if available. Government agencies typically require 30 days to process requests pursuant to MPIA § 4-203, though responses may be expedited for less complex inquiries.
Contents of a Towson Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Towson typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Maryland law and departmental policies. These documents generally include:
- Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence
- Unique identifiers such as state ID numbers, FBI numbers, and fingerprint classification codes
- Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
- Identity of the arresting officer(s) and agency
- Booking information, including photographs and fingerprints
- Custody status and bail determination
- Case disposition information, if available
- Court docket numbers and scheduled hearing dates
The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of the case and applicable exemptions under the MPIA. Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may contain redactions pursuant to General Provisions Article § 4-351, which permits agencies to withhold information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or deprive individuals of the right to a fair trial.
Juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 3-8A-27, which generally prohibits disclosure of records pertaining to individuals under 18 years of age except under specific circumstances or court order.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Towson
Maryland law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under certain qualifying circumstances. Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110, individuals may petition for expungement if their case resulted in:
- Acquittal
- Dismissal of charges
- Probation before judgment (after completion of probationary terms)
- Nolle prosequi
- Stet
- Pardon from the Governor
- Conviction for certain specified misdemeanors after the applicable waiting period
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the court where the case was disposed. In Towson, these petitions are filed with the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County located at 120 E. Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21286, or with the Circuit Court for Baltimore County at 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204, depending on which court handled the original case.
Petitioners must complete the standardized petition form (CC-DC-CR-072) and pay the statutory filing fee of $30 per case, which may be waived upon demonstration of indigence. The State's Attorney's Office has 30 days to file an objection to the petition, after which the court will rule on the request or schedule a hearing if necessary.
Upon granting of an expungement order, all public agencies possessing records related to the arrest—including the police department, booking facilities, and courts—are directed to remove these records from public access. The practical effect of expungement is that the arrest is deemed never to have occurred for most purposes, though certain government agencies retain limited access to expunged records for specific statutory purposes.
Individuals with questions regarding eligibility for expungement may consult with the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau at 29 W. Susquehanna Avenue, Suite 305, Towson, MD 21204, or call (410) 296-6705 for assistance.
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