Baltimore County Arrest Records Search
Baltimore County arrest records are handled by the Baltimore County Police Department and the Circuit Court serving the county seat of Towson. This page covers how to request police records, which division to contact based on the type of case, how to use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for court filings, and what rights you have under the Maryland Public Information Act when requesting documents from county agencies.
Baltimore County Overview
Baltimore County Police Department Overview
The Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) is a CALEA-accredited agency, meaning it meets national standards for law enforcement policies and procedures. The department handles all police matters in unincorporated Baltimore County. For non-emergency calls and general inquiries, the main line is 410-887-2222. For emergencies, call 911. The department's public affairs office can be reached at 410-887-2210 if you need general information or a media contact. The BCPD also runs iWatch, a neighborhood tip program that lets residents report suspicious activity online or by emailing iwatch@baltimorecountymd.gov. Maryland law makes it a crime to file a false report, so tips submitted through iWatch must be truthful.
The Baltimore County Police Department page serves as the central hub for department contacts, services, and records-related information. The screenshot below shows the main department page.
That page links to division contacts, reporting forms, and other tools useful for people who need to follow up on a case or request records.
How to Request Baltimore County Arrest Records
Baltimore County Police records are obtained through a Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) request directed to the appropriate division. The department doesn't have a single central records counter the way some smaller agencies do. Instead, records requests often go to the specific unit that handled the case. For most incident reports and arrest records, contacting the department through its non-emergency line (410-887-2222) is a good first step. They can direct you to the right division or tell you what form to use.
The Legal Division handles PIA-related matters and can be reached at 410-887-2211. If you have questions about whether a record is releasable or want to understand the scope of what you can request, that's the office to call. The Internal Affairs Division at 410-887-2300 handles complaints and related records for cases involving officer conduct. Requests that touch on sensitive or ongoing investigations may face delays or partial redaction, which is standard under state law.
For cases involving specific crime types, each division maintains its own records. Criminal Investigations can be reached at 410-887-2271. Violent Crimes is at 410-887-6286. The Narcotics division handles drug-related case files and can be reached at 410-887-1870. Homicide and Missing Persons, for the most serious cases, is at 410-887-3943. Contacting the right division directly tends to speed things up rather than routing everything through a general inbox.
For arson cases, the Arson division number is 410-887-4870. Cyber and online crimes are handled by a separate unit at 410-887-2190. Most of these divisions can tell you what documentation to include when making a formal records request.
Evidence and Property Claims in Baltimore County
If you need to reclaim property held as evidence by the Baltimore County Police, the process involves several steps. First, contact the investigating officer assigned to your case. Once the officer determines the property is eligible for release, the Evidence Management Unit is notified. They will send you a letter with pickup instructions. You must bring that letter along with a valid photo ID. Pickup must happen within 30 days of the letter date. After 30 days, unclaimed property may be destroyed or auctioned depending on the item type.
The Evidence Management Unit is at 700 East Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286. Their phone number is 410-887-2276. Call ahead to confirm hours and to make sure your property is ready before you make the trip.
Maryland Judiciary Case Search for Baltimore County
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is free and covers all courts statewide, including the Circuit Court and District Court serving Baltimore County. You can search for criminal cases, see the charges filed, track case status, and find scheduled hearing dates. The system is not the same as a police department record. It shows what was filed in court after an arrest, not the arrest report itself. Still, for anyone researching an open or closed criminal matter in Baltimore County, it's a useful starting point.
Since December 7, 2021, the system requires an exact name match. If you're unsure of spelling, add a percent sign at the end of the last name (e.g., "Jones%") to pull broader results. You can't start or break up the name with a wildcard. A CAPTCHA is required for each search. Records that have been expunged or shielded won't appear, so a blank result doesn't mean no record exists. The case search is a reference tool, not an official record.
DPSCS Inmate Locator for Baltimore County Cases
If someone was arrested in Baltimore County and sentenced to serve time in a Maryland state correctional facility, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) Inmate Locator can show their current status. The tool shows which facility holds them, their sentence details, the committing county, and expected parole or release dates.
This tool covers state prison inmates only. It does not include people held at the Baltimore County Detention Center or anyone in pretrial detention at a local facility. If you're looking for someone held locally rather than in a state prison, contact the detention center directly or reach the BCPD non-emergency line for a referral.
Maryland Public Information Act Rights
Maryland's Public Information Act, found in General Provisions Title 4, gives residents the right to request records held by state and local agencies, including police departments. When you file a PIA request with the Baltimore County Police Department, the agency has 10 working days to respond. That initial response can be a notice that more time is needed, a denial with a stated legal basis, or a request for clarification. Fees for searching and copying records are set by the COMAR 29.01.02.13 schedule. The first two hours of staff search time are free under state law.
If you are the person named in the record, you have broader access rights than a third party. A "person in interest" can reach records that might be withheld from general requesters, particularly those that relate directly to their own arrest or incident. Denials must include the legal basis for withholding and must tell you how to appeal. The Maryland Attorney General's PIA Manual at oag.state.md.us/Opengov/pia.htm is a solid reference if you want to understand the full scope of the law before filing.
The Baltimore Police MPIA transparency page covers the process for requests directed at Baltimore City police, which is a separate agency from the Baltimore County Police Department. The distinction matters because Baltimore City and Baltimore County are legally separate jurisdictions. The screenshot below shows that page for reference.
When researching records that span both Baltimore City and Baltimore County, be aware that each agency handles its own files and PIA requests must be sent to the right one.
What Baltimore County Arrest Records Contain
An arrest record from the Baltimore County Police Department typically includes the date and time of the arrest, the name and identifying information of the person arrested, the charges at booking, the arresting officer, and any incident report filed at the time. These are police-generated documents. They reflect what law enforcement documented, not the final outcome of any court case.
Court records are separate. They come from the Circuit Court or District Court for Baltimore County and document what happened after the arrest: the formal charges, hearings, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing. To get both types, you need two separate requests from two different sources. Neither system is complete without the other if you want the full picture of a case. The BCPD holds the police side; the courts hold the legal proceeding side.
Some records are withheld from public access. Active investigations, juvenile records, and certain sensitive case types may be exempt from release. Expunged records don't appear in the Judiciary Case Search and must be removed from police files once a court order is issued. Shielded records follow a similar pattern for certain convictions after a waiting period under Maryland law.
Cities in Baltimore County
Two major communities in Baltimore County have dedicated arrest records pages with more specific local information.
Other communities in Baltimore County, including Catonsville, Parkville, and Rosedale, are served by the same Baltimore County Police Department and use the same records request process outlined on this page.
Nearby Maryland Counties
Baltimore County shares borders with several other Maryland counties. Each has its own police agency and records procedures.