Search Gaithersburg Criminal Records
Gaithersburg criminal records are part of the Montgomery County court system, which handles all criminal cases filed in this incorporated city of about 68,000 people. Gaithersburg is one of the few Montgomery County cities with its own municipal police department, which means arrest records may come from either the Gaithersburg Police Department or Montgomery County Police depending on where the incident occurred. Court records, whether from the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville or from District Court, are accessible through Maryland's free online case search portal, which covers records back to 1979.
Gaithersburg Overview
County Records and Jurisdiction
Gaithersburg is an incorporated city in Montgomery County. Despite having its own city government and police department, all criminal court records for Gaithersburg are held by the Montgomery County court system. City police make arrests and write reports, but cases go to county courts for prosecution and resolution.
The Montgomery County Criminal Records page gives the full picture of how the county handles criminal records, including all court locations, procedures, and access rules that apply to Gaithersburg cases. The Montgomery County Police Records Center is actually located within Gaithersburg, at 100 Edison Park Drive.
Courthouse Locations
All Gaithersburg criminal cases are heard in Montgomery County courts. The Circuit Court in Rockville handles felonies and jury trials. District Court handles misdemeanors and preliminary matters.
| Court | Montgomery County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850 |
| Phone | 240-777-9400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Jurisdiction | Felonies, jury trials, Grand Jury cases, appeals |
Montgomery County has several District Court locations. Cases originating in Gaithersburg may be assigned to the Rockville or Germantown District Court depending on the address of the incident. Check the case number prefix in the online system to confirm which court holds the file.
The Circuit Court clerk does not disclose dispositions by phone and does not run background checks. To get case details, use the online portal or visit the clerk's office in person.
Online Criminal Records Search
Maryland's free Case Search portal covers all 24 jurisdictions, including Montgomery County. Gaithersburg records dating to 1979 are available online at casesearch.courts.state.md.us.
The image below shows the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, the main tool for searching Gaithersburg criminal court records.
Source: Maryland Judiciary Case Search
The default search since December 2021 uses an exact name match. If you are not certain of the spelling, add a percent sign to the end of the name (for example, "Garci%" to find Garcia, Garcias, and similar entries). Results include case numbers, charge descriptions, dates, and dispositions.
Under 2024 rule changes, dismissed charges and acquittals no longer appear in public Case Search results. Cases on stet are hidden from public view after three years. These changes do not delete records. They only restrict what appears in the online portal.
Note: Montgomery County records in Case Search go back to 1979. For records before that date, contact the Circuit Court clerk directly.
Local Law Enforcement Records
Gaithersburg has two law enforcement agencies that may hold arrest records for incidents within the city. The Gaithersburg Police Department serves the incorporated city limits. Montgomery County Police may respond to some calls and handle areas just outside city boundaries.
The image below shows the Maryland CJIS background check page, a key resource for formal criminal history checks beyond what city police records contain.
Source: Maryland CJIS Background Checks
The Gaithersburg Police Department handles Public Information Act requests for incidents within city limits. The Montgomery County Police Records Center, which happens to be located at 100 Edison Park Drive in Gaithersburg, handles county police records separately.
| Agency | Gaithersburg Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 14 Fulks Corner Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 |
| Website | gaithersburgmd.gov/police |
| Agency | Montgomery County Police Records Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 |
| Phone | 240-773-5330 |
| Website | montgomerycountymd.gov/pol |
What Criminal Records Show
Montgomery County criminal court records cover charges, pleas, case outcomes, and sentences. These records are public under Maryland Rules, with some exceptions for sealed files, juvenile cases, and matters restricted by court order.
A typical case record includes the case number, charge description, statute cited, the plea entered, the final disposition (guilty verdict, acquittal, dismissal, or stet), and any sentence imposed. Attorney names and next court date also appear in active cases.
Since 2024, acquittals and dismissals have been removed from what appears in public Case Search results. Stet cases fall off the public portal after three years. These outcomes still exist in the physical court file but are not visible to the public through the online system. Sealed records and juvenile records do not appear at all.
Requesting Criminal Records
Online access through Case Search is free. Copies from the courthouse cost money. Standard Maryland court fees apply: $7.00 for a name search, $0.50 per page for copies, and $5.00 per certified copy.
For in-person requests, go to the Montgomery County Circuit Court clerk at 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. Bring a photo ID and be ready to pay by cash, check, or money order. Credit cards are not accepted at the counter.
Mail requests should be sent to the same address. Include the full name of the subject, a date of birth if known, and a check for the search fee. The clerk will mail back the results or notify you if nothing was found. Processing time varies but typically runs a few days to a week for simple searches.
CJIS Background Checks
For an official state criminal history background check, the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) maintains the statewide database. A CJIS check is more complete than a court case search because it includes records from multiple agencies across the state.
A state background check costs $18. Adding the FBI check for federal records brings the total to $38 to $45. Contact CJIS at 410-764-4501, toll-free at 1-888-795-0011, or by email at cjis.customerservice@maryland.gov. Full instructions are available at the CJIS background check page.
Expungement and Shielding
Maryland gives eligible individuals the right to expunge or shield criminal records. These are two separate options. Expungement removes the record from public access. Shielding keeps it on file but limits who can view it.
Expungement costs $30 to file. If the case ended in acquittal, the filing is free. Shielding applies to qualifying misdemeanor convictions after a set waiting period. Petitions must be filed at the court where the case was originally heard. For Gaithersburg cases, that is typically the Montgomery County Circuit Court or a District Court location in the county.
The Maryland State Archives criminal records guide lists eligibility rules, waiting periods, and the correct forms to use.