Criminal records in Harford County, Maryland can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. HarfordCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Maryland Judiciary's statewide case search system, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and the Harford County Sheriff's Office also serve as access points for criminal records originating in the county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Harford
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Harford County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need an official copy or just want to look up case details.
Online Search
- HarfordCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information from Harford County. You can look up cases using a person's name or case number.
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search — The Maryland Courts Case Search portal provides free public access to case records from both the Circuit Court and the District Court. Search by party name, case number, or company name.
- DPSCS Background Checks — For a formal criminal history record check, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services processes fingerprint-based background checks through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS).
- Incarcerated Individual Locator — To check whether someone is currently in state custody, use the DPSCS Incarcerated Individual Locator.
In Person
- Visit the Clerk's Office at the Circuit Court for Harford County at 20 West Courtland Street, Bel Air. The office is open 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records.
- The Harford County District Court handles misdemeanors, certain felonies, and traffic cases. You can request to view public court records in person using the District Court records request form.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Harford County. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
- For a statewide criminal history records check, submit a fingerprint-based request through the Maryland State Police Central Records Division. A non-refundable search fee applies.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if searching by case)
- Type of court (Circuit or District)
Search Harford Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, it is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Maryland uses a standardized case number format across all courts.
A typical Maryland case number looks like this: 12-K-24-000123. Each segment conveys specific information:
- 12 — The county code. Harford County's code is 12.
- K — The case type code. Common criminal-related codes include:
- K — Criminal (Circuit Court felonies and serious charges)
- C — Criminal (District Court misdemeanors and certain felonies)
- D — Criminal appeal from District Court to Circuit Court
- 24 — The two-digit filing year (e.g., 2024).
- 000123 — The sequential case number assigned by the court.
Enter the full case number into the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system or provide it to the Clerk's Office for a direct lookup.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Harford
Criminal case records in Harford County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
- Statute code — References the specific section of the Maryland Criminal Law Article or other applicable code.
- Severity — Classified as a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies are generally heard in Circuit Court; misdemeanors and some felonies may be handled in District Court.
- Amended charges — The original charge may be changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion. Both the original and amended charges typically appear in the record.
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active / Open | The case is currently proceeding through the court. |
| Sub Curia | The court has taken the matter under advisement; a decision is pending. |
| Disposed | The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.). |
| Closed | All proceedings, including sentencing and any post-trial motions, are complete. |
| Inactive | The case has been stayed or placed on the stet docket (indefinitely postponed). |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment / Initial appearance — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists to proceed (typically in Circuit Court cases).
- Pre-trial / Motions hearing — Attorneys argue procedural and evidentiary issues before trial.
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial where the case is heard on its merits.
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a finding or plea of guilt.
- Review hearing — A post-sentencing check on probation compliance or other conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found or pled guilty. |
| Not Guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial. |
| Nolle Prosequi | The State's Attorney declined to prosecute the charge. |
| Stet | The case was placed on the inactive docket; it may be reopened within one year (or three years for certain offenses). |
| Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) | Guilt is found but no conviction is entered; the defendant is placed on probation. |
| Dismissed | The charge was dismissed by the court. |
| Merged | The charge was merged with another count for sentencing purposes. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Harford
Certified copies of criminal case records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. In Harford County, requests are handled by different offices depending on the record type.
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Harford County provides certified copies of criminal case documents filed in Circuit Court.
To request certified copies:
- Visit the Clerk's Office in person or send a written request by mail.
- Provide the case number, defendant's name, and the specific documents needed.
- Present a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
- Pay the applicable copy and certification fees (see below).
District Court
For misdemeanor and traffic criminal cases handled in District Court, contact the Harford County District Court directly. You may need to complete a records request form.
State Criminal History (Rap Sheet)
A formal criminal history record — sometimes called a rap sheet — is maintained by the Maryland CJIS Central Repository. To obtain your own record or authorize a third-party check:
- Submit a fingerprint-based request through the DPSCS background check process.
- Fingerprinting can be completed at designated locations, including some law enforcement offices.
- Results are mailed to the requesting individual or authorized agency.
Harford County Sheriff's Office — Criminal Records Unit
The Sheriff's Office maintains its own records related to arrests and incidents. Requests can be submitted under the Maryland Public Information Act.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Harford
Fees vary by the type of record and the office that handles the request. Below are the standard costs based on Maryland court fee schedules and state agency rates.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Maryland Rule 16-504 (Circuit Court) |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 per document | Maryland Rule 16-504 |
| Search fee (Circuit Court Clerk) | $20.00 per name | Maryland Rule 16-504 |
| Maryland State Police document search | $4.00 (non-refundable) | Maryland State Police Central Records Division |
| CJIS criminal history (fingerprint-based) | $30.00 – $75.00 (varies by purpose) | DPSCS; fees depend on whether the check is state-only or includes FBI |
Processing Times
- In-person court record copies — Usually available the same day if the case file is on-site. Older or archived records may take several business days to retrieve.
- Mail requests to the Clerk's Office — Allow 5–10 business days, plus mailing time.
- CJIS criminal history checks — Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks from the date fingerprints are received, though times can vary based on volume.
- Maryland State Police records — Allow approximately 7–10 business days.
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's Office generally include cash, check, and money order. The Maryland State Police Central Records Division accepts checks or money orders only — no cash. Confirm accepted payment methods before submitting your request.