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Anne Arundel County Court Records

Anne Arundel County court records are the documents, notations, and related materials filed with or created by trial courts during legal cases. These records are maintained by court clerks to provide official historical accounts of legal proceedings.

Contents of court records include the names of the parties to the case, attorney details, witness lists, transcripts, and recordings. Data created by other agencies and institutions, such as property and vital records, financial statements, and tax information, also appear in court records during litigation and prosecution.

Certain records, like offense descriptions, indictments, arrest warrants, and jail sentences, are exclusive to criminal case proceedings. On the other hand, records like divorce decrees, money judgments awarded as relief, probate filings, and liens are part of non-criminal (civil) proceedings.

Individuals can contact the specific records custodian (clerk’s office) to request or review case documents.

Are Anne Arundel County Court Records Public?

Yes. The Maryland Public Information Act establishes the public’s right to access court records. The Supreme Court, in Md. Courts & Judicial Proc. Code § 2-201 (4), further supports the act’s principles of transparency by allowing access to most case files.

Notwithstanding, certain state/federal laws and Supreme Court rules prevent access to protected sensitive information. Prevention applies to documents and details that, if released, may cause more harm than the benefit of their disclosure.

Examples of protected records include case files from juvenile proceedings, child-related matters such as adoption and custody, grand jury proceedings, and active police investigations. Other confidential and inaccessible records are sealed court proceedings, expunged criminal records, and sensitive financial information.

What Information is Available in Anne Arundel County Court Records?

Members of the public can find the following in Anne Arundel County court records:

  • Names and titles of case parties
  • Filing dates
  • Case number
  • Case status
  • Court schedules (hearing dates and locations)
  • Motions
  • Summonses
  • Warrants
  • Witness lists
  • Court orders
  • Judgments
  • Sentencing
  • Transcripts
  • Recordings

Anne Arundel County Court Records Search

People run court records searches to locate specific case information or order copies of court documents. A person’s search process depends on the type of record they seek and whether they want to inspect files, confirm case details (such as hearing dates), or obtain copies.

For example, one can confirm the status of certain cases online without visiting courthouses. On the other hand, courthouse visits are necessary for inspecting physical documents.

At the same time, the originating court case or legal proceeding determines which court’s records to search. The Circuit Court, sitting in Annapolis, is the county’s court of general jurisdiction where most cases are handled. The Anne Arundel County District Court handles less serious matters at its Annapolis and Glen Burnie locations.

Record requests for landlord-tenant cases, misdemeanors, lesser felonies, and civil matters worth $5,000 or less must be directed to the District Court. Information and files from civil cases valued above $30,000, serious felonies, most family law matters, and jury trials can be obtained through the office of the circuit clerk. Both courts share jurisdiction for matters worth more than $5,000 but not exceeding $30,000.

The following are different record search and request methods available for Anne Arundel court records:

  • Online Access: Statewide and county websites provide access to case information, including case descriptions, hearing dates, case status, presiding judicial officers, and service details.

The state judiciary’s website hosts a portal (Maryland Judiciary Case Search) where the public can search district and circuit court cases by name and case number. Site visitors conducting name searches are allowed to specify the county, court, and case type for more accurate results.

The website of the Anne Arundel County government features monthly District Court schedules. One can also find weekly dockets on each District Court’s website. The Circuit Court also publishes daily dockets on its website.

Dockets contain the case title, party name, case number, hearing time, and hearing room for each case.

  • In-Person Access: The local district and circuit court locations are open to members of the public for case file inspections and in-person copy requests. Intending visitors are often required to provide details of the case records they seek, such as the case number. One can run a name search on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal to find such details before approaching court staff.
  • Mail and Phone Request: Mail-in and telephone requests are available to people who wish to order copies of case records remotely. Interested parties can call or mail the district and county courts using the address information below.

