St. Mary's County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in St. Mary's County
Arrest records in St. Mary's County are generally considered public information under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified in § 4-101 through § 4-601 of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records in accordance with state regulations. Pursuant to § 4-201 of the MPIA, members of the public have the right to inspect and copy public records during normal business hours, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. However, it is important to note the distinction between arrest records and conviction records:
- Arrest Records: Document the fact that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity. An arrest alone does not constitute proof of guilt.
- Conviction Records: Document that an individual has been found guilty of a crime through legal proceedings.
Under Maryland law, certain arrest information may be shielded from public disclosure if:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction
- The charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
- The case received a disposition of probation before judgment and the probation period has been completed
- The record has been expunged pursuant to § 10-101 through § 10-110 of the Criminal Procedure Article
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services oversees the state's criminal history record information system and establishes policies governing access to such records in coordination with local jurisdictions like St. Mary's County.
What's in St. Mary's County Arrest Records
St. Mary's County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, or other distinguishing features)
- Home address at time of arrest
- Gender and race
- State identification number and/or FBI number (if previously arrested)
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (e.g., St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police)
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Circumstances leading to arrest
- Whether arrest was made pursuant to warrant or probable cause
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed (including statute numbers)
- Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
- Charge descriptions
- Charge severity levels
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date of issuance
- Judge who signed the warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking number
- Fingerprints
- Mugshot photograph
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set
- Bond type (cash, property, surety)
- Whether released on own recognizance
- Conditions of release, if applicable
Court Information:
- Court case number
- Assigned court
- Scheduled court dates
- Court of jurisdiction
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of incarceration, if applicable
- Expected release date, if known
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior criminal history
- Probation/parole status at time of arrest
- Vehicle information (if relevant to arrest)
- Victim information (often redacted in public versions)
- Witness information (often redacted in public versions)
The specific content of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the arrest and the policies of the arresting agency within St. Mary's County.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in St. Mary's County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in St. Mary's County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing arrest records:
In-Person Requests:
Individuals may submit requests in person at the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office:
St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office
23150 Leonard Hall Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-4200
St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office
When making an in-person request, requestors should:
- Complete the Public Information Act Request Form
- Provide proper identification (government-issued photo ID)
- Specify the exact records being requested with as much detail as possible
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for search, retrieval, and copying
Written Requests:
Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records Division at the address listed above. Written requests should include:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Specific information about the arrest record being sought (name of arrestee, date of arrest, case number if known)
- Purpose of the request
- Requestor's signature and date
Electronic Requests:
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office accepts electronic requests through their official website. To submit an electronic request:
- Visit the Sheriff's Office Records Request portal
- Complete the online form with all required information
- Submit any supporting documentation as needed
Pursuant to § 4-206 of the Maryland Public Information Act, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, preparation, and reproduction of records. Current fees include:
- $25 for a standard criminal history check
- $0.25 per page for photocopies
- Additional fees may apply for certified copies or extensive searches
Requests are typically processed within 30 days as required by state law, though simple requests may be fulfilled more quickly.
How To Find St. Mary's County Arrest Records Online
St. Mary's County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests while maintaining compliance with Maryland's public information laws.
The primary online resources for arrest record searches include:
Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This statewide database provides public access to court records, including information about criminal cases resulting from arrests in St. Mary's County.
- Visit the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Accept the terms and conditions
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
- Review results for St. Mary's County cases
St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Arrest Reports: The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of recent arrest information:
- Navigate to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office website
- Select "Arrest Reports" from the menu
- Search by date range or name
- Review available arrest information
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services: For comprehensive criminal history information:
- Access the DPSCS Criminal Justice Information System
- Register for an account if conducting multiple searches
- Submit required identifying information
- Pay applicable fees ($18-$38 depending on search type)
- Receive results electronically
When using online systems, users should note:
- Not all arrest record information may be available online due to privacy restrictions
- Records that have been expunged or shielded will not appear in public databases
- Some detailed arrest information may require formal requests through official channels
- Online records may not include complete arrest details available in official reports
For the most comprehensive and current arrest record information, combining online searches with formal requests to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Records Division is recommended.
How To Search St. Mary's County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options for accessing St. Mary's County arrest records without incurring fees. These no-cost methods are provided in accordance with Maryland's commitment to government transparency while balancing privacy considerations.
