>Harford County Arrest Records Online

Harford County, Maryland Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Harford County, Maryland?

Arrest records are public in Harford County, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under §§ 4-101 through 4-601 of the General Provisions Article. This legislation establishes that all government records, unless specifically exempted by statute, shall be accessible to the public. The MPIA serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by enabling citizens to access various official records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the county jurisdiction. Members of the public may inspect these records during normal business hours at designated government facilities or through authorized online platforms.

The Maryland Public Information Act operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about government operations. Law enforcement agencies in Harford County, including the Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, maintain arrest records as part of their official documentation. These records become part of the public domain once processed, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with § 4-301 of the General Provisions Article.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Harford County?

Arrest records for Harford County are available through several authorized online platforms. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search serves as the primary digital repository for court case information, including records related to arrests processed through the county's judicial system. This database is maintained by the Maryland Judiciary and provides real-time access to case status information for matters filed in the District and Circuit Courts.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office maintains an online portal where recent arrest information and booking photos may be accessed. Additionally, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services provides a statewide database that includes arrest information for individuals processed through the state's criminal justice system. These digital resources operate in compliance with Maryland's public records laws while implementing necessary safeguards to protect sensitive information as required by statute.

Online access to these records is available 24 hours per day, providing a significant convenience compared to in-person requests that must be processed during standard government business hours. Users should note that some online systems may require registration or impose nominal fees for certain detailed reports.

How to Look Up Harford County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Harford County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:

Maryland Judiciary Case Search: The Maryland Judiciary's online database provides access to court records, including those related to arrests. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate relevant records.
Harford County Sheriff's Office: 45 South Main Street Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 410-838-6600 Official Website The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted by their deputies and provides public access to these records in accordance with state law.
Circuit Court for Harford County: 20 West Courtland Street Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 410-638-3426 Official Website The Clerk's Office maintains court records, including those related to criminal proceedings following arrests. Public terminals are available for searching these records during business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Maryland State Archives: 350 Rowe Boulevard Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-260-6400 Official Website The Archives maintains historical records from Harford County, including older arrest and court records that may not be available through other sources.

Requestors seeking arrest records must complete the appropriate request forms as specified by each agency. Pursuant to § 4-206 of the General Provisions Article, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search and duplication services. Identification may be required when requesting records in person to verify the requestor's identity.

Contents of a Harford County Arrest Record

Harford County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies operating within the county jurisdiction. These records are standardized in accordance with Maryland state regulations and generally include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, current address, and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Maryland Criminal Code references and charge classification (felony/misdemeanor)
Case Processing Information: Booking number, fingerprint identification number, court case number, and initial appearance details
Custody Status: Information regarding bail/bond amounts, pretrial release conditions, or detention status
Photographic Documentation: Booking photograph ("mugshot") taken at the time of processing
Court Proceedings: Scheduled court dates, hearing outcomes, and disposition information as the case progresses

It should be noted that pursuant to § 4-301 of the General Provisions Article, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations. Juvenile arrest records are generally not publicly accessible unless the case has been waived to adult court in accordance with § 3-8A-27 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Harford County

The expungement process in Harford County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by Maryland law. Pursuant to § 10-105 of the Criminal Procedure Article, individuals may petition for expungement if their case resulted in:

Acquittal
Dismissal of charges
Probation before judgment (after successful completion of probation)
Nolle prosequi (prosecutor's decision not to pursue charges)
Stet (indefinite postponement of case)
Pardon from the Governor
Conviction for certain specified minor offenses after the applicable waiting period

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court where the case was adjudicated. For Harford County cases, petitions must be filed with:

Circuit Court for Harford County 20 West Courtland Street Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 410-638-3426 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Petitioners must complete form CC-DC-CR-072A (Petition for Expungement of Records) and pay the applicable filing fee, which is $30 per case as of 2025. Fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals based on financial need. The State's Attorney's Office has 30 days to file an objection to the petition. If no objection is filed, or if the court rules in favor of the petitioner after a hearing, an Order for Expungement will be issued.

Upon issuance of an expungement order, all agencies maintaining records related to the arrest (including the Sheriff's Office, courts, and state repositories) must remove these records from public access and either destroy them or return them to the petitioner as directed by the court order. This process typically takes 60-90 days to complete once the order is issued.

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Bel Air