Fruitland Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fruitland, Maryland?
Arrest records are public documents in Fruitland, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under General Provisions Article § 4-101 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal jurisdictions. The MPIA operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about governmental activities, including law enforcement operations conducted by the Fruitland Police Department and other agencies serving Wicomico County.
The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Facilitating public oversight of governmental functions
- Providing necessary information for background checks and security clearances
- Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice
Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as determined by Maryland courts or statutory provisions.
How to Look Up Fruitland Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Fruitland have several official channels through which such information may be obtained. The following procedures have been established for accessing these public documents:
In-Person Requests
Individuals may submit requests in person at the Fruitland Police Department:
Fruitland Police Department
203 South Brown Street
Fruitland, Maryland 21826
Phone: 410-548-2803
City of Fruitland Police Department
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Requestors should be prepared to complete a Public Information Act request form and provide identification. Fees for document reproduction may apply pursuant to MPIA § 4-206.
County-Level Resources
The Wicomico County Circuit Court maintains records related to arrests that have resulted in formal charges:
Wicomico County Circuit Court
101 North Division Street
Salisbury, Maryland 21801
Phone: 410-543-6551
Wicomico County Circuit Court
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
State-Level Resources
For comprehensive criminal history information, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services provides centralized record-keeping:
Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, Maryland 21282-2708
Phone: 410-764-4501
Fingerprint-based background checks are available by appointment.
Online Access Options
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system provides limited information about court cases, including those originating from arrests in Fruitland. This resource is accessible 24 hours per day at terminals located in public libraries throughout Wicomico County and via the internet.
Contents of a Fruitland Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by Fruitland law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Maryland Code, Criminal Procedure Article § 10-201 et seq. These records typically include:
Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Last known address
- State identification number (SID)
Arrest-specific information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Incident report number
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification data
Case disposition information:
- Court case number
- Preliminary hearing date
- Bail or bond information
- Current custody status
The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of any related investigation, court orders restricting disclosure, or statutory exemptions that may apply to specific information elements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fruitland
Under Maryland law, certain arrest records maintained by Fruitland authorities may be eligible for expungement under procedures established in Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110. Expungement constitutes the removal of records from public inspection, though limited access may be retained by law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Eligibility Criteria
Expungement eligibility is determined by several factors:
- Case disposition (acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, etc.)
- Nature of the offense
- Time elapsed since disposition
- Subsequent criminal history
- Completion of any required waiting periods
Arrests resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi may qualify for immediate expungement under § 10-105, while convictions for certain misdemeanors may qualify after statutory waiting periods ranging from 3 to 15 years.
Application Process
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the court with jurisdiction over the case:
Wicomico County District Court
201 Baptist Street
Salisbury, Maryland 21801
Phone: 410-334-3325
Filing fees apply ($30 per case) unless waived by the court upon demonstration of indigence. Petitioners must use standardized forms prescribed by the Maryland Judiciary.
Legal Effects
Upon granting of expungement:
- Public agencies must remove all references to the arrest from publicly accessible records
- The individual may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest in most contexts
- Certain exceptions exist for specialized employment in law enforcement, education, and healthcare
Expunged records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for limited purposes as authorized by statute.
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