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Perryville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Perryville, Maryland?

Arrest records in Perryville, Maryland are considered public information pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under General Provisions Article § 4-101 et seq. This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions. The fundamental purpose of this transparency requirement is to ensure governmental accountability and to provide citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about governmental operations, including arrests made by law enforcement agencies. This presumption of openness serves multiple public interests, including:

Enabling community awareness of criminal activity
Facilitating public oversight of law enforcement practices
Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public safety
Allowing background checks for employment or housing purposes

Residents of Perryville seeking arrest records may obtain this information through designated channels established by local law enforcement agencies and judicial bodies. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in specific circumstances, the general principle of public accessibility remains intact for most arrest documentation.

How to Look Up Perryville Arrest Records in 2025

The process for obtaining arrest records in Perryville has evolved significantly by 2025, with enhanced digital access complementing traditional methods. Members of the public seeking arrest information may utilize several official channels:

In-Person Requests

Individuals may visit the Perryville Police Department to submit formal requests for arrest records:

Perryville Police Department
515 Broad Street
Perryville, MD 21903
Phone: (410) 642-3725
Official Website

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Court Records Access

For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be obtained through the Cecil County Circuit Court:

Circuit Court for Cecil County
129 East Main Street
Elkton, MD 21921
Phone: (410) 996-5370
Cecil County Circuit Court Records

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Digital Access Platforms

By 2025, Perryville has implemented enhanced digital access systems:

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal provides online access to court cases, including those stemming from arrests in Perryville
The Perryville Police Department's online records portal allows for secure electronic requests
Maryland's Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) maintains a centralized database accessible to authorized users

Requestors must provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any additional identifying information. Pursuant to Maryland General Provisions § 4-206, agencies may assess reasonable fees for search and reproduction of records.

Contents of a Perryville Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Perryville law enforcement agencies and the Cecil County judicial system typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-215. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system and generally include:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or previous names
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest

Arrest Details

Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory violations cited at time of arrest
Narrative description of the alleged criminal activity
Weapons or contraband seized during arrest

Processing Information

Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Detention facility information
Bail or bond determination
Case numbers assigned by law enforcement and courts

Case Disposition

Formal charges filed by the State's Attorney
Court appearance dates
Preliminary hearing outcomes
Final disposition (dismissal, conviction, acquittal)

It should be noted that pursuant to Maryland law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to juveniles or victims of certain crimes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Perryville

The expungement process in Perryville follows Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110, which provides mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under qualifying circumstances. Expungement serves to mitigate the collateral consequences of arrest records on employment, housing, and other opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may petition for expungement of Perryville arrest records under the following circumstances:

The arrest did not result in charges (must wait 3 years unless a waiver is obtained)
Charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
The case concluded with probation before judgment (after completion of probation)
The case resulted in a nolle prosequi (prosecutor's decision not to pursue charges)
The conviction was for an offense that has subsequently become eligible for expungement under Maryland law
The Governor granted a full pardon

Petition Process

The formal expungement procedure requires:

Filing a petition with the Circuit Court for Cecil County where the case was adjudicated
Payment of filing fees (currently $30 per case, with fee waivers available for financial hardship)
Service of the petition on the State's Attorney's Office
Attendance at any scheduled hearing if the petition is contested

Cecil County Circuit Court
129 East Main Street
Elkton, MD 21921
Phone: (410) 996-5370
Circuit Court Information

Legal Effect of Expungement

Upon court approval, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies possessing records related to the arrest, including:

Perryville Police Department
Cecil County Detention Center
Maryland State Police
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Maryland Criminal Justice Information System

These agencies must then remove all references to the arrest from public databases, physically destroy paper records, and provide certification of compliance to the court within 60 days as required by Maryland Criminal Procedure § 10-108.