Fees for Court Records in Anne Arundel County

Viewing case information online and in person is free. However, these fees will apply when requesting copies of case records:

  • 50 cents per page for plain paper copies
  • 50 cents per page for computer printouts
  • $5 per certification request
  • $10 per exemplified copy
  • $15 per recording
  • $10 per electronic recording
  • $3 per page (plus a $75 deposit) for transcripts
  • $5.50 per copy for marriage licenses

While court clerks in some jurisdictions dispense vital records, Anne Arundel birth and death records can only be obtained through the county’s health department. Birth certificates cost $20, and death certificates cost $18 for the first certificate and $20 per additional certificate.

Anne Arundel County Courthouse Locations

The following are the locations and contact addresses for the county’s courts:

Anne Arundel Circuit Court

Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County

8 Church Circle

Annapolis, MD 21401-1934

Phone: (410) 222-1219 (civil files), (410) 222-1420 (criminal files),

District Courts in Anne Arundel

Annapolis District Court

251 Rowe Boulevard

Annapolis, MD 21401-1586

Phone: (410) 260-1370

Glen Burnie District Court

7500 Governor Ritchie Highway,

Glen Burnie, MD 21061-3705

Phone: (410) 260-1800

Orphans’ Court

2011 E Commerce Park Drive

Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: (410) 222-1418

Criminal Records Access in Anne Arundel County

Criminal records are the files and documentation from criminal justice agencies that chronicle people’s interactions with the justice system. These records include criminal case files, arrest information, and detention data, among others.

Employers, law enforcement agencies, and the general public often refer to criminal records during background checks for employment and rental purposes, as well as during criminal investigations and neighborhood safety research.

People seeking information about arrestees who have yet to appear in court can contact the arresting agency, such as the Anne Arundel Sheriff’s Office or the Police Department.

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections can provide complete criminal histories, including arresting information transmitted by local law enforcement agencies. However, the background check service is restricted to people checking their criminal information, law enforcement, landlords, licensees, and employers.

To find criminal case records related to lesser felonies and misdemeanors, one can contact the county’s district courts or use available online search portals. Case files and information associated with serious felonies can be accessed using the Circuit Court’s search and request methods.

Anne Arundel County Probate Records

The Anne Arundel County Orphans’ Court has jurisdiction over probate proceedings in the county. Probate refers to the process of settling the estates of deceased county residents. The proceeding is initiated to take inventory of the deceased’s assets, appoint representatives where necessary, settle debts and taxes, and distribute property to heirs and beneficiaries. Heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, and other related parties may also commence legal proceedings in the Orphans’ Court to resolve estate disputes.

The county’s Register of Wills Office, which serves as the clerk of the Orphans’ Court, handles estate administration and maintains records generated during probate proceedings. These records include wills and probate filings, names of representatives, financial information, and details emerging from legal contests.

One can contact the Register’s office to obtain or view probate documents. The Estate Search and Claim Search online portals also allow members of the public to view certain probate records.

Anne Arundel County Family Court Records

Anne Arundel County family court records originate from cases involving marriages, domestic relationships, and child welfare matters heard in the Circuit Court. These cases include divorce, domestic violence, child custody and visitation, adoption, alimony, and change of name, among others.

The Circuit Court Clerk dispenses these records. However, one must note that matters related to children, particularly adoption and custody, are generally restricted to the parties involved in the case and their attorneys. Some information in domestic violence cases, such as a victim’s identity, is also protected.

Federal Court Records in Anne Arundel County

Federal court records in Anne Arundel County are case files and details of proceedings originating from the U.S. District of Maryland, Northern Division. The court hears civil, criminal, and bankruptcy cases and has jurisdiction over matters involving the U.S. government, the Constitution, or federal laws enacted by Congress. The Northern Division also handles cases involving parties from different states or countries.

The court clerk’s office maintains records generated and collected during these legal proceedings. The federal court system provides online access through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system (PACER) to registered users. Although registration is free, users incur fees for various services. Viewing documents costs 10 cents per page, and audio files cost $2.40 per file.

However, the courthouse in Baltimore provides public terminals for viewing court records. Individuals can also submit copy work requests to the clerk’s office to purchase physical copies of case documents.

Anne Arundel County Court