Harford County Criminal Records

What Is Harford County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Harford County, Maryland encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Maryland Public Information Act § 4-101, which establishes the framework for record creation, maintenance, and public access.

Criminal records in Harford County include several distinct categories:

• Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or convictions
• Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
• Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
• Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
• Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older (generally public)
• Juvenile Records: Records for offenders under 18 (typically sealed under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3-8A-27)
• Active Warrants: Current outstanding orders for arrest
• Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal justice interactions

Multiple agencies maintain these records in Harford County:

Harford County Sheriff's Office
45 South Main Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: 410-838-6600
Harford County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county detention center.

Circuit Court for Harford County
20 West Courtland Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: 410-638-3426
Circuit Court for Harford County

The Circuit Court maintains felony case records, serious misdemeanors, and civil matters exceeding $30,000.

District Court of Maryland for Harford County
2 South Bond Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: 410-836-4545
Maryland District Courts

The District Court maintains records for lesser misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil matters under $30,000.

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
300 E. Joppa Road, Suite 1000
Towson, MD 21286
Phone: 410-339-5000
Maryland Department of Public Safety

The state agency maintains comprehensive criminal history information through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS).

Criminal records typically document the entire criminal justice process, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing, and probation/parole information.

Are Criminal Records Public In Harford County

Criminal records in Harford County are generally considered public information under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) § 4-101 et seq., which establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public. The Act states that "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."

However, important exceptions and limitations exist regarding public access:

• Adult Conviction Records: Generally public and accessible through court databases and in-person requests
• Court Proceedings: Most hearings and trials are open to public observation
• Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active investigations are typically restricted from public access under MPIA § 4-351
• Sealed Cases: Records that have been sealed by court order are not publicly accessible
• Expunged Records: Cases removed from public record pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure § 10-105
• Juvenile Records: Generally confidential under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3-8A-27, with limited exceptions for certain violent offenses
• Certain Personal Information: Social Security numbers, medical information, and other sensitive personal data are typically redacted from public records

The Harford County Circuit Court adheres to these statutory provisions when processing public record requests. Court records are presumptively open to inspection unless specifically exempted by statute, rule, or court order.

For law enforcement records, the Harford County Sheriff's Office maintains certain public-facing information, such as current inmate rosters and arrest logs, while restricting access to sensitive investigative materials and intelligence information.

It is important to note that while records may be public, accessing them may require formal requests, identification verification, and in some cases, payment of statutory fees for search and reproduction services.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Harford County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Harford County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county provides multiple access points depending on the specific records needed and the purpose of the search.

For in-person requests at the courthouse:

1. Visit the Circuit Court for Harford County located at 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014
2. Proceed to the Clerk's Office, which operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
3. Complete a record request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
4. Present valid government-issued photo identification
5. Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $5 for record search plus $0.50 per page for copies)
6. Wait for staff to retrieve available records, which may be provided immediately or require additional processing time

For mail requests:

1. Prepare a written request including the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), approximate case dates, and your contact information
2. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and check/money order for applicable fees
3. Mail to: Clerk of Circuit Court, 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014
4. Allow 7-10 business days for processing

For criminal records maintained by law enforcement:

1. Contact the Harford County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 410-838-6600
2. Submit a completed Public Information Act request form
3. Provide specific information about the records sought
4. Pay applicable fees for search and reproduction
5. Allow up to 30 days for processing as permitted under Maryland law

For comprehensive criminal history information:

1. Visit the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services' Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)
2. Complete fingerprinting at an authorized fingerprinting service
3. Submit the request form with required identification and fees
4. Receive results by mail within 7-10 business days

Requestors should note that certain records may be subject to redaction or withholding pursuant to exemptions under the Maryland Public Information Act.

How To Find Criminal Records in Harford County Online?

Harford County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests.

The primary online resource is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, which provides public access to case records from both District and Circuit Courts throughout Maryland, including Harford County. This database allows users to search by:

• Defendant/plaintiff name
• Case number
• Filing date
• Court location

The system displays case information including:

• Charges filed
• Hearing dates
• Case status
• Disposition information
• Sentencing details when available

For current inmate information, the Harford County Sheriff's Office Detention Center Inmate Lookup provides a searchable database of individuals currently incarcerated in county facilities. This resource includes:

• Inmate name and booking photo
• Charges
• Bond information
• Scheduled release date (when applicable)

The Maryland Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services allows users to search for registered sex offenders residing in Harford County by:

• Name
• Zip code
• County
• City/town
• Street name

For statewide criminal history information, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services offers an online portal for requesting criminal background checks, though this requires registration and payment of statutory fees.

