Arrest records in Montgomery County, Maryland are public documents accessible to citizens pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under §§ 4-101 through 4-601 of the General Provisions Article. This legislation establishes that government-held records, including arrest documentation, shall be available for public inspection to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations. The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about governmental activities, including law enforcement actions resulting in arrests.
The Montgomery County Police Department maintains these records and processes requests in accordance with state regulations. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain exceptions exist under § 4-301 through § 4-355 of the MPIA, which may restrict access to records that could compromise ongoing investigations, violate personal privacy in specific circumstances, or endanger public safety.
Montgomery County provides digital access to arrest records through several official platforms. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search serves as the primary online database where members of the public may search for arrest and court case information. This resource is maintained by the Maryland Judiciary and updated regularly to reflect current case statuses.
Additionally, the Montgomery County Daily Arrests portal provides information about recent arrests processed through the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit (CPU). This database is part of the county's open data initiative and contains basic arrest information including names, charges, and arrest locations.
For more comprehensive records, individuals may submit requests through the Montgomery County Police Department's online records portal, which processes MPIA requests electronically. The system allows requestors to specify the exact records needed and receive digital copies when available.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Montgomery County. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
Montgomery County Police Department Records Division
100 Edison Park Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
240-773-5330
Official Website
Access the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for court case information related to arrests.
Visit the Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk's Office to request certified copies of court records at:
Montgomery County Circuit Court
50 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
240-777-9400
Official Website
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
50 Maryland Avenue, Room 110
Rockville, MD 20850
240-777-7000
Official Website
Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation
22880 Whelan Lane
Boyds, MD 20841
240-777-9730
Official Website
Pursuant to § 10-221 of the Criminal Procedure Article, requestors must provide proper identification when seeking arrest records. Fees may apply in accordance with MPIA § 4-206, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search and reproduction of records.
Montgomery County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Maryland Code, Criminal Procedure Article § 10-215. These official documents typically include:
These records are maintained in the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Information System and shared with state and federal databases in accordance with Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-214. The level of detail available to the public may vary based on case status and applicable privacy restrictions.
The expungement process in Montgomery County operates under Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110, which provides mechanisms for removing arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Individuals may petition for expungement if their case resulted in:
The petition process requires filing with the Circuit Court for Montgomery County or the District Court, depending on which court handled the original case. Standard waiting periods apply:
Petitioners must use the official form CC-DC-CR-072A, available through the Maryland Courts website, and pay the required filing fee of $30 per case, unless waived by the court due to indigence. The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office has 30 days to file an objection to the petition, after which the court will rule on the expungement request.
Upon approval, the court issues an Order for Expungement directing all agencies to remove the records from public access. Agencies must comply within 60 days and file a Certificate of Compliance with the court. Expunged records are not destroyed but are sealed from public view and may only be accessed by court order.