Free Public Access Terminals: The St. Mary's County Circuit Court provides public access terminals that allow free searches of court records related to arrests:
St. Mary's County Circuit Court
41605 Courthouse Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-7844
St. Mary's County Circuit Court
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
Sheriff's Office Daily Arrest Reports: The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office publishes daily arrest logs on their website at no cost:
- Visit the Sheriff's Office News Releases
- Review recent arrest information
- Information typically includes arrestee name, age, charges, and basic arrest circumstances
Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This free online database provides information about court cases, including criminal matters:
- Access the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- No account or payment is required
- Search by name or case number
- Review case information, including charges and court dates
Local News Sources: Several local news outlets regularly publish arrest information from St. Mary's County:
- The BayNet - Local news source covering St. Mary's County arrests
- Southern Maryland News - Regional coverage of significant arrests
When utilizing free resources, users should be aware of certain limitations:
- Free resources may not provide complete arrest record details
- Information may be limited to recent arrests only
- Some case details may be redacted or unavailable
- Records that have been expunged or shielded will not appear
For more comprehensive searches or older records, users may need to submit formal requests that could involve fees as authorized under § 4-206 of the Maryland Public Information Act.
How To Delete Arrest Records in St. Mary's County
The process of removing arrest records from public access in St. Mary's County follows Maryland state law, which provides specific mechanisms for either expungement (complete removal) or shielding (restricting public access) of records under certain circumstances.
Expungement vs. Shielding:
-
Expungement: The physical destruction or removal of records from public inspection. When a record is expunged, it is removed from all public databases and cannot be accessed without a court order.
-
Shielding: The process of preventing public viewing of records while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes. Shielded records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies but are not visible to the general public.
Eligibility for Expungement:
Pursuant to § 10-105 of the Criminal Procedure Article, arrest records may be eligible for expungement under the following circumstances:
- The arrest did not result in charges (must wait 3 years unless a waiver is obtained)
- The charges were dismissed
- The defendant was acquitted (found not guilty)
- The case resulted in probation before judgment (after completion of probation)
- The case was placed on the stet docket (must wait 3 years)
- The case resulted in a nolle prosequi
- The conviction was for certain specified minor offenses
- The Governor granted a full pardon
Expungement Process:
- Obtain and complete the appropriate petition form from the Maryland Courts website
- File the petition with the clerk of the court where the case was disposed
- Pay the filing fee (currently $30 per case, with fee waivers available for financial hardship)
- Serve a copy of the petition on the State's Attorney's Office
- Attend any scheduled hearing if the State's Attorney objects to the petition
- If granted, the court will issue an Order for Expungement
St. Mary's County Circuit Court
41605 Courthouse Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-7844
St. Mary's County Circuit Court
St. Mary's County District Court
23110 Leonard Hall Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-880-2700
Maryland District Court
Shielding Process:
Under the Maryland Second Chance Act, certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions may be eligible for shielding after a waiting period (typically 3 years after completion of the sentence).
- Complete the shielding petition form (CC-DC-CR-148)
- File with the appropriate court
- Pay applicable filing fees
- Attend any scheduled hearing
- If granted, the court will issue an Order for Shielding
Individuals seeking expungement or shielding are advised to consult with a legal professional, as the process can be complex and eligibility requirements are strictly enforced.
What Happens After Arrest in St. Mary's County?
Following an arrest in St. Mary's County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Maryland state law. This process typically progresses through several distinct phases:
Initial Custody and Booking:
Upon arrest, individuals are transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for processing:
St. Mary's County Detention Center
41880 Baldridge Street
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-4200 ext. 1900
St. Mary's County Detention Center
The booking process includes:
- Photographing (mugshot)
- Fingerprinting
- Personal information collection
- Medical screening
- Property inventory
- Criminal history check
Initial Appearance Before a Commissioner:
Within 24 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a District Court Commissioner who:
- Informs the defendant of charges
- Advises of constitutional rights
- Makes initial bail determination
- Sets conditions of pretrial release, if applicable
- Schedules preliminary hearing date (for felonies)
Bail Review Hearing:
If the defendant remains in custody after the Commissioner's initial appearance:
- A bail review hearing is held before a District Court judge
- Usually occurs within 24 hours of the Commissioner's hearing
- Judge may maintain, increase, decrease, or modify bail conditions
Preliminary Hearing (Felonies Only):
For felony charges that did not originate from a grand jury indictment:
- Held within 10 days if defendant is in custody, 30 days if released
- Prosecutor must demonstrate probable cause
- If probable cause is found, case proceeds to Circuit Court
- If not, charges may be dismissed or reduced
Arraignment:
At this formal court proceeding:
- Charges are read to the defendant
- Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere)
- Trial date is set if not guilty plea is entered
Pretrial Proceedings:
Before trial, several legal proceedings may occur:
- Discovery (exchange of evidence)
- Pretrial motions (suppress evidence, dismiss charges, etc.)
