Garrett Public Records /Garrett County Court Records

Garrett County Court Records

What Is Garrett County Court Records

Court records in Garrett County are the official documentation of proceedings, filings, and decisions made within the county's judicial system. These records are maintained pursuant to Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records, specifically Title 16, Chapter 900, which governs the creation, storage, and accessibility of judicial documents. Court records typically include case files, dockets, judgments, and other official documentation generated during legal proceedings.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Garrett County is the designated custodian of these records and is responsible for their maintenance and preservation. The records are categorized by case type and include:

Civil case records
Criminal case records
Family law proceedings
Land records and property transactions
Probate and estate matters
Business entity registrations

These records serve multiple purposes within the judicial system and broader community, including providing transparency in judicial proceedings, preserving legal decisions for precedential value, and documenting the resolution of disputes between parties.

Circuit Court for Garrett County 203 South Fourth Street, Room 109 Oakland, MD 21550 Phone: 301-334-7600 Circuit Court for Garrett County

Are Court Records Public In Garrett County

Court records in Garrett County are generally considered public documents in accordance with Maryland's Public Information Act and the Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records. The fundamental principle of public access to court records is established in Maryland Rule 16-902, which states that court records are presumptively open to the public.

Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of most court records during regular business hours at the respective courthouse where the records are maintained. However, certain limitations and exceptions to public access exist:

Records that are sealed by court order
Records that are confidential by statute or rule
Juvenile records, which are generally confidential under Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, § 3-8A-27
Certain family law matters including adoption proceedings
Mental health proceedings
Records containing sensitive personal information as defined in Maryland Rule 16-934

The Maryland Judiciary has implemented a system of administrative rules that balance the public's right to access with individual privacy concerns and the efficient administration of justice. Persons seeking to access restricted records may file a petition with the court pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-912, which outlines the procedure for requesting special access to otherwise restricted court records.

How To Find Court Records in Garrett County in 2025

Individuals seeking court records in Garrett County in 2025 have several methods available to locate and access these documents. The Maryland Judiciary continues to enhance accessibility while maintaining appropriate privacy protections.

To find court records in Garrett County, members of the public may utilize the following approaches:

In-person requests: Individuals may visit the Clerk's Office at the Circuit Court for Garrett County or the District Court location during regular business hours to request specific records. Requestors should be prepared to provide case numbers, names of parties involved, or other identifying information to facilitate the search.
Online access: The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system provides electronic access to case information for Circuit and District Court cases. This system has been expanded to include more comprehensive record information while still adhering to privacy restrictions.
Written requests: Individuals may submit written requests for copies of court records to the appropriate court clerk. Requests should include specific case information and contact details for the requestor.
Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC): Registered attorneys and certain authorized users can access court documents through the MDEC system, which has been fully implemented statewide.

District Court of Maryland for Garrett County 205 South Third Street Oakland, MD 21550-1526 Phone: 301-334-8020 Hours: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday (except legal holidays) District Court of Maryland

How To Look Up Court Records in Garrett County Online?

The Maryland Judiciary provides digital access to court records through several online platforms. These electronic resources have been developed to enhance public access while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations established under Maryland Rule 16-900 et seq.

The primary online resource for accessing Garrett County court records is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system. This database allows users to search for case information by:

Case number
Party name
Attorney name
Filing date ranges
Case type

The system provides case information including:

Party names and addresses (with certain privacy restrictions)
Case type and status
Scheduled hearing dates
Judgment information
Case disposition

For more comprehensive access to actual court documents, the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system provides authorized users with the ability to view filed documents. Access to MDEC requires registration and is primarily available to:

Licensed attorneys
Self-represented litigants (for their own cases)
Government agencies
Approved third parties with legitimate interests

The E-filing system also provides registered users with access to documents they have filed electronically. Users should note that online access to certain sensitive case types may be restricted in accordance with Maryland Rules 16-913 through 16-914.

Can You Search Garrett County Court Records for Free?

Public access to basic court record information in Garrett County is available without charge through several channels. The Maryland Judiciary has established policies to facilitate reasonable access while recovering costs associated with more extensive record retrieval and reproduction.

