Search Harford Court Records

HarfordCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on HarfordCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

  1. Harford County Court
  2. Harford County Arrest Records

Harford County, Maryland Arrest Records

Hartford County arrest records are official documentation detailing the apprehension of individuals by local law enforcement agencies, such as the Hartford County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments. These agencies generate arrest records after taking an individual into custody. Generally, arrest records ensure that law enforcement actions are properly documented. These records are subject to the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), which allows public access to arrest records, promoting accountability and transparency.

Harford County arrest records are also usually reported to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). In turn, the DPSCS compiles arrest records and other criminal justice records it receives to generate statewide criminal history records (CHR) on individuals. However, CHRs are not subject to the PIA. Instead, these records are governed by the Maryland Security and Privacy Act and Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR), which prohibit their release without proper authorization.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Harford, Maryland?

Hartford County arrest records are considered public information under the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA). The act grants all persons the statutory right to access records containing information about official acts and affairs of government agencies, public officials, and employees. As a result, law enforcement agencies are required to release arrest records upon request. 

However, records made confidential or privileged under relevant state statutes, federal statute or regulation, or by court rule or order are exempt from public access. Most notably, juvenile arrest records are not released to the public without a court order per Maryland Code General Provisions (GP) § 3-8A-27. Additionally, expunged arrest records are also unavailable to the public.

Harford County Arrest Search

Interested persons may find Harford County arrest records by conducting background checks through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). The DPSCS is Maryland’s central repository for criminal justice information. This essentially means that criminal justice agencies across the state, including those in Hartford County, usually report criminal records they generate to the DPSCS. These records include arrest and prosecution information. The DPSCS compiles these records to create statewide criminal history records on individuals. 

Per the Maryland Security and Privacy Act and the Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR), conducting background checks on others requires proper authorization or consent. However, individuals may conduct their own background checks. They would need to get fingerprinted and pay the necessary fees in accordance with the Central Repository Fees Schedule. For instance, a regular state background check costs $18.00 for mail-in requests and $38.00 for in-person requests. Generally, the procedures for conducting background checks differ depending on whether the requester resides within Maryland or out of state. State residents may visit authorized locations that provide fingerprinting services. Fortunately, the Hartford County Sheriff’s Office is one of such locations. Conversely, out-of-state residents must request a fingerprint card by calling or mailing a written request to the DPSCS Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository at: 

P.O. Box 32708, 

Pikesville, Maryland 21282-2708

Phone: 410-764-4501 or 1-888-795-0011 (toll free)

After receiving their fingerprint card, applicants should mail it along with the applicable fee (via a check addressed to the “CJIS Central Repository”) to the CJIS Central Repository (address provided above). Alternatively, they may send it overnight to:

6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 217 

Baltimore, Maryland 21215 - 2346

At the federal level, interested persons may find Hartford County arrest records by reviewing federal case files, where applicable. They can use online systems, such as Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), or visit the clerk's office of federal courthouses to conduct such reviews. They can also use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator portal to find arrest information of federal inmates.

Harford County Inmate Locator

Unfortunately, there are currently no official online resources for individuals to look up information about inmates of the Harford County Detention Center (HCDC). Instead, interested persons may contact the HCDC at 410-638-3140 to make inquiries. They typically need to provide identifiable information about an inmate, such as their full name, to facilitate the search. 

Active Warrant Search in Harford County

An arrest warrant is a court order directing law enforcement officers to apprehend and detain an individual for a crime they allegedly committed or for criminal charges levied against them. A judge or magistrate has the authority to issue an arrest warrant at the request of a prosecutor or law enforcement officer. According to Maryland's Courts and Judicial Proceedings §2–107, an arrest warrant must be 8 ½ by 11 inches in size and contain the following information about the warrant’s subject (if known):

  • Full name 
  • Last address 
  • Race 
  • Sex
  • Height 
  • Weight
  • Hair color 
  • Eye color 
  • Driver’s license number 
  • Social Security Number 
  • Distinguishing feature (such as body marks or scars)

In Hartford County, interested persons may find active warrants through the Hartford County Sheriff’s Office. The agency provides an online database of open warrants in the county. The database is free, updated weekly, and searchable by name. Alternatively, record seekers may query the clerk’s offices of local courts, such as the Hartford County Circuit Court or District Court, to find information for active warrants connected to court cases.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Harford County

In Harford County, individuals may find arrest records for free by visiting local law enforcement agencies, such as the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments. These agencies may allow free in-person inspection of public arrest records they maintain. Record seekers may also request copies of arrest records for a fee. However, they can ask for a fee waiver under Md. Ann. Code art. GP, § 4-206. 

