Access Kent County Criminal Records

Kent County criminal records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Chestertown and are available through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for cases filed since May 8, 2000. This page covers how to search Kent County criminal records online, in person, or by mail, along with what the records contain, the fees involved, and how to request law enforcement records from the Sheriff's Office.

Kent County Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Kent County is located at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. Phone is 410-778-4600. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Kent County is one of Maryland's smallest counties by population, sitting on the Eastern Shore, but the Circuit Court clerk handles the full range of criminal case files for the county, including felonies, serious misdemeanors, and appeals from the District Court.

To request records in person, visit the courthouse with a photo ID and the defendant's name or case number. For mail requests, send your letter to: Clerk of the Circuit Court, Kent County, 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if you have it, the approximate date of the offense, which specific documents you are requesting, your return mailing address, and payment for copying fees. A case number helps significantly when searching older or less common names.

The clerk's office will not give dispositions over the phone. You must request that information in writing or in person. The office also does not perform criminal background checks. For a formal criminal history report covering Kent County, contact the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System directly rather than calling the courthouse.

The Kent County Clerk's office page on the Maryland Courts site lists current contact details and the services available to the public.

The clerk's page shows hours, contact information, and the types of requests that can be handled at the Kent County courthouse.

Maryland Judiciary Case Search for Kent County

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the main online tool for Kent County criminal records. It covers the county from May 8, 2000, forward. The system is free, available any time of day, and covers all 24 Maryland jurisdictions from a single interface. No account is needed.

The default since December 2021 is exact name matching. If you are not certain of the correct spelling, use a percent sign as a wildcard. Typing "Ken%" will return names that start with those three letters. This is especially helpful in a smaller county like Kent, where case volumes are lower and a spelling variation could cause you to miss a match.

The 2024 rule changes affect what appears in search results. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and nolle prosequi outcomes are no longer visible to the public. Stet dispositions are hidden after three years. Cannabis possession cases have been removed from public view. What remains are active cases, convictions, and pending matters still classified as public under current Maryland law. If you search for a Kent County case and do not find it, it may have been removed under these rules.

What Kent County Criminal Records Contain

A Kent County criminal case file holds the charging document, a complete case docket showing every event and filing, attorney information, bond details, and the disposition. Sentencing documents are included if the case reached that stage. Probation violation filings and appeal notices also appear in the record when applicable.

Certified copies carry the court seal and a clerk's certification. You need them for any legal purpose that requires formal proof of a case outcome. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. Audio recordings of hearings from after July 31, 2014, can be requested on CD for $25.00 per hearing. Transcripts are ordered separately through the eScribers portal.

Sealed and expunged records do not show up in public searches and are not accessible at the counter without a court order. Juvenile records are also not part of the public criminal case file.

The Maryland Courts legal help page on court records explains in broader terms how public access to court records works across the state, which applies to Kent County as well.

District Court Criminal Cases in Kent County

The District Court for Kent County handles misdemeanor charges, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. When a defendant in District Court requests a jury trial, the case moves to the Circuit Court in Chestertown. If that happens, the full file is then maintained by the Circuit Court clerk.

District Court records are searchable through Maryland Judiciary Case Search. District Court case numbers follow a different format from Circuit Court numbers, and you can tell them apart by the prefix in the case number. Misdemeanor cases resolved entirely in District Court will not have a Circuit Court file. Both sets of records appear in Case Search under the same name search.

Kent County Sheriff's Office Records

The Kent County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. Arrest records and incident reports are held by the Sheriff's Office, not by the Circuit Court clerk. These are two separate systems. If you need a Kent County arrest record or police incident report, submit a Public Information Act (PIA) request to the Sheriff's Office in writing.

There is no uniform statewide form for PIA requests. Write a letter identifying the specific record you are looking for, who it involves, and the approximate date. Provide your contact information and a return address. The agency is required by Maryland law to acknowledge your request and respond within set time frames. For incidents involving the Maryland State Police, which also has jurisdiction in parts of Kent County, you would need to submit a separate request to that agency.

The Kent County Sheriff's Office website has contact information and may list available services for public records requests related to law enforcement activity in the county.

Criminal Record Background Checks

For a formal Maryland criminal background check that covers Kent County cases, contact the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) through the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Phone: 410-764-4501 or 1-888-795-0011. Email: cjis.customerservice@maryland.gov. Mail: PO Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708.

A state criminal history check costs $18.00. Adding a federal FBI check brings the total to approximately $38 to $45. The result is a formal document covering the full Maryland criminal history for the person searched. It goes beyond what is publicly visible in Case Search and is suitable for legal or official use. The Kent County clerk's office will redirect you to CJIS if you call asking for a background check, so contacting CJIS directly saves time.

Fees and Copy Costs

Searching Kent County criminal records through Case Search is free. Fees apply for physical copies requested at the courthouse.

• 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: $7.00

For mail requests, include a check or money order made out to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Kent County. Call 410-778-4600 to confirm payment methods and current procedures before sending a request.

Expungement and Shielding in Kent County

Expungement removes a Kent County criminal record from public access. Shielding restricts who can see a record without removing it entirely. Both processes are handled through the Circuit Court for Kent County in Chestertown.

The expungement filing fee is $30.00. If you were acquitted, the case was dismissed, or the charge was nolle prossed, there is no filing fee. You file a petition in the same court where the original case was heard. The process typically takes several months after filing. Maryland shielding law offers another option for certain convictions where full expungement is not available. A legal aid organization or Maryland attorney can help you assess which option applies to your Kent County record.

Historical Kent County Criminal Records

Case Search covers Kent County from May 8, 2000, forward. For earlier records, the clerk's office at 103 N. Cross Street may hold older case files and docket books. Contact the clerk at 410-778-4600 to ask about availability of pre-2000 records and the process for requesting them.

The Maryland State Archives criminal records guide covers what historical materials they hold for each county. A search costs $25.00. The Archives can be reached at 410-260-6487 or msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov. Kent County's older court records, some of which go back to the colonial period given the county's age, may be held at the Archives in part. Their online guide is the best place to start before making a request.

Nearby Maryland Counties

Kent County is on the Eastern Shore and borders several neighboring Maryland counties. Use these links to find records in adjacent jurisdictions.