Free access options include:

Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This online database provides free public access to case information for Circuit and District Court cases. Users can search by name, case number, or other identifiers without incurring any fees.
In-person inspection: Members of the public may visit the Clerk's Office at either the Circuit Court or District Court in Garrett County to inspect publicly available records at no charge during regular business hours.
Public access terminals: Computer terminals are available at courthouse locations for searching electronic court records without charge.

While basic searches and inspections are free, fees may apply for:

Copies of court documents (currently $0.50 per page for standard copies)
Certified copies of court documents ($5.00 plus copy fees)
Record searches conducted by court personnel when specific case information is not provided by the requestor
Bulk data or specialized reports

Fee waivers may be available for individuals who demonstrate financial hardship pursuant to Maryland Rule 1-325. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing using the appropriate court form available through the Court Form Search portal.

What's Included in a Garrett County Court Record?

Court records maintained by the Garrett County judicial system contain comprehensive documentation of proceedings and are governed by Maryland Rule 16-903, which defines the scope and content of official court records. These records typically include multiple components that document the progression of a case through the judicial system.

A complete court record generally contains:

Case initiation documents: Complaints, petitions, indictments, or other filings that commence legal proceedings
Pleadings and motions: All formal written submissions by parties requesting court action
Court orders and judgments: Official decisions and directives issued by the presiding judge
Evidentiary materials: Exhibits, transcripts, and other items formally admitted into the record
Docket entries: Chronological listing of all actions taken in a case
Financial information: Records of fees, fines, restitution, and other monetary transactions
Service documentation: Proof that parties received required legal notices
Correspondence: Official communications filed with the court

The specific content varies by case type. For example:

Criminal cases include charging documents, bail information, plea agreements, and sentencing orders
Civil cases contain complaints, answers, motions for summary judgment, and final judgments
Family law matters may include financial statements, parenting plans, and marital settlement agreements
Land records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat drawings

Certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed pursuant to Maryland Rules 16-934 and 16-935, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information about minor children.

How Long Does Garrett County Keep Court Records?

The retention of court records in Garrett County follows the Maryland Judiciary's Records Retention and Disposal Schedule, which is established pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-505. This schedule prescribes specific retention periods based on case type, significance, and statutory requirements.

The standard retention periods for major categories of court records are:

Criminal felony cases: Permanent retention for serious offenses (murder, rape, etc.); 75 years for other felonies
Criminal misdemeanor cases: 10 years after case disposition
Civil cases: 12 years after case disposition for standard matters
Domestic/family law cases: Permanent retention for divorce decrees and adoption records; 50 years for other family matters
Juvenile cases: Until the subject reaches age 21, then sealed or destroyed per Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article, § 3-8A-27
Land records and property documents: Permanent retention
Probate and estate matters: Permanent retention for wills; 10 years after estate closing for administrative documents

After the prescribed retention period expires, records may be:

Transferred to the Maryland State Archives for permanent preservation
Converted to electronic format for long-term storage
Destroyed in accordance with approved procedures

Historically significant cases are typically preserved permanently regardless of case type. The Circuit Court for Garrett County maintains certain records dating back to the county's formation in 1872, though older records may be housed at the Maryland State Archives.

Types of Courts In Garrett County

Garrett County's judicial system consists of two primary court levels that operate within Maryland's unified court structure. Each court type has distinct jurisdictional boundaries and procedural frameworks established by the Maryland Constitution and state statutes.

The courts operating in Garrett County include:

Circuit Court for Garrett County: The court of general jurisdiction that handles more serious criminal cases, major civil litigation, family law matters, and appeals from the District Court. The Circuit Court is located at:

Circuit Court for Garrett County 203 South Fourth Street, Room 109 Oakland, MD 21550 Phone: 301-334-7600 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Garrett County Circuit Court

District Court of Maryland for Garrett County: Handles less serious criminal cases (misdemeanors), civil cases involving limited monetary amounts (under $30,000), landlord-tenant disputes, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings. The District Court is located at:

While not physically located in Garrett County, cases from the county may also be heard by:

Appellate Court of Maryland: Formerly known as the Court of Special Appeals, this intermediate appellate court hears appeals from Circuit Court decisions.
Supreme Court of Maryland: Formerly known as the Court of Appeals, this is the highest court in Maryland and hears cases of significant legal importance.

