Arrest records are public in Wicomico County, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under General Provisions Article §§ 4-101 through 4-601. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest documentation, unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions. The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a fundamental right to information about government operations, including law enforcement activities.
The Maryland Public Information Act mandates that custodial agencies must provide reasonable access to records during normal business hours. Requestors may inspect records in person or request copies for a reasonable fee that covers actual costs of reproduction. Agencies may not charge for the first two hours of search and preparation time.
Certain exceptions to disclosure exist under § 4-301 through § 4-355, including:
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court for Wicomico County serve as primary custodians of arrest records within the jurisdiction.
Wicomico County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search serves as the primary online resource for accessing court case information, including records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This database is maintained pursuant to Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912, which govern public access to judicial records.
The online availability of arrest records is subject to certain limitations established by Maryland law. Records that have been expunged, sealed by court order, or that fall under statutory exemptions are not accessible through public online portals. Additionally, certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections outlined in General Provisions Article § 4-401.
Online access to arrest records is provided as a public service, though users should be aware that:
The Circuit Court for Wicomico County maintains additional electronic records that may be accessed through terminals located at the courthouse.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Wicomico County may utilize multiple methods to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established for accessing arrest documentation:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests directly to the records division of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office or the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County. Proper identification must be presented, and standard request forms must be completed.
Online Access: The Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides 24-hour access to court records, including information related to arrests. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
Written Requests: Pursuant to General Provisions Article § 4-202, written requests may be submitted to the appropriate records custodian. Requests must include specific information to identify the desired records and the requestor's contact information.
Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS): Law enforcement agencies and authorized entities may access arrest records through the CJIS, maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Judicial Records Requests: The Circuit Court for Wicomico County accepts specific requests for judicial records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with General Provisions Article § 4-206 and may include:
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office
401 Naylor Mill Road
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 548-4891
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office
Circuit Court for Wicomico County
101 North Division Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 543-6551
Circuit Court for Wicomico County
Arrest records maintained by Wicomico County law enforcement agencies and court systems contain standardized information as prescribed by Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-215. These records typically include the following components:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, address, physical description, and other identifying characteristics of the arrested individual.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency responsible for the arrest; and statutory authority under which the arrest was executed.
Offense Information: Criminal charges filed, including citation of applicable Maryland Code sections; brief description of alleged criminal activity; and classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies.
Procedural Documentation: Miranda warning verification, booking procedures completed, property inventory, and initial appearance information before a judicial officer.
Biometric Data: Fingerprints collected in accordance with Public Safety Article § 3-506, which requires fingerprinting for individuals arrested for felonies and specified misdemeanors.
Photographic Evidence: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process, showing front and profile views of the arrested individual.
Detention Status: Information regarding pretrial release determination, bail amount if applicable, or detention order details.
Case Disposition: Ultimate resolution of the case, including dismissal, nolle prosequi, conviction, acquittal, or other judicial determination.
The Central Records Division of the Maryland State Police coordinates with local agencies to maintain comprehensive arrest record information in accordance with state regulations.
Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Wicomico County pursuant to Criminal Procedure Article §§ 10-101 through 10-110. Expungement removes records from public inspection and effectively shields them from disclosure. The following conditions may qualify an individual for expungement:
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the Circuit Court for Wicomico County where the case was adjudicated. Standard petition forms (CC-DC-CR-072A and CC-DC-CR-072B) must be completed with accurate case information. A filing fee of $30 applies to each petition, though fee waivers may be granted based on financial hardship.
Waiting periods for expungement eligibility vary based on case disposition:
The Wicomico County Department of Corrections, located at 411 Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury, MD 21801, coordinates with the courts regarding expungement implementation for records in their custody.
Upon granting of an expungement order, all agencies possessing records related to the arrest must remove them from public access within 60 days and file a Certificate of Compliance with the court.