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Frederick Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Frederick, Maryland?

Arrest records are public in Frederick, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under §§ 4-101 through 4-601 of the General Provisions Article. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest documentation, with certain statutory exceptions. The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about government operations, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in law enforcement activities.

The Maryland Public Information Act specifically provides that "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." Law enforcement agencies in Frederick County maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records generally fall within the scope of public information accessible under the MPIA.

Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in cases involving:

Active criminal investigations
Juvenile records
Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Information that might jeopardize public safety
Records specifically protected by other laws

Requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Frederick Police Department or the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, depending on the arresting agency's jurisdiction.

How to Look Up Frederick Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Frederick, Maryland in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Frederick County law enforcement agencies maintain systems for public access to arrest data in compliance with the Maryland Public Information Act.

Individuals may access arrest records through the following methods:

In-person requests at the records division of the appropriate law enforcement agency:

Frederick Police Department
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-2100
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Frederick County Sheriff's Office
110 Airport Drive East
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-1046
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Court records access through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system or in person at:

Frederick County Circuit Court
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-1976
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Frederick County District Court
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-2000
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Written requests submitted via mail or email to the records division of the appropriate agency, citing the MPIA and providing specific information about the record being sought
Online access through designated public terminals at the Frederick County Public Libraries or government buildings

Pursuant to § 4-206 of the General Provisions Article, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, preparation, and reproduction of records. Fee schedules are established by each agency and are available upon request.

Contents of a Frederick Arrest Record

Frederick arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Maryland state law and local regulations. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's arrest and typically include the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Identification numbers (state ID, FBI number if applicable)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Agency making the arrest (Frederick Police Department or Frederick County Sheriff's Office)
- Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
Criminal charges:
- Specific charges filed, with reference to applicable Maryland Criminal Code sections
- Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor)
- Case number assigned by the court
Processing information:
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory taken at booking
- Detention facility information
Judicial processing:
- Initial appearance information
- Bail or bond determination
- Court dates
- Preliminary hearing outcomes

The Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-219 requires law enforcement agencies to collect and maintain specific information regarding arrests. These records must be maintained in accordance with the records retention schedule established by the Maryland State Archives.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Frederick are generally public, several legal restrictions limit access to certain information contained within these records. These limitations are established by both state and federal statutes to balance transparency with privacy and security concerns.

The Maryland Public Information Act provides specific exemptions under § 4-301 through § 4-355 that may restrict access to certain arrest record information:

Active investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be withheld if disclosure would prejudice the investigation, interfere with enforcement proceedings, or deprive a person of a fair trial
Privacy protections: Information that constitutes an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Medical information
- Financial account information
- Home addresses of certain public employees
Juvenile records: Pursuant to Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 3-8A-27, records concerning juvenile arrests are confidential and not available for public inspection except by court order
Expunged records: Records that have been legally expunged under Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 et seq. are removed from public access and treated as if they never existed
Sealed records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection

The Frederick County Circuit Court and District Court maintain policies regarding access to court records that may contain arrest information, in accordance with Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Frederick

The expungement process in Frederick County provides a legal mechanism for removing arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110 establishes the framework for expungement eligibility and procedures.

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in the following situations:

The arrest did not result in charges (must wait 3 years unless a waiver is obtained)
The charges were dismissed
The defendant was acquitted (found not guilty)
The case resulted in probation before judgment (except for certain violations)
The case was placed on the stet docket (must wait 3 years)
The case resulted in a nolle prosequi
The conviction was for an offense that has become eligible for expungement under § 10-110

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition for expungement with the court where the case was disposed
Payment of a filing fee (currently $30 per case, with fee waivers available for financial hardship)
Service of the petition on the State's Attorney's Office
Waiting period for potential objections (30 days)
Court hearing if objections are filed
Court order directing expungement if granted

Expungement petitions must be filed with:

Frederick County Circuit Court
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-1976
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Frederick County District Court
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Upon court approval, expungement orders are sent to all agencies possessing records related to the arrest, including the Frederick Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff's Office, detention centers, and the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository.

Requesting Public Records in Frederick

The City of Frederick and Frederick County maintain established procedures for requesting public records, including arrest documentation, in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act. Requests may be submitted through various channels as outlined in the Public Records section of the City of Frederick website.

To request arrest records, members of the public should:

Submit a written request specifying:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Description of records sought (including names, dates, case numbers if known)
- Preferred format for receiving records
- Statement that the request is being made under the Maryland Public Information Act
Direct requests to the appropriate custodian of records:
- For city arrests: Frederick Police Department Records Division
- For county arrests: Frederick County Sheriff's Office Records Section
- For court records: Clerk of the appropriate court
Be prepared to:
- Present identification for certain records
- Pay applicable fees for search, preparation, and copying
- Receive redacted records if exemptions apply

Pursuant to § 4-203 of the General Provisions Article, agencies must respond to requests within 30 days, though many routine requests are fulfilled more quickly. Agencies may extend this period by written notice for an additional 30 days if there is a need to:

Search for and collect requested records
Consult with another agency
Consider whether exemptions apply

Denials of record requests must be in writing, cite the applicable law, and inform the requestor of the right to seek judicial review or request mediation through the Public Access Ombudsman.