- Plea negotiations
- Status conferences
Trial:
Defendants have the right to:
- Jury trial for jailable offenses (12 jurors in Circuit Court)
- Bench trial (judge only)
- Present evidence and witnesses
- Cross-examine prosecution witnesses
- Testify or remain silent
Sentencing:
If convicted:
- May occur immediately or at a later date
- Judge considers Maryland sentencing guidelines
- Victim impact statements may be presented
- Defendant has right to allocution (address the court)
- Sentences may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, or community service
Post-Conviction:
Following conviction, defendants may pursue:
- Appeal to higher courts
- Motion for modification of sentence
- Petition for post-conviction relief
- Application for pardon or commutation
Throughout this process, defendants have constitutional rights including the right to counsel. Those unable to afford an attorney may qualify for representation by the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in St. Mary's County?
Arrest records in St. Mary's County are maintained according to Maryland's records retention requirements, which establish specific timeframes for preserving various categories of law enforcement documentation. These retention periods are governed by the Maryland State Archives Records Management Division in accordance with COMAR 14.18.02.
Standard Retention Periods:
- Arrest Reports: Maintained permanently by the arresting agency
- Booking Records: Retained for a minimum of 75 years
- Fingerprint Cards: Preserved permanently in both physical and digital formats
- Mugshot Photographs: Kept for the duration of the individual's lifetime
- Investigation Reports: Maintained permanently for felonies; 25 years for misdemeanors
- Criminal History Records: Preserved permanently unless expunged by court order
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office adheres to these retention schedules while maintaining records in various formats:
- Physical paper records
- Digital database entries
- Microfilm archives (for older records)
- Electronic document management systems
Agency-Specific Retention:
Different agencies within the criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention periods:
- St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office: Maintains arrest records permanently
- St. Mary's County Detention Center: Retains booking and custody records for 75 years
- Maryland State Police: Preserves arrest records permanently in the Central Records Division
- Maryland Criminal Justice Information System: Maintains computerized criminal history indefinitely
Factors Affecting Retention:
Several factors may modify standard retention periods:
- Court-ordered expungement (records destroyed or removed from public access)
- Shielding under the Second Chance Act (records maintained but restricted from public view)
- Special circumstances such as ongoing investigations or appeals
- Historical significance of certain cases
The comprehensive retention of arrest records serves several important public interests:
- Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Maintains accountability within the criminal justice system
- Provides statistical data for crime analysis and policy development
- Ensures availability of information for authorized background checks
Individuals seeking information about specific arrest records should contact the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Records Division for the most accurate information regarding record availability and retention status.
How to Find Mugshots in St. Mary's County
Mugshot photographs in St. Mary's County are official law enforcement records subject to specific access protocols under Maryland law. Understanding the nature, location, and access methods for these records is essential for those seeking this information.
What Mugshots Are:
Mugshots are official photographic records taken during the booking process following an arrest. These photographs typically include:
- Front-facing (frontal) view of the arrestee
- Profile (side) view of the arrestee
- Identifying information board showing name and booking number
- Date of photograph
Where Mugshots Are Maintained:
In St. Mary's County, mugshot photographs are primarily maintained by:
St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Records Division
23150 Leonard Hall Drive
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-4200 ext. 1910
St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
Finding Mugshots:
To obtain official mugshot photographs, individuals may:
-
Submit a Public Information Act request to the Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Complete the MPIA Request Form
- Provide specific identifying information about the subject
- Include date of arrest if known
- Pay applicable fees ($25 for search plus reproduction costs)
-
Contact the St. Mary's County Detention Center
- Submit written request with specific details
- Provide justification for request
- Allow 30 days for processing
Can Mugshots Be Found Online:
Limited mugshot information may be available through:
- The Sheriff's Office recent arrest reports (typically text only, without photographs)
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search (court records without photographs)
- Third-party websites that aggregate mugshot information (not officially sanctioned)
It is important to note that Maryland has enacted restrictions on commercial mugshot websites through the Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 10-301 through § 10-306, which prohibits charging fees for removing mugshots from commercial websites.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access:
Access to mugshots may be limited under certain circumstances:
- Records that have been expunged are not available
- Juvenile arrest photographs are confidential
- Records subject to active investigation may be temporarily withheld
- Photographs may be redacted to protect victim information
- Shielded records under the Second Chance Act are not publicly accessible
Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that these photographs are created for law enforcement purposes, and their release is governed by public information laws that balance transparency with privacy considerations.