Criminal records in Frederick County, Maryland, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. FrederickCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Frederick County. The Maryland Judiciary's Case Search portal, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and the Frederick County Sheriff's Office also provide access to criminal records and related data.
How to Search Criminal Records in Frederick
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Frederick County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose.
Online Through FrederickCourt.us
Start at FrederickCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information tied to Frederick County criminal cases. You can search using a person's name or case number.
Online Through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides free public access to case records from both the Circuit Court and District Court in Frederick County. To search, you can use:
- Defendant's full name (last name required; first name recommended)
- Date of birth (helps narrow results)
- Case number (if known)
Results typically show charges, case status, scheduled hearings, and disposition information.
In Person
Visit the Frederick County Circuit Court Clerk's Office to use public access terminals or request assistance from staff. The Frederick County courts directory lists hours and locations for both Circuit and District courts:
District Court records can also be reviewed in person at the District Court location in Frederick.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Submit a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, and case number if available. Enclose applicable fees.
- State criminal history records: The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) handles state criminal background checks. These require fingerprint submission through an authorized fingerprint services location. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD, is a designated fingerprint collection site.
- Police records: For records from the City of Frederick Police Department, submit a Public Information Act request directly to the department.
Search Frederick Criminal Cases by Case Number
Maryland uses a standardized case number format across all courts. Understanding the format helps you locate the right record quickly.
A typical Maryland case number looks like this: 10-K-24-012345
- 10 — County code (Frederick County is county code 10 in the Circuit Court system)
- K — Case type code. Common criminal-related codes include:
- K — Criminal (Circuit Court)
- D — Criminal (District Court, often shown differently)
- CT — Criminal traffic
- 24 — Two-digit filing year (2024 in this example)
- 012345 — Sequential case number assigned by the court
Enter the full case number into Maryland Case Search or provide it to the clerk's office when requesting records. District Court case numbers follow a similar structure but use different type codes.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Frederick
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Maryland Criminal Law Article section (e.g., CR § 3-203 for second-degree assault) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be modified by the State's Attorney before or during trial — the record will reflect both original and amended charges |
| Multiple counts | Each count is listed separately with its own statute code and severity |
Case Status
- Active / Open: Case is ongoing with pending proceedings
- Sub Curia: Under consideration by the court; decision pending
- Disposed: All charges have been resolved
- Closed: Case is fully concluded, including any post-disposition matters
- Inactive: No recent activity; may involve a warrant or postponement
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Initial court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing: District Court hearing to determine probable cause (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference: Meeting between attorneys and the court to discuss case management
- Trial: Bench trial or jury trial
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a guilty finding
- Review hearing: Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty: Defendant found or pleaded guilty
- Not guilty: Defendant acquitted at trial
- Nolle prosequi: State's Attorney declined to prosecute
- Stet: Case placed on inactive docket — may be reopened within one year (or three years for certain offenses)
- Probation before judgment (PBJ): Guilty finding is held; defendant placed on probation without a formal conviction
- Dismissed: Charges dropped by the court
- Merged: Charge merged with another count for sentencing purposes
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Frederick
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Frederick County is the custodian of Circuit Court criminal case files. You can request certified copies of court documents in person or by mail.
What you need:
- Case number or defendant's full name and date of birth
- Government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for copy and certification fees
State Criminal History (DPSCS)
For a comprehensive Maryland criminal background check, submit a request through the DPSCS background check program. This requires fingerprinting at an approved location. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office provides fingerprint services for this purpose.
Police Records
Incident reports and arrest records from the City of Frederick Police Department require a separate Public Information Act request submitted directly to the department.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Frederick
Fees for criminal record copies in Frederick County are set by Maryland statute and local court policy.
| Service | Fee | Authority / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 | Md. Courts Rule — standard copy fee |
| Certified copy | $6.00 | Per document certification by the Clerk |
| State criminal background check (DPSCS) | $18.00 | Fingerprint-based; submitted through DPSCS |
| Search fee (Clerk's Office) | $20.00 | Per name search conducted by clerk staff |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often processed same day at the Clerk's Office, depending on volume
- Mail requests: Typically 5–10 business days after receipt
- DPSCS background checks: Generally 7–10 business days after fingerprints are submitted; processing times may vary
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's Office generally include cash, check, and money order. Contact the office directly at 301-600-1976 to confirm current accepted payment methods before visiting.