Interested persons may also find Harford County arrest records connected to court cases for free online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website. However, certain records are unavailable on the website. These include, but are not limited to, confidential records, such as juvenile records and sealed or expunged records.

Harford County Arrest Report

An arrest report is a narrative document prepared by the arresting officer. It typically contains the arresting officer's account of the arrest, including the reasons for the arrest, circumstances, and any witness statements. Meanwhile, an arrest record is a summary entry containing key details about an arrest, such as the arrestee's name, arrest date and time, charge, and the arresting officer and agency. Generally, both arrest reports and arrest records are subject to the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA). 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Harford County

In Harford County, individuals may petition to have their arrest records expunged under MD Crim Proc Art §§ 10-101 to 10-112, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements. Those arrested but released without being charged (RWOC) are generally eligible. Meanwhile, individuals who were arrested and charged with a crime punishable by imprisonment may be eligible for expungement if: 

  • They were found not guilty
  • The charge was dismissed
  • The charge resulted in probation before judgment (excluding charges for driving while under the influence or driving while impaired)
  • The charge was not prosecuted (Nolle Prosequi)
  • The case was postponed indefinitely (stet)
  • The case was compromised (settled)
  • They were convicted of only one non-violent crime and received a full and unconditional pardon from the Governor of Maryland. 
  • Juvenile waived. 

Generally, the procedure for expungement varies depending on an applicant's unique situation. If they were arrested and released without being charged (RWOC), they can complete the Form ITCD-70-RWOC and submit it to the arresting agency, such as the Harford County Sheriff’s Office or a municipal police department. 

On the other hand, applicants who were arrested and charged must complete the General Waiver and Release (Form DC/CR 78) and the appropriate expungement petition form:

  • Form CC-DC-CR-072A (cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, probation before judgment, nolle prosequi, stet, or not criminally responsible)
  • Form CC-DC-CR-072B (eligible guilty dispositions)
  • Form CC-DC-CR-072C (cases that resulted in an acquittal, not guilty verdict, dismissal, or nolle prosequi, entered on October 1, 2021, or later)
  • Form CC-DC-CR-072D (eligible marijuana/cannabis related offenses)

There is a $30 filing fee for individuals who use Form CC-DC-CR-072B and Form CC-DC-CR-072D. However, they can request a fee waiver. Applicants must submit their completed General Waiver and Release form, expungement petition, and fees (if applicable) to the Harford County District or Circuit Court, depending on where their case was concluded. The expungement process typically takes up to 90 days unless there is an objection or appeal.

How Do You Remove Harford County Arrest Records From the Internet?

An effective way to remove Harford County arrest records from the internet is to petition for the record’s expungement. Under Maryland law, expunged records must be protected from public inspection. As a result, government entities are required to remove all expunged arrest records from public online databases they maintain. 

Record holders may also submit their expungement order to third-party aggregator websites to request the removal of their record from the website’s private database. Notwithstanding, most third-party aggregator websites offer opt-out processes for removing public records, even without an expungement order. However, an expungement order can bolster the removal request and may serve as grounds for legal action against sites that fail to comply.

What Do Public Harford County Arrest Records Contain?

Public-facing elements of public Harford County arrest records include, but are not limited to:

  • The arrestee’s personal information: full name and date of birth.
  • Physical description: height, weight, race, gender, hair color, and eye color.
  • Arrest and booking information: 
    • Arrest date, time, and location
    • The arresting agency and officer's details.
    • Booking date and time
  • Charges
  • Bail and bond information (if applicable)