Telephone & Walk In Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm

TO CONTACT US CALL: 410-222-1420

Case Search

You can now search cases from Circuit Court and District Court online by using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search feature.

We are not authorized to give legal advice.

The Criminal Department does not perform criminal record checks. For record check inquiries, please call Maryland Criminal Justice Information System at 1-888-795-0011.

​If you need to advise the courts that you are going to be late for court, please call 410-222-1397 and the phone receptionist will direct your call.

Late To Court

If you need to advise the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County that you are going to be late for court, please call 410-222-1397 and the receptionist will direct your call.

About the Criminal Department

The Criminal Department of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County Clerk's Office handles a variety of criminal cases. Many felony charges are heard in the Circuit Court except for some felony theft charges that may be heard in the District Court. Some less serious offenses which would normally be heard by District Court may be heard in Circuit Court by way of a jury demand to the Circuit Court if the punishment exceeds 90 days. In addition, an appeal of a District Court case, indictment or information filed by the State's Attorney may be heard at the Circuit Court.

The Circuit Court Criminal Division performs many duties which include filing and docketing case pleadings, issuing summonses, subpoenas, warrants, body attachments, and writs. A Judge may issue a bond to secure defendant's presence at court hearings. The Circuit Court Criminal Division will process the Circuit Court bond and you can post the Circuit Court Bond in the Circuit Court Criminal Department during business hours --- 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The Circuit Court cannot process a District Court Bond.

Although many criminal records are public records and open to the public, a case number is required when you call the Criminal Department for information about a case.  Cases that are public record can also be access in person at the Criminal Department.  Some cases are sealed, and sealed cases cannot be accessed without a Court Order.

​Subpoenas

The Criminal Department will issue subpoenas for commanding a witness to appear at a hearing or trial at the request of either party. The request must include the name, address and county of the witness and the party requesting the witness.  Requests must be filed at least 9 business days prior to the trial or hearing (Maryland Rule 4-265).

Expungement of Records

If qualified, a defendant may apply for an expungement of his/her record. Petitions and General Waivers (attachments), if required, are filed and processed in the Criminal Department. There is no filing fee for expungement of records where the disposition was an acquittal, dismissal, not guilty, stet or nolle prose. There may be a $30 fee for expunging eligible guilty dispositions. Please make check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County (Maryland Rule 4-501 through 4-512).  For additional information on expungements please visit the Maryland Judiciary website: http://www.courts.state.md.us/expungement/index.html 

Appeals

Requests to appeal a Circuit Court decision will be filed at the Criminal Department of the Circuit Court. Except as otherwise provided in this rule or by law, the notice of appeal shall be filed within 30 days after entry of the judgment or order from which the appeal is taken.

At the time of filing a notice of appeal an appellant shall deposit the fee prescribed. The filing fee for appeals is $121.00. Please make check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.

Filing Fees

Filing Fees may be found at MDCourts.gov: http://www.courts.state.md.us/courts/feeschedules.html 

Checks and money orders are payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Collection Fees: additional collection fees will be assessed if fees are not paid timely.