Criminal records in Garrett County, Maryland can be accessed through several channels. GarrettCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Garrett County. Beyond that resource, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court, the Garrett County Sheriff's Office, and the District Court in Oakland all serve as access points for criminal record information.
How to Search Criminal Records in Garrett County
Several methods are available for searching Garrett County criminal records. What you need to begin depends on the method you choose, but having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or a case number will produce the most accurate results.
Online Search
- GarrettCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information connected to Garrett County cases.
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search — The statewide portal operated by the Maryland Judiciary provides public access to case records from both the Circuit Court and District Court. You can search by party name, case number, or company name. Select "Garrett County" under the court location filter to narrow results.
- Sheriff's Office Arrest Log — The Garrett County Sheriff's Office publishes a recent arrest log online, including names, charges, and arrest dates. The Sheriff's site also lists outstanding warrants.
In Person
- Circuit Court Clerk's Office — Visit the Garrett County Courthouse in Oakland to search criminal case files. Public access terminals may be available during business hours.
- District Court — The District Court for Garrett County is located at 205 South Third Street in Oakland. Misdemeanor and traffic criminal cases are handled here.
Garrett County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
District Court of Maryland for Garrett County
By Mail or Written Request
To request criminal records by mail, contact the Garrett County Circuit Court's judicial records representative. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), case number (if available), and a description of the records you need. For a formal Maryland criminal history, you can submit a request to the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository, which is the state-level criminal history repository operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety.
Search Garrett County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Maryland uses a standardized case number format across all courts. Understanding the structure helps you locate the correct case quickly.
- Court code — A numeric prefix identifies the county. Garrett County Circuit Court cases use the code 11; District Court cases use 0112.
- Case type code — A letter or letter combination indicates the case type. For criminal matters, common codes include K (Circuit Court criminal felony), C (Circuit Court criminal), and CR (District Court criminal).
- Sequence number — A six-digit number assigned in the order the case was filed.
- Year — A two-digit year suffix indicates the filing year.
For example, a case number like 11-K-00-012345 would indicate a Circuit Court felony case in Garrett County. Enter the full case number into the Maryland Judiciary Case Search to pull up charges, hearing dates, and disposition details.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Garrett County
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | References the Maryland Criminal Law Article section (e.g., CR §3-203 for assault in the second degree) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial review |
| Multiple counts | Each count is listed separately with its own statute reference |
Case Status
- Active / Open — The case is still being adjudicated
- Sub Curia — Under consideration by the court; a decision has not yet been issued
- Disposed / Closed — All charges have been resolved through verdict, plea, or dismissal
- Inactive — The case has been stayed or placed on the stet docket (indefinitely postponed)
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Initial appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing — Review of probable cause (District Court)
- Pre-trial conference — Scheduling and plea negotiation hearing
- Trial — Bench trial (District Court) or jury trial (Circuit Court)
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty finding
- Review hearing — Post-sentencing check on probation compliance or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Nolle prosequi — State declined to prosecute
- Stet — Case placed on inactive docket; may be reopened within one year (or three years for certain offenses)
- Probation before judgment (PBJ) — Guilty finding is entered but no conviction is recorded, subject to conditions
- Dismissed — Case terminated by the court
- Merged — One charge absorbed into another at sentencing
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Garrett County
From the Circuit Court Clerk's Office
The Garrett County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the custodian of Circuit Court criminal case files. To obtain certified copies:
- Contact the judicial records representative by phone, mail, or in person.
- Provide the case number, defendant name, and a description of the documents needed.
- Present a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
- Pay the applicable copy and certification fees.
From the District Court
For District Court criminal records, visit the Garrett County District Court in Oakland or use the Application to Inspect Public Records form available through the Maryland Courts website.
State Criminal History (CJIS)
For a comprehensive Maryland criminal background check, submit a request to the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository. This requires fingerprinting and is typically used for employment screening, licensing, or personal review. Requests can be submitted through a Maryland LiveScan provider or by mail to CJIS.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Garrett County
Fees for Garrett County criminal records are set by Maryland statute and court rules. The table below reflects standard charges based on Maryland Rules and the Clerk's fee schedule.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 per document |
| Search fee (Clerk's Office) | $20.00 per name searched |
| CJIS state criminal history check (personal review) | $18.00 |
| CJIS state criminal history check (third-party/employer) | $18.00 (state) + applicable FBI fee if federal check included |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often fulfilled the same day for straightforward record copies, depending on staff availability.
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for the Clerk's Office to process and return copies.
- CJIS background checks — Processing typically takes 7–10 business days, though times may vary based on volume.
Fees are generally payable by check or money order made out to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Contact the Clerk's Office directly to confirm current accepted payment methods and any fee updates.