>Caroline County Arrest Records Online

Caroline County, Maryland Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Caroline County, Maryland?

Yes, arrest records are public in Caroline County, Maryland. These records are accessible under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified in General Provisions Article § 4-101 et seq. of the Maryland Code. The MPIA establishes that citizens have the legal right to inspect government records without unnecessary costs or delays, unless specifically exempted by law. Arrest records are classified as public documents, with certain exceptions for:

Records pertaining to active investigations
Records containing sensitive personal information protected by privacy laws
Juvenile records, which are generally sealed under Maryland law
Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order

The custodian of these records must provide access to any person who requests to inspect public records during normal business hours. Pursuant to General Provisions Article § 4-203, the custodian may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, but inspection of records at the agency's office is typically free of charge.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Caroline County?

Yes, arrest records can be found online in Caroline County through several official digital platforms. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides public access to court case records, including those related to arrests in Caroline County. This searchable database is maintained pursuant to Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records, Rule 16-901 through 16-912.

Online access to these records is subject to the following conditions:

Some sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws
Records that have been expunged or sealed will not appear in online searches
The information available online may not be as comprehensive as records available directly from the courthouse
There may be a delay between an arrest and when the information appears in online systems

The Maryland State Police Central Records Division also maintains electronic records of arrests throughout the state, including Caroline County, as mandated under Public Safety Article § 2 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

How to Look Up Caroline County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Caroline County arrest records in 2025, individuals may utilize several official channels. Each method provides different levels of detail and accessibility:

Visit the Caroline County Sheriff's Office in person: Caroline County Sheriff's Office 101 Gay Street Denton, MD 21629 Phone: (410) 479-2515 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Contact the Circuit Court for Caroline County: Circuit Court for Caroline County 109 Market Street Denton, MD 21629 Phone: (410) 479-1811 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Visit the District Court of Maryland for Caroline County: District Court of Maryland for Caroline County 207 South Third Street Denton, MD 21629 Phone: (410) 819-4600 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Access the Maryland Judiciary Case Search online portal, which provides 24/7 access to court records including arrest information.
Submit a request to the Maryland State Police Central Records Division: Maryland State Police Central Records Division 1711 Belmont Avenue Baltimore, MD 21244 Phone: (410) 281-2700 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Pursuant to General Provisions Article § 4-202, requests for records may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically where available. The custodian must respond to requests within 30 days, though many agencies provide records more quickly.

Contents of a Caroline County Arrest Record

A Caroline County arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. In accordance with Maryland law, these records generally include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to relevant Maryland statutes
Case number and court docket information
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency information
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint information
Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions
Court appearance dates
Disposition of the case, if available

It should be noted that pursuant to Maryland Rules 16-905, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain medical information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Caroline County

In Caroline County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110 of the Maryland Code. Expungement removes records from public inspection, effectively clearing them from an individual's public record.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Caroline County include:

Cases resulting in acquittal (finding of not guilty)
Cases dismissed by the prosecutor or court
Cases where probation before judgment was granted (after completion of probation)
Cases resulting in nolle prosequi (decision not to prosecute)
Cases where the court indefinitely postponed trial (stet)
Cases where a pardon was granted by the Governor
Certain non-violent convictions after a waiting period (typically 10 years)
First-time non-violent offenses under the Justice Reinvestment Act

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the case:

Circuit Court for Caroline County 109 Market Street Denton, MD 21629 Phone: (410) 479-1811 Circuit Court website

District Court of Maryland for Caroline County 207 South Third Street Denton, MD 21629 Phone: (410) 819-4600 District Court website

Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Article § 10-105, the petition must be filed using the official form provided by the Maryland Judiciary. A filing fee applies, though fee waivers may be available for eligible individuals. After filing, the State's Attorney's Office has 30 days to file an objection. If no objection is filed, or if the court overrules an objection, the court will order expungement of all police and court records.

Individuals seeking expungement may benefit from legal assistance through:

Office of the Public Defender - Caroline County 210 South Third Street Denton, MD 21629 Phone: (410) 479-1343 Maryland Public Defender Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.