>Somerset County Arrest Records Online

Somerset County, Maryland Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Somerset County, Maryland?

Arrest records are public in Somerset 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 the public's right to access government-maintained records, including arrest documentation. The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about governmental activities, with certain statutory exceptions designed to protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and public safety.

The Somerset County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. These records become part of the public record upon completion of the booking process, though certain information may be redacted in accordance with § 4-301 of the MPIA, which protects personal information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and certain personal identifiers.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are legally accessible, practical limitations such as processing times and administrative procedures may affect the immediacy of access. The Somerset County Sheriff's Office processes requests for arrest records in accordance with MPIA guidelines, which permit up to 30 days for response to record requests.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Somerset County?

Somerset County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by Maryland state agencies. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search serves as the primary online repository for court case information, including records of arrests that have resulted in formal charges. This database is maintained pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-901, which governs public access to judicial records.

The online availability of arrest records is subject to certain limitations established by Maryland law. Specifically:

Records may not appear in online databases until formal charging documents have been filed with the court
Certain case types, particularly those involving juveniles or sealed records, are excluded from online access pursuant to § 3-8A-27 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article
Preliminary arrest information may be available through the Somerset County Detention Center's inmate lookup system, which provides basic booking information for currently incarcerated individuals

The Somerset County Circuit Court maintains electronic records that may be accessed remotely, though complete arrest documentation often requires in-person requests. The District Court of Maryland for Somerset County similarly provides online access to case information that may include arrest details for cases within its jurisdiction.

How to Look Up Somerset County Arrest Records in 2025

Somerset County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through multiple channels established by Maryland law. The following procedures reflect current protocols that will remain in effect through 2025:

Submit a written request to the Somerset County Sheriff's Office located at 7920 Crisfield Highway, Westover, MD 21871. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth if known, and approximate date of arrest. The Sheriff's Office processes requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Visit the Criminal Department of the Circuit Court for Somerset County at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853. The department maintains records of all criminal proceedings, including arrest documentation. Counter service is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should be prepared to provide identification and pay applicable fees as established under § 7-202 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article.
Access the Maryland Judiciary Case Search online portal, which provides 24-hour access to case records, including information about arrests that have resulted in court proceedings. This service is provided at no cost to users.
Contact the Somerset County Detention Center at 30474 Revells Neck Road, Westover, MD 21871 for information about current inmates and recent bookings. The facility maintains records of all individuals processed through the county detention system.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records, as authorized under MPIA § 4-206. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and may include charges for search time exceeding two hours.

Contents of a Somerset County Arrest Record

Somerset County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Maryland law and established by the Maryland Police Training Commission guidelines. These records typically include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and address of residence
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including GPS coordinates when available
Statutory citations for all alleged offenses, with reference to the specific Maryland Code provisions allegedly violated
Identity of the arresting agency and the badge numbers of officers directly involved in the arrest
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots") taken during the processing procedure
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers collected during booking
Custody status information, including bail determinations and conditions of release if applicable
Case numbers assigned by both law enforcement and the court system for tracking purposes

Pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-219, arrest records must also document whether force was used during the arrest and any injuries sustained by either the arrested individual or law enforcement personnel. Additionally, records must indicate whether the arrested individual was advised of their constitutional rights as required by Miranda v. Arizona.

The Criminal Department of the Circuit Court for Somerset County maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats. Records are indexed by name, date of arrest, and case number to facilitate retrieval upon authorized request.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Somerset County

Under Maryland Criminal Procedure Article §§ 10-101 through 10-110, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Somerset County. Expungement is the legal process by which records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Arrests resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi may qualify for immediate expungement under § 10-105(a)(1)-(3)
Arrests for which no charges were filed within the statutory period may be eligible for expungement after a waiting period of three years from the date of arrest
Convictions for certain misdemeanors become eligible for expungement after waiting periods ranging from three to fifteen years, depending on the offense category as specified in § 10-110
First-time non-violent offenders may qualify for expungement under the Justice Reinvestment Act provisions codified in § 10-105.1

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court for Somerset County at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853. Standard petition forms are available from the Clerk's Office or may be downloaded from the Maryland Courts website. A filing fee of $30 applies to each petition, though fee waivers are available for indigent petitioners upon submission of a Request for Waiver of Prepaid Costs.

Upon receipt of a petition, the court forwards copies to the State's Attorney and all law enforcement agencies named in the petition. These agencies have 30 days to file objections. If no objections are filed, or if the court overrules any objections after a hearing, an Order for Expungement will be issued. Agencies then have 60 days to comply with the order by removing records from public access.

Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances as provided in § 10-108, but are shielded from public disclosure. Individuals who have received an expungement may legally respond to questions about the expunged arrest as if it never occurred, except in specific circumstances outlined in § 10-109.