Criminal records of St. Mary's County, Maryland, are available through several channels — online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. StMarysCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, you can use the Maryland Case Search portal, contact the Circuit Court clerk's office, or the county sheriff's office. Below are step-by-step instructions on searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Mary's
There are several ways to find criminal records. Which one to choose depends on what exactly you need and how quickly.
Online Search
- StMarysCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to view publicly available information about the county's criminal court cases.
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search — a free state portal providing access to District Court and Circuit Court records across the state. You will need the defendant's full name (last name required) or case number for the search.
- Incarcerated Individual Locator — a tool from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. It allows you to check if a person is in custody in a state correctional facility.
For online searches, you usually need to know:
- Full name (last name required)
- Date of birth (preferable but not always required)
- Case number (if known)
In-Person Visit
The Circuit Court clerk's office accepts requests to view criminal cases in person. Clerk Debra J. "Debbie" Burch and her staff will help you find the necessary record through public access terminals.
St. Mary's County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
St. Mary's County District Court is located at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. It handles misdemeanor cases and traffic violations.
Mail Request
A written request can be sent to the Circuit Court clerk's office at the mailing address provided above. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and the type of record you need. For an official criminal history check, contact the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) at the Maryland Department of Public Safety — it is the only official repository of state criminal records.
Search St. Mary's Criminal Cases by Case Number
The Maryland case number has a standard format, and knowing its structure speeds up the search.
Typical format: XX-Y-ZZ-NNNNNN, where:
- XX — county code (for St. Mary's, the code assigned to this county in the Maryland Judiciary system)
- Y — letter indicating the type of court: C — Circuit Court, D — District Court
- ZZ — case type code: CR — criminal case, CT — traffic violation
- NNNNNN — sequential case number and year of filing
For example, if you see a number starting with the county code followed by "C-CR," it is a Circuit Court criminal case. If "D-CR," it is a District Court case. Entering this number into the Case Search portal will take you directly to the specific case page without needing to filter results by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Mary's
Each criminal case record contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific article of the Annotated Code of Maryland under which the charges are brought |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended charges | The charges may be changed by the prosecutor — for example, reduced from felony to misdemeanor as part of a plea agreement |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — the case is still under consideration, no decision has been made
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including sentence execution
- Reopened — the case is reopened, for example, due to a probation violation
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused before a judge, charges are announced
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial — a procedural meeting to resolve preliminary issues
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Stet | The case is postponed indefinitely (typical for Maryland) — it can be reopened within a year |
| Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) | The court imposes probation without a formal verdict — a common practice in Maryland |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
Stet and PBJ are Maryland-specific results. PBJ, in particular, means that a formal verdict is not issued, but probation conditions must still be met.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Mary's
Certified copies of criminal records are required for employment, licensing, immigration cases, and other official purposes. A regular printout from Case Search is not certified.
Where to Obtain
- Circuit Court Clerk's Office — issues certified copies of court decisions, indictments, and other documents of criminal cases heard in the Circuit Court
- District Court — for cases heard in the District Court, the request is submitted directly to this court
- CJIS / DPSCS — to obtain an official criminal history record, contact CJIS at the Department of Public Safety. This requires fingerprinting
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Circuit Court clerk's office with valid identification (driver's license or passport). Provide the case number or defendant's name
- By Mail — send a written request including the full name, case number (if known), type of document, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fee. Address: P.O. Box 676, Leonardtown, MD 20650
- CJIS Criminal History Check — submitted through authorized fingerprinting locations. Criminal History Records Check includes both state and national (FBI) checks
For a request through the court clerk's office, a valid photo ID is usually sufficient. For a CJIS check, fingerprints are mandatory.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Mary's
Fees are set according to Maryland Rule and regulated by the court clerk's office.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $0.50 per page | Standard rate for Maryland Circuit Courts |
| Certification | $5.00 per document | Added to the copying cost |
| CJIS criminal history check (state) | $18.00 | The amount may vary; check the DPSCS website |
| FBI check (national) | In addition to the state fee | The amount is set by the FBI |
Processing Times
- Copies at the court clerk's office — usually issued on the same day when visiting in person if the case is easily accessible in the system
- Mail requests — from 5 to 15 business days depending on the clerk's office workload
- CJIS background check — from a few days to several weeks; times depend on the volume of requests and the need for FBI verification
Payment at the clerk's office is accepted by check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Confirm the possibility of card payment by calling 301-475-7844 before visiting in person.