Criminal records in Baltimore County, Maryland, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. BaltimoreCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, the Circuit Court for Baltimore County Clerk's Office, and state-level repositories through the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services also provide access to criminal record data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Baltimore
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Baltimore County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need an official copy or just want to review case details.
Online Search Options
- BaltimoreCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by entering a person's name or case details.
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search — The state's official public portal for District Court and Circuit Court case records. Search by party name, case number, or company name. Results include charges, case status, hearing dates, and dispositions for cases filed in Baltimore County courts.
- Incarcerated Individual Locator — Operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), this tool lets you search for individuals currently in state custody.
- Baltimore County Active Child Support Warrant Search — A county-maintained tool to check for active child support warrants issued by the Baltimore County Sheriff's Office.
In Person
Visit the Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Towson. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for searching case records. You can also request assistance from clerk staff for locating specific filings.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at PO Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- State criminal history records: Submit a request through the DPSCS Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). State background checks require fingerprinting and a completed application.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required online)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Baltimore Criminal Cases by Case Number
Maryland uses a standardized case number format across all courts. If you have a case number, you can look it up directly in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for faster, more precise results.
The typical Maryland case number format looks like this:
- Court code — A numeric prefix identifying the court. For Baltimore County Circuit Court, the code is 03. For Baltimore County District Court, it is 0301.
- Case type code — A letter or letter pair indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include K (Circuit Court criminal felony), C (Circuit Court criminal), and CR (District Court criminal).
- Sequence number — A unique number assigned in the order the case was filed.
- Year — The two-digit filing year.
For example, a case number like 03-K-24-000123 would indicate a felony criminal case filed in the Baltimore County Circuit Court in 2024. Entering the full case number into the search portal returns the exact case record, including all associated charges, hearings, and dispositions.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Baltimore
Criminal case records in Baltimore County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Maryland criminal code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., CR § 3-203 for assault in the second degree) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or civil infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be modified by the State's Attorney through plea agreements or during trial proceedings |
| Multiple counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately with its own disposition |
Case Status
- Active / Open — The case is ongoing with pending proceedings.
- Sub Curia — The matter is under consideration by the court; a decision has not yet been issued.
- Disposed / Closed — All charges have been resolved through verdict, plea, or dismissal.
- Inactive — The case has stalled, often because a warrant is outstanding or the defendant has not appeared.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Initial appearance where the defendant is formally advised of charges.
- Preliminary hearing — A District Court hearing to determine probable cause (felony cases).
- Pre-trial / motions hearing — Hearings on evidence, procedural issues, or plea negotiations.
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial where evidence is presented.
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty finding.
- Review hearing — Post-sentencing hearings to assess compliance with probation or other conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted of the charge.
- Not guilty — Acquitted after trial.
- Nolle prosequi — The State's Attorney has declined to prosecute the charge.
- Stet — The case is placed on an inactive docket; it can be reopened within one year (or three years for certain offenses).
- Probation before judgment (PBJ) — The court stays the guilty finding and places the defendant on probation. A PBJ is not a conviction under Maryland law but may still appear in case search results.
- Dismissed — The charge has been dropped by the court.
- Merged — The charge is merged with another count for sentencing purposes.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Baltimore
Certified copies of criminal case records are handled by two primary offices, depending on what you need.
Court Case Records
Request certified copies of criminal case documents from the Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. You can submit requests in person or by mail.
Include the following with your request:
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number
- Description of the document(s) needed
- A valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for applicable fees
State Criminal History (Background Checks)
For a comprehensive criminal history report, submit a request through the DPSCS background check process. This requires:
- A completed application form
- Fingerprinting at an authorized location
- Payment of the required fee
State criminal history checks include records from all Maryland jurisdictions, not just Baltimore County.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Baltimore
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Standard rate set by Maryland Rule 16-504 |
| Certification fee | $5.00 per document | Added to the per-page copy cost |
| State criminal history (CJIS background check) | $18.00 | Submitted through DPSCS; fingerprinting may involve an additional fee charged by the vendor |
| Maryland Judiciary Case Search | Free | Online access to public case information at no charge |
Processing Times
- Online case search: Immediate results.
- In-person certified copies: Often available the same day, depending on volume and document availability.
- Mail requests to the Clerk's Office: Typically 5–10 business days after receipt of the request and payment.
- DPSCS state background check: Processing times vary; allow several weeks from the date fingerprints are submitted.
Fees are established under Maryland Rule 16-504 and DPSCS fee schedules. Contact the Clerk's Office at 410-887-2601 to confirm current fees before submitting payment.