Somerset County Criminal Records
Somerset County criminal records are available online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, with coverage beginning December 11, 2000. One of Maryland's smaller counties by population, Somerset sits on the lower Eastern Shore with Princess Anne as the county seat. The Circuit Court in Princess Anne maintains all felony and serious criminal case files, and this guide explains how to search those records, what fees to expect, how to request official background checks, and how to access older materials held at the Maryland State Archives.
Somerset County Overview
Circuit Court Clerk - Somerset County
The Circuit Court for Somerset County is located in Princess Anne and handles all felony criminal matters as well as serious misdemeanor cases. The Clerk of Court maintains court files and is the primary point of contact for anyone who needs copies of case records or wants to review files in person. Records are open to the public during regular business hours.
| Address | 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | 410-845-4840 |
| Criminal Dept. | 410-845-4850 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Clerk Website | mdcourts.gov/clerks/somerset |
Walk-in access is available during regular hours. The public can view open case files in person at the clerk's office. Staff can direct you to the right location but cannot search records on your behalf. If you are calling ahead, use the criminal department phone number for cases that involve criminal charges rather than the main line.
This office does not perform criminal record checks or background checks. That function belongs to the Maryland State Police and the CJIS division at DPSCS. If you need an official criminal history report, you must contact those agencies directly rather than the court clerk. Contact Maryland State Police at 1-888-795-0011 or CJIS at 410-764-4501.
Mail-in requests are accepted. Send a written request with the subject's full name, any known case numbers, and payment for fees to the address above. Allow reasonable processing time, as this is a smaller court with limited staff.
Maryland Case Search for Somerset County
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool covers Somerset County from December 11, 2000 forward. This free statewide system includes both Circuit and District Court cases for the county. You can search by name, case number, or a combination of criteria.
Since December 2021, searching by name requires an exact match by default. If you are not finding results, try a partial name followed by a wildcard, such as "Willi%" to find names starting with Willi. You can also filter results by date range or case type. As of 2024, cases where charges were dismissed or the defendant was found not guilty are no longer displayed in public search results. Stet dispositions are removed from public view after three years. Keep these rules in mind if you are trying to locate a case that you know exists but is not appearing in the results.
Note: Somerset County case data begins December 11, 2000. Cases filed before that date require a separate request from the clerk's office or the Maryland State Archives.
What Criminal Records Contain
Somerset County criminal records from the Circuit Court show the name of the defendant, the case number, charge descriptions, hearing dates, disposition information, and sentencing details when a conviction occurred. Bond hearings, continuances, and attorney appearances also appear in the docket.
Records are public in most adult criminal cases. Juvenile cases are sealed under Maryland law. A judge can also order the sealing of specific adult records in certain circumstances. If a file is sealed, the clerk's office can confirm that but cannot tell you why without authorization. The Maryland Courts legal help page has general information about what types of records are available to the public and under what conditions access may be restricted.
Court records and background check records serve different purposes. A court case file shows what the court handled. A criminal history report from CJIS reflects what law enforcement submitted to the statewide database. The two are not always identical, and for official background check purposes, the CJIS report is the authoritative source.
District Court in Princess Anne
Somerset County is served by a District Court that handles misdemeanor offenses, traffic matters, and civil cases under $30,000. Records from this court are included in Maryland Judiciary Case Search alongside Circuit Court cases.
| Address | 12155 Elm Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-845-4700 |
If the case you are looking for involved a minor criminal charge, traffic offense, or a civil dispute, it likely went through District Court. Searches in Maryland Judiciary Case Search will pick up District Court cases automatically alongside Circuit Court results. You do not need to search separately.
Background Checks and Law Enforcement
For official criminal background checks, the Circuit Court clerk is not the right agency. Background checks in Maryland are handled by the Criminal Justice Information System at DPSCS. You can reach CJIS at 410-764-4501 or toll-free at 1-888-795-0011. Their mailing address is PO Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. Email inquiries can go to cjis.customerservice@maryland.gov.
The DPSCS background check portal handles both individual self-checks and third-party background check requests. A Maryland state criminal history check costs $18.00. A combined state and FBI fingerprint check runs approximately $38 to $45 depending on the processing method. These fees are separate from any court record fees.
Somerset County is served by the Somerset County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement. Arrest records and incident reports are held by the Sheriff's Office and are not part of the Circuit Court's records. To request police records, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.
Fees for Court Records
The standard fee to search by name at the Somerset County Circuit Court is $7.00 per name. Copies of documents cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. These fees are consistent with the statewide rate.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search is free to use online. You can review case summaries, docket entries, and charge information without any charge. Fees apply only when you need physical copies from the clerk's office. Budget for mailing costs if you are submitting a request by mail, as you will need to include a self-addressed return envelope or specify your preferred return method.
Expungement in Somerset County
Maryland law gives eligible individuals the right to petition for expungement of qualifying criminal records. In Somerset County, the process begins at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. An expungement removes a record from public view, while shielding restricts who can see it without fully removing it from the system.
The filing fee for an expungement petition in Somerset County is $30.00. If the case ended in an acquittal or was otherwise resolved in favor of the defendant, the filing fee is waived. To file, you must complete the Petition for Expungement form and the General Waiver and Release. Both documents must be submitted to the clerk along with the $30.00 filing fee. The clerk will then process the petition and notify the relevant agencies if the court grants the request.
Not all charges qualify for expungement. Convictions for certain serious offenses cannot be expunged under current Maryland law. Some charges require a waiting period before a petition can be filed. The Maryland Courts legal help page has the forms and explains eligibility rules in plain language. If you are uncertain whether a specific record qualifies, a Maryland attorney can review the circumstances and advise you.
Shielding is a newer option created by Maryland's Second Chance Act. A shielded record does not appear in public searches but remains visible to law enforcement and courts. Some convictions that cannot be expunged may qualify for shielding instead.
Note: After an expungement is granted, notify CJIS at cjis.customerservice@maryland.gov to ensure the state background check database is updated accordingly.
Historical Criminal Records at State Archives
The Maryland State Archives holds two significant collections of historical criminal records from Somerset County. These are the Criminal Dockets from 1947 to 1965 and Criminal Papers from 1947 through 2006. Together, these collections cover more than half a century of criminal case activity that predates the online court system.
The State Archives criminal records guide documents what is available from each Maryland county and explains how to submit a search request. The fee for an Archives search is $25.00 per request. For older cases or records that do not appear in Case Search, the Archives is the most reliable place to look. Holdings may include original case papers, docket books, and other documents that were transferred from the Somerset County courthouse over the years.
For cases that fall in the gap between what the Archives holds and what Case Search covers, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly. Some courts retain paper or microfilm records that have not been transferred to the Archives and are not available online. Staff can advise whether such materials are still on site and how to access them.
The administrative judge for Somerset County is Daniel W. Powell. His office oversees the court's operations, including record management policy.
Nearby Counties
Somerset County borders two other Eastern Shore counties. Their criminal records pages are linked below.