Find Criminal Records in Ellicott City

Ellicott City criminal records are kept by the Howard County Circuit Court and the Howard County District Court, both of which are located within Ellicott City itself. As the county seat of Howard County, Ellicott City is home to all major court facilities that serve the county's roughly 325,000 residents. Criminal records from May 1999 forward are available through Maryland's free online case search system, and older records can be accessed in person at the courthouse. This page explains where to find records, how to request copies, and what options exist for background checks and expungement.

County Jurisdiction and Records

Ellicott City is the county seat of Howard County. All criminal records for this community are part of the Howard County court system. The Howard County Criminal Records page covers the full scope of county-level resources, including addresses, fees, and access procedures that apply to Ellicott City cases.

Howard County is served by a single Circuit Court and a single District Court, both physically located in Ellicott City. This makes in-person record access straightforward. You do not need to travel to a separate county seat because you are already there.

Courthouse Locations

Both courts that handle Ellicott City criminal cases sit within the city. The Circuit Court handles felony charges, Grand Jury indictments, jury trials, and appeals from District Court. The District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings.

The clerk's office at the Circuit Court can confirm whether a case file exists and provide copies. Staff will not disclose disposition details over the phone, and they do not run background checks. For detailed case information, use the online portal or visit in person.

Online Criminal Records Search

Maryland's free Case Search portal covers all 24 jurisdictions, including Howard County. Ellicott City criminal records dating to May 1999 appear in the system. Use the portal at casesearch.courts.state.md.us to search by name or case number.

The image below shows the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, the primary tool for looking up Ellicott City criminal records online.

Source: Maryland Judiciary Case Search

The default search since December 2021 requires an exact name match. If you are unsure of the exact spelling, add a percent sign after the name stem (for example, "Jone%" to find Jones, Joneson, and similar names). Results show case numbers, charges, filing dates, and dispositions.

A separate case records page maintained by the Howard County Clerk is available at courts.state.md.us/clerks/howard/caserecords. This page provides clerk-specific contact information and explains how to request certified copies of Howard County records.

Local Law Enforcement Records

The Howard County Police Department is headquartered in Ellicott City. Its officers respond to most criminal calls within the county, including the Ellicott City area. Arrest records and incident reports come from this agency, not the courts.

The image below is from the Howard County Police Department website, which is the source for Ellicott City arrest records and incident reports.

Source: Howard County Police Department

Police records and court records are separate systems. An arrest record shows what charge was filed at the time of arrest. The court record shows what happened after. You may need both to get the full picture of a case.

What Criminal Records Show

Howard County criminal court records contain charge information, case history, and final dispositions. Public records typically show case numbers, charge descriptions, the statutes cited, how the defendant pleaded, the outcome, and any sentence imposed.

Some details are not public. Sealed records, juvenile files, and records expunged by court order do not appear in search results. Under 2024 changes to Maryland court rules, acquittals and dismissals were pulled from public Case Search results. Cases placed on stet are hidden from the public portal after three years. Those underlying files still exist at the courthouse, but they are not visible online.

Victims' identifying information is also protected in many case types. What you see in a public case record is the party names, docket entries, and disposition data, not police reports or victim statements.

Requesting Criminal Records in Person or by Mail

In-person requests go to the Howard County Circuit Court clerk's office at 9250 Judicial Way. Staff can pull a file while you wait for recent cases. Bring a photo ID and be ready to pay copy fees.

Maryland courts charge $7.00 for a name search, $0.50 per page for copies, and $5.00 per document for certified copies. These fees apply at Howard County. Payment options at the Circuit Court typically include cash, check, or money order. Check with the clerk about current payment methods before your visit.

Mail requests follow the same fee structure. Send a written request to the Howard County Circuit Court Clerk, 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Include the full name, date of birth if known, and a check or money order for the search fee. The clerk will mail results back or let you know that nothing was found.

CJIS Background Checks

For an official Maryland state criminal history background check, contact the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). This is the state's centralized criminal history database and covers more than what appears in court case records alone.

A state check costs $18. An FBI check that includes federal records runs $38 to $45. Reach CJIS at 410-764-4501, toll-free at 1-888-795-0011, or by email at cjis.customerservice@maryland.gov. The CJIS background check page has current forms and submission instructions.

Expungement and Shielding

Maryland law allows some criminal records to be expunged or shielded. Expungement removes the record from public view. Shielding limits who can see it. The rules on what qualifies differ depending on the charge type and outcome.

Filing for expungement costs $30. Cases that ended in acquittal can be expunged at no cost. Shielding is available for certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period. Petitions are filed at the court where the case was heard. For most Ellicott City cases, that means the Howard County Circuit Court or District Court.

The Maryland State Archives criminal records guide explains eligibility criteria and lists the steps to file a petition.

Nearby Qualifying Cities