Garrett County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Garrett County

Yes, arrest records in Garrett County, Maryland are considered public information under the Maryland Public Information Act. This means that most arrest records can be accessed by any member of the public, with certain exceptions for sealed or expunged records, juvenile records, or ongoing investigations.

The Garrett County Sheriff's Office maintains these records and makes them available through various methods. However, while the records are public, accessing them may require following specific procedures and possibly paying fees.

What's in Garrett County Arrest Records

Garrett County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's arrest, including:

• Full name and aliases of the arrested person
• Date of birth and physical description
• Date and time of the arrest
• Location of the arrest
• Charges filed
• Booking information and photographs (mugshots)
• Fingerprint records
• Case numbers
• Arresting officer information
• Bail or bond information
• Court dates and hearing schedules

These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form part of the criminal justice process in Garrett County.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Garrett County in 2025

To look up arrest records in Garrett County in 2025, you have several options:

1. Visit the Garrett County Sheriff's Office in person Sheriff's Office: 311 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550

2. Contact the Garrett County Detention Center Detention Center: 311 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550

3. Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court Circuit Court: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 109, Oakland, MD 21550

4. Check the Maryland Judiciary Case Search online system

5. Submit a written request to the Records Division of the Sheriff's Office

When requesting records, be prepared to provide the full name of the person, their date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Some requests may require identification and payment of fees for processing and copies.

How To Find Garrett County Arrest Records Online

Finding Garrett County arrest records online is becoming increasingly convenient. Here are the primary online resources:

1. Maryland Judiciary Case Search (http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us) This official database allows searches of court records, including criminal cases stemming from arrests.

2. Garrett County Sheriff's Office website The Sheriff's Office may post recent booking information and arrest logs.

3. Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services DPSCS: 300 E. Joppa Road, Suite 1000, Towson, MD 21286

4. Third-party background check websites Various commercial websites aggregate public records, though their information may not always be current or complete.

When using online resources, be aware that the most recent arrests may not appear immediately, as there is typically a delay between an arrest and when records become available online.

Can You Search Garrett County Arrest Records for Free?

Yes, there are several ways to search Garrett County arrest records for free:

1. Maryland Judiciary Case Search is free to use online

2. Visiting the Garrett County Sheriff's Office in person to view public records Sheriff's Office: 311 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550

3. Checking the Garrett County Sheriff's Office website for recent arrest information

4. Reviewing public terminals at the Circuit Court Circuit Court: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 109, Oakland, MD 21550

While viewing basic information is often free, obtaining copies of documents typically involves fees. These fees can range from $0.25 per page for photocopies to higher amounts for certified copies or extensive record searches.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Garrett County

Deleting arrest records in Garrett County requires going through the expungement process. Here's how to proceed:

1. Determine eligibility for expungement based on Maryland law

   • Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi may be eligible
   • Certain convictions may be expungeable after waiting periods
   • Some serious offenses cannot be expunged

2. File a Petition for Expungement with the court where the case was handled Circuit Court: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 109, Oakland, MD 21550 District Court: 301 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550

3. Pay the filing fee (approximately $30-$65, though fee waivers may be available)

4. Wait for review by the State's Attorney's Office State's Attorney's Office: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 132, Oakland, MD 21550

5. Attend any scheduled hearings

6. If granted, the court will order all agencies to expunge their records

The process typically takes 90 days or more to complete. Consider consulting with an attorney for guidance, especially for complex cases.

What Happens After Arrest in Garrett County?

After an arrest in Garrett County, the process typically follows these steps:

1. Booking: The arrested person is taken to the Garrett County Detention Center where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and their personal information is recorded. Detention Center: 311 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550

2. Initial Appearance: Within 24 hours, the arrestee appears before a District Court Commissioner who:

   • Informs them of charges
   • Determines eligibility for pretrial release
   • Sets bail if applicable District Court: 301 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550

3. Bail Review: If bail was set, a judge may review it at a subsequent hearing

4. Preliminary Hearing: For felony charges, a hearing determines if there's probable cause to proceed

5. Arraignment: The defendant is formally charged and enters a plea

6. Trial: The case proceeds through the court system Circuit Court: 203 South Fourth Street, Room 109, Oakland, MD 21550

7. Sentencing: If convicted, the judge determines the appropriate sentence

Throughout this process, the arrest record is updated to reflect each stage of the proceedings.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Garrett County?

In Garrett County, as in the rest of Maryland, arrest records are typically kept indefinitely unless they are expunged through legal processes. Here's what you should know:

• Records of arrests that did not lead to charges may be eligible for expungement after 3 years
• Records of arrests that led to acquittals, dismissals, or nolle prosequi may be eligible for expungement after 3 years
• Records of certain convictions may be eligible for expungement after waiting periods ranging from 3-15 years, depending on the offense
• Some serious convictions are never eligible for expungement

Law enforcement agencies, including the Garrett County Sheriff's Office, maintain these records in their databases. Even when physical records might be archived, digital records often remain accessible indefinitely for law enforcement purposes.

How to Find Mugshots in Garrett County

Finding mugshots in Garrett County can be challenging due to privacy considerations, but several options exist:

1. Contact the Garrett County Sheriff's Office directly Sheriff's Office: 311 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550 They may provide mugshots upon request for specific cases, though policies vary.

2. Check the Garrett County Detention Center website Some detention facilities post recent booking photos online.

3. Submit a Maryland Public Information Act request This formal request can be submitted to the Sheriff's Office for specific mugshots.

4. Search third-party websites that aggregate mugshots Be aware that these sites may not have current information and sometimes charge fees for removal.

5. Local newspaper archives Local publications sometimes publish mugshots for significant arrests.

Remember that while mugshots are generally considered public records, access may be restricted in certain cases, such as for juvenile arrests or ongoing investigations.

Lookup Arrest Records in Garrett County

To lookup arrest records in Garrett County, you can use the following resources:

• Maryland Judiciary Case Search - Search court records including criminal cases
• Garrett County Sheriff's Office - Official law enforcement agency for Garrett County
• Maryland Department of Public Safety - State-level criminal justice information
• Garrett County Circuit Court - Court records for more serious criminal cases
• Garrett County District Court - Court records for misdemeanors and initial hearings

These resources provide various ways to access public arrest information in Garrett County, whether you're conducting research, performing a background check, or seeking information about a specific case.