Access Bowie Criminal Records
Bowie criminal records are available through both the Bowie Police Department and Prince George's County courts. Unlike most communities in the region, Bowie is an incorporated city with its own municipal police force -- a CALEA-accredited department that handles local law enforcement and maintains records separately from county police.
Bowie Overview
Prince George's County Courts and Bowie Criminal Records
Bowie is an incorporated city in Prince George's County. Even though it has its own police department, criminal cases go through the county court system. The Prince George's County Circuit Court handles felonies and serious criminal matters. The District Court in Hyattsville handles misdemeanors and traffic cases.
Prince George's County Circuit Court is at 14735 Main Street, Room D1033, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. The phone is 301-952-3318. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Court records for Bowie cases are filed here and can be searched online or requested in person.
The District Court for the area is at 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Phone is 301-209-6300. Depending on the charge, a Bowie case may be in either court. Lower-level offenses typically stay in District Court. Felonies and cases with trial by jury go to Circuit Court. More information is available at princegeorgescourts.org.
Online Case Search for Bowie Criminal Records
Maryland's free case search tool covers Prince George's County records back to 1982. Use casesearch.courts.state.md.us and select Prince George's County as the jurisdiction. Enter the full name of the person you are searching. The tool is free and open at all hours.
Since December 2021, the search engine defaults to exact name matching. Use a percent sign (%) before or after the name for a broader search. Results show case numbers, charges, filing dates, and outcomes for public cases. Both Circuit and District Court records appear in the same search tool.
The 2024 law changes removed dismissed and acquitted charges from public Case Search. Stet dockets are hidden after three years. These changes limit what is visible for cases that ended without conviction, even if the case is technically on record in the court system.
Bowie Police Department - Municipal Law Enforcement
Bowie has its own city police department, which sets it apart from most communities in this guide. The Bowie Police Department is a CALEA-accredited agency, having earned accreditation in 2020. CALEA accreditation is a national standard for law enforcement agencies that demonstrates the department meets rigorous professional standards.
The Records and Administrative Office handles public records requests for Bowie Police. Call 240-544-5700 to reach the records line. In-person requests are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. For city government information, the main site is cityofbowie.org.
The Bowie Police Department also offers online reporting for certain incident types. This is useful for lower-priority incidents where you need a report number for insurance or documentation purposes. Check the police department page at cityofbowie.org/police to see which types of incidents qualify for online reporting. Not all incident types can be submitted online -- major crimes, incidents with injuries, and situations requiring officer response must be reported by calling 911 or the non-emergency line.
The Bowie Police Department works alongside the Prince George's County Police Department. Some cases and areas of the city may involve county police as well, particularly for larger investigations. Court records filed from either agency go through the same Prince George's County court system.
Note: If you are unsure whether to contact Bowie Police or Prince George's County Police for a records request, call Bowie Police at 240-544-5700 first -- they can direct you to the right agency.
The Bowie Police Department is a CALEA-accredited municipal agency that serves the city and maintains local law enforcement records separately from county police.
The Bowie Police online reporting page lets residents file certain types of incident reports without visiting the station in person.
What Bowie Criminal Records Show
Public court records in Maryland include the charge, case number, filing date, court appearances, and final outcome. Conviction records include the sentence. These are stored by the court clerk and searchable online or in person at the courthouse.
Police records are separate. Incident reports and arrest records are held by the Bowie Police Department or Prince George's County Police, depending on who handled the call. You request police records from the police, not the court. Some records may be withheld under Maryland Public Information Act exemptions for active investigations or personal data protections.
Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged or shielded records do not show in public searches. After the 2024 law changes, dismissed and acquitted cases were removed from the public case search tool.
Fees for Bowie Criminal Records
Maryland Judiciary case search online is free. Court copy fees: $0.50 per page for standard copies, $5.00 for certified copies. These apply at the Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro.
For Bowie Police records, contact the Records and Administrative Office at 240-544-5700 for current fees. Online incident reports through the city website may be available at no charge for certain incident types. Call ahead to confirm before visiting in person.
CJIS Background Checks
For official Maryland criminal history records, the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) provides statewide background checks through the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. A Maryland state check costs $18. An FBI federal check runs about $38 to $45 combined with the state check.
CJIS data includes records from multiple agencies across Maryland and goes beyond what is visible in public case search. Contact CJIS at 410-764-4501 or toll-free at 1-888-795-0011. Email is cjis.customerservice@maryland.gov. Full details and forms are at the CJIS background checks page.
Expungement and Shielding in Prince George's County
Bowie residents can file for expungement or shielding through the Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro. Expungement removes the record entirely. Shielding limits access to courts and law enforcement only.
The filing fee is $30 for expungement. Acquittal cases are free to file. Eligibility depends on the charge and how the case ended. Many nonviolent offenses qualify if the sentence has been completed. Serious and repeat offenses typically do not. A private attorney or Maryland Legal Aid can review your specific record and advise you on next steps.
Note: Even if a case no longer appears in public Case Search after the 2024 law changes, it may still be visible to law enforcement and in CJIS background checks -- expungement is still needed to fully clear it from those systems.
Historical Records and State Archives
For cases that predate the 1982 online search start, the Maryland State Archives may hold older Prince George's County criminal court records. The criminal records guide is at guide.msa.maryland.gov. Older records generally need a written request or in-person visit to the Archives.
The City of Bowie website provides access to police department information, online reporting tools, and contact details for records requests.
