Garrett County Criminal Records

Garrett County criminal records are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Oakland and are searchable online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for cases filed since October 4, 1999. This guide covers how to find Garrett County criminal records online, in person, or by mail, and explains what the records contain, who maintains them, and what the fees are.

Circuit Court Clerk for Garrett County

The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Garrett County maintains criminal case files for the county. The office is at 203 S. Fourth Street in Oakland and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the clerk by phone at 301-334-1937.

Garrett County is the westernmost county in Maryland and one of the smallest by population, but the clerk's office handles the same range of records as any other Maryland circuit court. Felony cases, serious misdemeanors, and appeals from the District Court all land here. If you want case documents in person, bring a photo ID and either the defendant's full name or a case number. The clerk can search by name or number at the counter.

Mail requests go to: Clerk of the Circuit Court, Garrett County, 203 S. Fourth Street, Oakland, MD 21550. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, the approximate offense date, which documents you need, your return address, and a check or money order for the copy fees. Without a case number, it helps to include as much identifying information as possible so staff can locate the right file. Processing times for mail requests can take one to two weeks.

One thing to know before you call: the clerk's office does not give out dispositions over the phone. You need to request that in writing or come in. They also do not run criminal background checks. For a formal background check, you contact the Criminal Justice Information System separately.

The Garrett County Clerk's office page on the Maryland Courts website has contact details and a list of services available at the counter.

The clerk's page shows hours, contact info, and what services are available to the public in Garrett County.

Maryland Judiciary Case Search for Garrett County

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the main tool for searching Garrett County criminal records online. It is free, requires no login, and covers all 24 Maryland jurisdictions. For Garrett County, records go back to October 4, 1999. That is the date the county came online in the statewide system.

Since December 2021, the system defaults to an exact name search. If you are unsure of a spelling, use a percent sign as a wildcard character. Typing "Smi%" will pull results for names starting with those letters. This is useful when you are working with an unusual name or a possible alternate spelling. You can also search by case number if you have one, which narrows results immediately.

The system shows case type, filing date, charges, and case status. Keep in mind that the 2024 access changes removed dismissed charges, acquittals, and nolle prosequi outcomes from public view. Stet dispositions also disappear after three years. What you can see are active cases, convictions, and pending matters that remain public under current Maryland law.

What Garrett County Criminal Records Include

A typical Garrett County criminal case file contains the charging document (information or indictment), a full docket showing every event in the case, attorney information, bond details, and the final disposition. If the case went to sentencing, the judgment and commitment order will be in the file along with any probation terms. Appeals are noted in the docket as well.

Certified copies carry the court seal and a clerk's certification. You need certified copies for legal purposes, such as proving a prior case outcome in another jurisdiction. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Recordings of hearings held after July 31, 2014, can be requested on CD for $25.00 per hearing. If you need a written transcript, the court uses the eScribers portal for that service, and you order directly through them.

Records that are sealed or expunged do not appear in Case Search and are not accessible at the clerk's counter without a court order. Juvenile records are also restricted and are not part of the public criminal file.

The Maryland Courts information page for Garrett County covers what types of cases are handled locally and gives context on how records are organized.

The Maryland Courts Garrett County page provides background on court structure and the types of cases handled in this jurisdiction.

District Court Criminal Cases in Garrett County

The District Court for Garrett County is in Oakland and handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. If a District Court case is appealed or a defendant requests a jury trial, it moves to the Circuit Court, where the full case file is then maintained.

District Court records are also searchable through Maryland Judiciary Case Search under the same name or case number search. District Court case numbers use a different format than Circuit Court numbers, so knowing which court handled a case helps you interpret the results. For misdemeanor matters resolved entirely in District Court, you will not find a parallel Circuit Court file.

Law Enforcement Records in Garrett County

Arrest records and incident reports are separate from court case files. The clerk holds what happened in court. The agency that made the arrest holds its own records.

Garrett County is served by the Garrett County Sheriff's Office, which is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. To get an incident or arrest report, submit a Public Information Act (PIA) request in writing to the Sheriff's office. There is no single statewide form for PIA requests; you write to the agency, identify the record you are looking for, and wait for their response. The Maryland State Police also have jurisdiction in parts of the county and maintain their own records separately.

Criminal Record Background Checks

The Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) is the right place for a formal criminal background check. CJIS is run by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and is separate from the courts. You can reach them at 410-764-4501 or toll-free at 1-888-795-0011. Their email is cjis.customerservice@maryland.gov and their mailing address is PO Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708.

A Maryland state criminal history check costs $18.00. The result is a formal document that covers the full Maryland criminal history for the subject, not just what is visible in Case Search. CJIS can pull records that predate the online system and provides a response suitable for official or legal use. If you call the clerk's office asking for a background check, they will direct you to CJIS, so it is worth contacting them directly from the start.

Fees and Copy Costs

Case Search is free to use. Fees apply when you request physical copies from the clerk's office. Here is what to expect at the Garrett County Circuit Court.

• Regular copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00 each
• Audio CD (hearings after July 31, 2014): $25.00 per hearing
• Name search fee (official channels): $7.00

Payments at the clerk's office are typically accepted by check or money order made out to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Call ahead to confirm payment methods if you plan to visit in person, as practices can vary.

Expungement and Shielding in Garrett County

Expungement removes a criminal record from public view and, in some cases, entirely from state records. Shielding is a related but narrower option that limits who can see a record without fully erasing it. Both processes are handled through the Circuit Court for Garrett County.

The filing fee for expungement is $30.00. If you were acquitted, the case was dismissed, or the charge was otherwise resolved in your favor, the filing fee is waived. You file a petition in the same court where the original case was heard. The process takes several months from start to finish. If you are not sure whether a record qualifies, consulting a Maryland attorney or a legal aid service can help you understand your options before you file.

Historical Garrett County Criminal Records

Online access through Case Search covers Garrett County records from October 4, 1999, forward. For older cases, you need to contact the clerk's office directly or turn to the Maryland State Archives.

The Maryland State Archives criminal records guide lists what historical records they hold for each county and how to request them. A search costs $25.00. You can reach the Archives at 410-260-6487 or by email at msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov. For Garrett County specifically, older docket books and case records that predate the online system may be available either at the Archives or in the clerk's own storage.

The Garrett County Circuit Court maintains records that go back well before the online system, accessible by request at the courthouse or through the Maryland State Archives.

Nearby Maryland Counties

Garrett County shares a border with one other Maryland county. For records from a neighboring jurisdiction, use the link below.