Salisbury Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Salisbury, Maryland?
Arrest records in Salisbury, Maryland are considered public information and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under Maryland Code, General Provisions Article § 4-101 et seq. The MPIA establishes the legal framework that permits citizens to inspect and obtain copies of government records, including those pertaining to arrests, unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department maintain these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities within their jurisdictions.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including promoting transparency in the criminal justice system, enabling community awareness of public safety matters, and facilitating background checks for employment and housing. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, compromise an ongoing investigation, or endanger an individual's safety pursuant to MPIA exemptions under § 4-301 through § 4-355.
How to Look Up Salisbury Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Salisbury, Maryland. The following methods are available to individuals seeking this information:
- Salisbury Police Department Records Division: Citizens may submit requests in person at the police headquarters. The Records Division processes public information requests during regular business hours.
Salisbury Police Department
699 W Salisbury Parkway
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 548-3165
Salisbury Police Department
- Wicomico County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within county jurisdiction outside city limits.
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office
401 Naylor Mill Road
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 548-4891
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This online database provides information about criminal cases, including arrest information, for cases processed through the Maryland court system.
Maryland Judiciary
Administrative Office of the Courts
187 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-1488
Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Wicomico County Circuit Court: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Clerk's Office.
Wicomico County Circuit Court
101 North Division Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 543-6551
Wicomico County Circuit Court
Requestors should note that pursuant to Maryland Code, General Provisions Article § 4-206, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, preparation, and reproduction of records. Additionally, certain requests may require submission of identification or completion of standardized request forms in accordance with departmental policies.
Contents of a Salisbury Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Salisbury law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and the individual's processing through the criminal justice system. Standard components of these records include:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and other identifying information
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); agency responsible for the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Maryland Criminal Code references and charge classification (felony or misdemeanor)
Incident Description: Narrative account of the circumstances leading to the arrest, including probable cause determination
Booking Information: Processing details including fingerprinting, photographing (mugshot), and assignment of booking number
Custody Status: Information regarding pretrial detention, release on recognizance, or bail/bond amounts set
Court Information: Initial appearance details, preliminary hearing dates, and case number assignments
Property Inventory: Documentation of personal items taken into custody during the booking process
The Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 2-203 requires law enforcement agencies to document arrests thoroughly, and these records must be maintained in accordance with the state's records retention schedule. The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on applicable privacy protections and ongoing investigation exemptions under the MPIA.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Salisbury
Maryland law provides mechanisms through which individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110 establishes the legal framework governing expungement procedures in Salisbury and throughout the state.
Eligibility criteria for expungement of arrest records include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or not guilty verdicts
- Charges that were dismissed or resulted in nolle prosequi
- Cases placed on the stet docket for three years
- Convictions for certain misdemeanors after specified waiting periods
- Arrests that did not result in charges (must wait 3 years or submit a General Waiver)
- Successful completion of probation before judgment (PBJ) after specified waiting periods
- Convictions for acts no longer criminalized under Maryland law
The expungement process requires submission of a Petition for Expungement (Form CC-DC-CR-072) to the court where the case was adjudicated. A filing fee of $30 applies to each case for which expungement is sought, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners. The State's Attorney's Office has 30 days to file an objection to the petition pursuant to § 10-105.
Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office
309 East Main Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 548-4880
Wicomico County State's Attorney
Individuals should note that expungement from court records does not automatically result in expungement from law enforcement agency records. Separate notifications to agencies may be required, and the process typically takes 90 days from filing to completion if no objections are raised.
Certain serious offenses, including most violent crimes and sexual offenses, are not eligible for expungement under Maryland law. Additionally, expungement of one charge may be prohibited if it is part of a unit of charges where some are not eligible for expungement under § 10-107.
Search Arrest Records in Salisbury
