Prince George's County Criminal Records
Prince George's County is home to nearly 925,000 people, making it the second most populous county in Maryland, and its criminal records system is one of the most developed in the state. The Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro has maintained case data going back to 1982, giving researchers and the public access to a long history of court filings. This guide covers how to search Prince George's County criminal records online, how to visit the courthouse in person, what records exist at both court levels, and where to look when online tools don't turn up what you need.
Prince George's County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk - Prince George's County
The Circuit Court for Prince George's County sits in Upper Marlboro and handles the full range of serious criminal matters, including felonies and significant misdemeanors. The Clerk of Court maintains all records for cases filed in this court and is the first stop for anyone who needs official copies of criminal case files. Most records are open to the public and can be reviewed during court hours.
| Address | 14735 Main Street, Room D1033, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 301-952-3318 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | Clerk of the Circuit Court |
The daily docket is posted at approximately 5:00 PM the previous business day. Walk-in access is available during regular hours, and staff can assist with locating case files. Keep in mind that the Clerk cannot search records on behalf of members of the public, and staff cannot give legal advice. You will need to conduct your own search or use the online tools described below. If you need a copy of a sealed record, you must file a written request with the court that explains why you need access.
Mail requests are accepted. Send your request to the address above and include the full name of the subject, approximate dates of any cases, and a check or money order for the required fees. Processing times vary based on volume.
Maryland Case Search for Prince George's County
The free statewide tool at Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers Prince George's County records going back to 1982, which is among the earliest start dates of any jurisdiction in the state. That depth makes it especially useful for researchers who need to look at older criminal history. The system covers all 24 Maryland jurisdictions, including both Circuit and District Court cases.
Since December 2021, the default search requires an exact name match. If you're not finding results, try using a wildcard like "Smi%" to pull up name variations. You can also narrow results by date range or case type. The Circuit Court Cases page on the county's own site links out to this tool and explains what types of cases are available. Cases in which charges were dismissed or the defendant was acquitted have been removed from public view as of 2024. Stet dispositions are hidden from public access after three years.
Note: The Clerk's office cannot search court records for individual members of the public. Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search or visit the clerk's office to conduct your own review.
What Prince George's County Criminal Records Show
Criminal records from the Prince George's County Circuit Court typically include the name of the defendant, case number, the charges filed, court dates, dispositions, and any sentencing information. They may also show whether bail was set and the outcome of bond hearings. These are public records and can be viewed by anyone.
Some records are not available to the general public. Juvenile cases are sealed by law. Adoption proceedings are restricted. Records that a judge has ordered sealed require a written petition to view. If a case appears in the index but the file is restricted, you will be told what category of restriction applies. In most situations involving adult criminal matters, the full file is open.
The Prince George's records portal offers an additional search option and may surface results that complement what Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides.
District Court Locations
District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and civil matters under $30,000. Prince George's County has two District Court locations. Both are part of the Maryland District Court system and their records also appear in Maryland Judiciary Case Search.
| Hyattsville | 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782 | 301-209-6300 |
|---|---|
| Upper Marlboro | 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 | 301-780-6900 |
If you are looking for a case that involved a minor criminal charge or a traffic matter, check both District Court locations. The Hyattsville courthouse handles a high volume of cases given its proximity to the Washington, D.C. area and serves much of the northern part of the county.
Law Enforcement Records
The Prince George's County Police Department maintains incident reports, arrest records, and related documents. These are separate from court records and are held by the police department rather than the Clerk of Court.
You can contact the Records Center at 4923 43rd Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781. The department's website at www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/police/ has information on how to submit records requests. The Prince George's County Detention Center also provides an online inmate lookup tool for checking current custody status. Police records and court records are separate systems. Having a court record does not mean there is a corresponding police report available to the public, and vice versa.
Fees for Criminal Records
The standard fee to search by name at the Circuit Court is $7.00 per name. Copies of case documents cost $0.50 per page. If you need a certified copy of a document, the fee is $5.00 per document. These fees apply across Maryland's court system.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search is free to use online. You can view case summaries and docket entries at no cost. Fees only apply when you request physical copies from the clerk's office. For background checks through the state's criminal justice database, contact CJIS (the Criminal Justice Information System) at 410-764-4501. The fee for a state background check is $18.00, and a combined state and FBI check runs approximately $38 to $45.
Expungement and Shielding
People with criminal records in Prince George's County can petition to have eligible records expunged or shielded. Expungement removes a record from public access entirely. Shielding limits who can see certain records without removing them from the system.
The filing fee for an expungement petition is $30.00. If the case ended in acquittal, the fee is waived. Once filed at the Circuit Court, the process can take several months. Not all charges are eligible. Convictions for certain offenses cannot be expunged under Maryland law. An attorney can review whether a specific record qualifies. The Maryland Courts legal help page on court records has guidance on the expungement process and forms.
Shielding is a newer option that became available through Maryland's Second Chance Act. It allows some people with qualifying convictions to have their records hidden from most public searches while remaining accessible to law enforcement and courts.
Note: CJIS background checks through the DPSCS portal reflect official criminal history and are not affected by expungements in the same way that court record searches are.
Historical Criminal Records
For cases before 1982, Maryland Judiciary Case Search has no data. Older records may be available through the Maryland State Archives, which holds historical court records from many counties. The State Archives criminal records guide explains what is available and how to submit a search request. The Archives charges $25.00 per search. Records held there tend to be older dockets, criminal papers, and related documents that were transferred from county courthouses over time.
For in-person review of older Prince George's records not yet transferred to the Archives, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly to ask what pre-1982 materials remain on site.
Cities in Prince George's County
Prince George's County contains one city with a population large enough to qualify for its own records page.
Nearby Counties
Criminal records for residents of neighboring counties are maintained by those counties' own courts and clerks. Below are links to nearby county pages.