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Berlin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Berlin, Maryland?

Arrest records are public documents in Berlin, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under General Provisions Article § 4-101 et seq. of the Maryland Code. This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. 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 other sensitive matters.

The Berlin Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation. These records become part of the public domain once the arrest has been processed and the individual has been formally charged. The Maryland State Police, through the Central Records Division, also maintains a comprehensive database of arrest records that occurred within their jurisdiction, including those in Berlin.

How to Look Up Berlin Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Berlin, Maryland may utilize several established methods to access this information. The following procedures have been implemented to facilitate public access while maintaining proper administrative oversight:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Berlin Police Department located at 129 Decatur Street, Berlin, MD 21811. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A standardized request form must be completed, and proper identification must be presented.
Online Access: The Maryland State Police maintains an electronic database accessible through their official website. Users must register for an account and may be subject to nominal processing fees for certain records.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit formal written requests to:

Berlin Police Department
129 Decatur Street
Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: (410) 641-1333
Official Website

Maryland State Police - Barrack V Berlin
9758 Ocean Gateway
Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: (410) 641-3101
Official Website

All requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), approximate date of arrest, and case number (if available). Pursuant to MPIA § 4-206, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, preparation, and reproduction of records.

Contents of a Berlin Arrest Record

Berlin arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Maryland Code, Criminal Procedure Article § 10-215. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Nature of the alleged offense and corresponding Maryland criminal code citations
Booking photographs ("mugshots") and fingerprint records
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Custody status information, including bail determinations
Case disposition information, if available
Court docket numbers and scheduled hearing dates

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with MPIA § 4-301 through § 4-355, particularly in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

The State of Maryland imposes specific limitations on the disclosure of certain arrest records. These restrictions are codified in various sections of Maryland law and include:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 3-8A-27, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are confidential and not available for public inspection except by court order.
Expunged Records: Under Maryland Code, Criminal Procedure Article § 10-108, once a record has been expunged, it may not be disclosed to any person or entity by any official or employee who maintains or has custody of the expunged record.
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
Active Investigations: Information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or deprive a person of a right to a fair trial may be temporarily withheld under MPIA § 4-351.

The Berlin Planning and Zoning Department and Code Enforcement Division may also maintain records related to municipal violations that, while not criminal arrests, may be subject to similar public access provisions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Berlin

Individuals seeking to remove arrest records from public access in Berlin may petition for expungement under Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-101 through § 10-110. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public inspection. The following conditions generally apply to expungement eligibility:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi may qualify for immediate expungement
Probation before judgment dispositions may qualify after successful completion of probation
Certain convictions may qualify after specified waiting periods (3-15 years depending on offense category)
First-time non-violent offenders may qualify under specific statutory provisions

The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the court where the case was disposed. Standard forms are available through the Maryland Judiciary website or at:

Worcester County District Court
301 Commerce Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Phone: (410) 632-5500

A filing fee of $30 applies to each petition, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners. Upon receipt of a petition, the court forwards copies to the State's Attorney and law enforcement agencies for review. These entities have 30 days to file objections. If no objections are filed, or if the court overrules any objections after hearing, an order for expungement will be issued.

Arrest Record Fees and Processing Times

The acquisition of arrest records in Berlin is subject to standardized fee schedules established pursuant to MPIA § 4-206. Current fee structures include:

Standard record search: $15.00 per name
Certified copies: $5.00 per document
Photographic reproductions: $1.00 per page
Electronic delivery (where available): $10.00 per record

Processing times vary according to the complexity of the request and current administrative workload. General guidelines are as follows:

Simple requests with complete identifying information: 5-7 business days
Complex or historical searches: 10-15 business days
Requests requiring redaction review: 15-30 business days

All fees must be paid in advance by check or money order made payable to the appropriate agency. Cash payments are accepted for in-person requests only.