Each court maintains its own records according to established protocols, though the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) initiative has standardized many record-keeping practices across jurisdictions.

What Types of Cases Do Garrett County Courts Hear?

The courts in Garrett County adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional parameters established by Maryland law. Case assignment between the Circuit and District Courts is determined primarily by case type, severity, and the amount in controversy.

The Circuit Court for Garrett County has jurisdiction over:

Serious criminal cases (felonies)
Civil cases involving amounts exceeding $30,000
Family law matters including:
- Divorce proceedings
- Child custody and support
- Adoption
- Name change petitions
Juvenile proceedings
Probate and estate administration
Land records and property disputes
Appeals from District Court and administrative agency decisions

The District Court of Maryland for Garrett County handles:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Civil cases with claims up to $30,000
Small claims actions (up to $5,000)
Landlord-tenant disputes and eviction proceedings
Protective orders and peace orders
Traffic violations
Preliminary hearings for felony cases
Bail hearings

Specialized dockets and programs may exist within these courts to address specific case types, including:

Drug treatment court
Veterans treatment court
Mental health court
Alternative dispute resolution programs

Cases involving federal law or constitutional questions may be transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, which has locations in Baltimore and Greenbelt but not in Garrett County itself.

How To Find a Court Docket In Garrett County

Court dockets in Garrett County provide chronological listings of scheduled court proceedings and filed documents for individual cases. These dockets serve as the official record of case progression and are accessible through several channels in accordance with Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records.

To locate and review court dockets, members of the public may:

Search online: The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system provides access to docket information for both Circuit and District Court cases. Users can search by case number, party name, or attorney to view docket entries.
Visit the courthouse: Current dockets are typically posted in public areas of both the Circuit and District courthouses. Additionally, public terminals are available for electronic docket searches.
Contact the Clerk's Office: Court staff can assist with locating docket information for specific cases when provided with identifying information such as case numbers or party names.
Review published court calendars: Weekly or monthly court calendars listing scheduled hearings are often available at the courthouse and sometimes published on the court's website.

For attorneys and registered users, the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system provides more detailed docket access through the E-filing portal.

When requesting docket information, it is helpful to provide:

Complete case number (if known)
Full names of parties involved
Approximate date of filing or court action
Case type

Certain specialized dockets, such as grand jury proceedings, may have restricted access in accordance with Maryland Rule 16-913.

Which Courts in Garrett County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Maryland's judicial system, courts are designated as either "courts of record" or "not of record" based on their procedural requirements and the maintenance of verbatim transcripts. This distinction affects appeal processes and the documentation of proceedings.

In Garrett County, the District Court of Maryland for Garrett County is not a court of record for most proceedings. This designation means:

Verbatim transcripts are not automatically created for all proceedings
Appeals from District Court decisions to the Circuit Court are heard "de novo" (completely new trials) rather than reviews of the record
The court maintains case files and docket entries, but not official transcripts unless specifically requested

Exceptions exist for certain District Court proceedings where recording is mandated by statute or rule, including:

Preliminary hearings in felony cases
Proceedings where testimony is taken under oath in civil cases exceeding a certain monetary threshold
Cases where a party has specifically requested recording

The Circuit Court for Garrett County is a court of record, meaning:

All proceedings are recorded verbatim
Official transcripts can be produced from these recordings
Appeals to higher courts are based on the record established at the Circuit Court level
Comprehensive documentation of all testimony and evidence is maintained

This distinction is important for litigants to understand, particularly when considering appeal rights and the need to preserve testimony. In non-record courts, parties may need to take additional steps to document proceedings if they anticipate appeals.

Lookup Court Records in Garrett County

Maryland Judiciary Case Search

Circuit Court for Garrett County records

Court records access information

Garrett County court directory

Maryland Courts official website

District Court of Maryland records

Electronic court filing system

Court forms for record requests

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