Users should note several important limitations:

• Some case details may be redacted online per privacy laws
• Juvenile records are generally not available through public portals
• Expunged or sealed cases will not appear in search results
• Records predating digital conversion (typically pre-1990s) may have limited online availability
• Some documents require in-person inspection at the courthouse

Online access is provided pursuant to Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912, which govern public access to court records.

Can You Search Harford County Criminal Records for Free?

Harford County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records without charge, though some services do carry statutory fees. The Maryland Public Information Act establishes the right to inspect many government records without cost, though reproduction fees may apply.

Free record inspection options include:

• In-person courthouse visits: The Circuit Court for Harford County allows free public inspection of non-sealed court records during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Visitors may view records on public access terminals without charge, though printing fees apply ($0.50 per page).

• Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This online database provides free access to case information from District and Circuit Courts throughout Maryland, including Harford County cases. The system is available 24/7 without registration or fees.

• Harford County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup: The Sheriff's Office maintains a free online portal showing current inmates at the Harford County Detention Center, including charges and booking information.

• Maryland Sex Offender Registry: The public registry allows free searches for registered sex offenders residing in Harford County.

• Public law library access: The Harford County Law Library, located in the Circuit Court building, provides free public access to legal research materials and limited assistance with record searches.

Services that require fees include:

• Certified copies of court documents ($5.00 per certification plus copy fees)
• Comprehensive background checks through the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System ($18.00 per request)
• Expedited record searches requiring staff research time
• Extensive document reproduction exceeding standard request volumes

Per Maryland Public Information Act § 4-206, agencies may waive fees if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship and the request is in the public interest. Such waivers are discretionary and must be requested in writing.

What's Included in a Harford County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained in Harford County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below.

Identifying Information:

• Full legal name and known aliases
• Date of birth and age
• Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
• Booking photograph ("mugshot") when available
• Last known address
• State Identification (SID) number
• FBI number (for cases entered into national databases)

Arrest Information:

• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency and officer
• Booking number and facility
• Charges filed at arrest
• Bail or bond information
• Detention facility assignment

Court Case Information:

• Case number and filing date
• Court of jurisdiction (District or Circuit)
• Charging documents with specific statutes violated
• Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
• Scheduled hearing dates
• Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
• Plea information
• Trial proceedings

Disposition and Sentencing:

• Case outcome (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
• Conviction date if applicable
• Sentencing details including:
  • Incarceration terms
  • Probation conditions
  • Fines and court costs
  • Restitution orders
  • Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
• Appeal information if applicable
• Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

• Active warrants
• Protective or peace orders
• Sex offender registration requirements
• DUI/DWI history
• Related traffic violations
• Pending charges in other jurisdictions

The comprehensiveness of records varies based on case age, severity, and the maintaining agency. Records are maintained in accordance with the Maryland Criminal Procedure Article and relevant court rules.

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and victim identifying details in specific case types.

How Long Does Harford County Keep Criminal Records?

Harford County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Maryland State Archives and the Maryland Judiciary. These schedules vary by record type and are governed by state regulations rather than county-specific policies.

The Maryland Court Records Retention Schedule mandates the following retention periods:

• Circuit Court Criminal Case Files:

  • Capital cases: Permanent retention
  • Felonies resulting in incarceration: 75 years after case closure
  • Other felonies: 20 years after case closure
  • Misdemeanors: 10 years after case closure

• District Court Criminal Records:

  • DUI/DWI cases: 10 years after case closure
  • Other traffic matters: 3 years after case closure
  • Criminal misdemeanors: 10 years after case closure
  • Preliminary felony proceedings: 10 years after bindover to Circuit Court

• Law Enforcement Records:

  • Arrest reports: 75 years from date of creation
  • Investigation reports (felonies): 75 years
  • Investigation reports (misdemeanors): 10 years
  • Booking photographs: 75 years

• Detention Center Records:

  • Inmate files: 10 years after release
  • Booking records: 75 years

These retention periods are established pursuant to Maryland State Government Article § 10-633, which authorizes the State Archivist to establish records retention and disposal schedules.

It is important to note that retention does not necessarily equate to public accessibility. Records may be maintained for the prescribed period but access may be restricted by:

• Expungement orders pursuant to Criminal Procedure Article § 10-105
• Sealing orders issued by the court
• Statutory confidentiality provisions
• Conversion to archival format (microfilm/digital) with limited access points

The Maryland Judiciary maintains certain historical records indefinitely, particularly those with significant legal or historical value. These may be transferred to the Maryland State Archives for permanent preservation after their active retention period expires.

Lookup Criminal Records in Harford County

Harford County Sheriff's Office

Harford County Law Enforcement Records

Harford County Court Directory

Circuit Court for Harford County

Harford County Circuit Court Information

Maryland Court Records Access

Maryland Background Check Services

Maryland Criminal History Records Check

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services