Criminal records in Howard County, Maryland, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. HowardCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Howard County. The Maryland Judiciary's Case Search system, the Howard County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and the Howard County Police Department also serve as key access points for criminal record lookups and requests.
How to Search Criminal Records in Howard County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Howard County, depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- HowardCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information tied to Howard County criminal cases. You can look up cases by name or case number.
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search — The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the state's primary public portal for searching District Court and Circuit Court case records. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results typically include charge details, case status, hearing dates, and dispositions.
- Howard County Police Records — To request a police report, contact the Howard County Police Department's records section by emailing therecordssection@howardcountymd.gov.
- Incarcerated Individual Locator — For individuals serving state sentences, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services offers an Incarcerated Individual Locator.
In Person
You can visit either the Howard County Circuit Court or the Howard County District Court to search criminal records at public access terminals or request assistance from the clerk's office.
Howard County Circuit Court
At the District Court, you may need to complete a form to view public court records in person. The Maryland Courts website provides District Court forms for this purpose.
By Mail or Written Request
- Circuit Court Clerk's Office — To request judicial records from the Howard County Circuit Court, contact the Clerk's judicial records representative. Written requests should include the full case number, party name, and the specific documents needed.
- Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) — For a formal state criminal history record check, submit a request through the CJIS Central Repository. This typically requires fingerprinting and is used for employment or licensing background checks.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for Case Search)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Howard County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Maryland uses a standardized case number format across its courts. Understanding the structure helps you search more efficiently.
A typical Maryland case number looks like this: 13-K-24-012345
- 13 — County code. Howard County's code is 13.
- K — Case type code. Common criminal-related codes include:
- K — Criminal (Circuit Court felony cases)
- C — Criminal (Circuit Court, older format)
- CT — Criminal (District Court)
- D — Criminal appeal from District to Circuit Court
- 24 — The two-digit filing year (e.g., 2024).
- 012345 — The sequential case number assigned by the court.
Enter the full case number into Maryland Judiciary Case Search to pull up charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and related documents. If you only have a partial number, try searching by the defendant's name instead.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Howard County
Criminal case records in Howard County contain several categories of information. Here is what each means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Maryland criminal statute the defendant is charged under (e.g., CR § 3-203 for second-degree assault) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines the court level and potential penalties |
| Amended charges | Charges may be changed by the State's Attorney through plea negotiations or based on new evidence |
| Multiple counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — The case is ongoing and has not reached a final resolution.
- Sub Curia — The judge has taken the matter under advisement; a decision is pending.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi).
- Closed — All proceedings, including any sentencing or post-trial motions, are complete.
- Inactive — The case has been stayed or placed on the stet docket (indefinitely postponed).
Hearing Types
- Bail / Bond Review — Determines conditions of pretrial release.
- Preliminary Hearing — District Court hearing to establish probable cause in felony cases.
- Arraignment — Formal reading of charges; defendant enters a plea.
- Pre-Trial Conference — Scheduling and resolution discussions between prosecution and defense.
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial where evidence is presented.
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing for probation compliance or sentence modification.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or trial.
- Not Guilty — Defendant acquitted at trial.
- Nolle Prosequi — State's Attorney dropped the charge before trial.
- Stet — Case indefinitely postponed; may be reopened within one year (or three years for certain offenses).
- Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) — Defendant found guilty but judgment is stayed; commonly used in Maryland for first-time or minor offenses.
- Dismissed — Court dismissed the charge.
- Merged — Charge merged with another count for sentencing purposes.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Howard County
Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal proceedings, employment verification, and licensing applications. Informal printouts from Case Search are not certified.
Circuit Court Records
Contact the Howard County Circuit Court Clerk's Office to request certified copies of criminal case documents. You can submit requests in person or through the Clerk's judicial records request process.
District Court Records
For District Court criminal records, visit the Howard County District Court in person or submit a written request. You may need to complete the appropriate District Court records request form.
Police Reports
Police incident reports and related records can be requested from the Howard County Police Department records section. You may also submit requests under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA).
State Criminal History (Background Checks)
For a comprehensive criminal history report, contact the Maryland CJIS Central Repository. This process requires fingerprint submission and is typically used for employment, licensing, or volunteer screening.
What You Need
- Full case number or defendant name
- Government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Completed request form (if required by the court)
- Payment for applicable fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Howard County
Fees for criminal record copies in Maryland are set by statute and court rule. Below are the standard fees that generally apply in Howard County.
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Md. Rule 16-504; Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 7-202 |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 per document | Md. Rule 16-504; Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 7-202 |
| Search fee (Clerk's Office) | $20.00 per name searched | Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 7-202 |
| State criminal history record check (CJIS) | Varies (typically $18–$75 depending on type) | CJIS Central Repository fee schedule |
| Police report copy | Varies; contact HCPD records section | MPIA / departmental policy |
Processing Times
- Online (Case Search) — Immediate results for available records.
- In-person clerk requests — Often same-day for standard copies; certified copies may take longer if records must be retrieved.
- Written / mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing, plus mailing time.
- CJIS background checks — Processing times vary; fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks.
- MPIA requests — Howard County must respond within 30 days, though records may be produced sooner.
Payment methods accepted at the courthouse typically include cash, check, and money order. Contact the Clerk's Office directly to confirm accepted payment forms for your specific request.