Garrett County Arrest Records

In Garrett County, an individual may be apprehended and placed in law enforcement custody because of a criminal offense. The arrest process in Garrett follows guidelines outlined in the Maryland Criminal Procedure, which specifies criteria that must be met for a person's arrest—for instance, when they are observed committing a crime or become an arrest warrant subject.

Apprehended individuals in Garrett are transferred to the local detention facility, where details about the incident and the suspect will be captured and logged into the system (also called "booking"). In some cases, an arrestee will remain in secure custody until they are brought before a judge, and in other situations, they may be released after bail is posted.

The Garrett detention facility is managed by the Office of the Sheriff, which is charged with preserving the information collected during the booking process. Records compiled during booking include the Garrett arrest records, which serve as essential documentation for initiating criminal cases. The Garrett County court records can be examined to determine how a criminal case was resolved.

Are Arrest Records Public in Garrett County?

Yes, Garrett County arrest records are publicly accessible following G.P. § 4-101 et seq. (Maryland's Public Information Act), except where a statutory or judicial exemption stands. Confidentiality provisions may be established by other state laws, federal statutes, or even through court orders.

Records exempt from public access include unserved arrest warrants; records of ongoing investigations; records of minors; sensitive personal information like Social Security data, financial information, and mental health records; and expunged or sealed records.

Access to confidential information is typically limited to individuals authorized by statute or judicial directive.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Publicly accessible information in Garrett arrest records can vary depending on the search method. Hence, the data available on an online database may differ from what a person may find through an in-person or mail inquiry. Usually, online searches produce more limited records, with in-person or mail requests preferable for detailed responses and copies of original documents. Information that may be obtained from an online public arrest records portal includes an arrestee's mugshot, the arrest date, the arresting/investigating agency, and the arrestee's custody status.

Garrett County Arrest Statistics

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crime Data Explorer features comprehensive Garrett County crime and arrest statistics. These figures are compiled from local arresting agencies, which include the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office and the Oakland Police Department.

In 2023, the Sheriff's Office recorded 673 arrests, 488 of which were classified as all other (unspecified) arrests. For identifiable offenses, drug/narcotic violations recorded the highest frequency of arrests, with 58 occurrences that year. Meanwhile, driving under the influence resulted in 50 arrests, larceny theft accounted for 31 arrests, and aggravated assault arrests totaled 19 incidents.

Other local agency arrest statistics are available on the CDE platform.

Find Garrett County Arrest Records

Utilizing search services provided by law enforcement agencies is one guaranteed way to obtain arrest records in Garrett County. For a local search, a person can speak to the Sheriff's office personnel or contact the specific arresting agency. At least one or a combination of these details will be required to process the arrest search request:

• The arrestee's first and last name
• The arrestee's date of birth
• Arrest date or location

A fee may apply if the requester seeks to reproduce a record.

Another way to obtain Garrett arrest information is to access it as part of comprehensive criminal records maintained by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. This department provides a fee-based service for retrieving statewide criminal history files.

Finally, individuals can turn to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to locate federal arrestees from Garrett County. The BOP provides an online inmate locator for such inquiries, but individuals can also communicate FOIA requests to the agency. Searches on the inmate locator can be performed using an individual's name or identification number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Garrett County

Individuals generally have two channels to access Garrett County arrest records without charge:

• Online: Parties can explore commercial websites that allow searches for arrest information at no cost. However, these sites may charge users to provide extensive information.
• On-site: A physical visit to an arresting agency may allow for record examination without related costs.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Until an expungement or sealing order is passed, an arrest remains permanently on a person's public records. Not everyone qualifies to have a court expunge or seal their arrest records in Garrett County, however.

Expunge Garrett County Arrest Records

Members of the public can expunge or shield their arrest records in Garrett County. Expungement enables the complete removal of a person's arrest, charge, or conviction records. In contrast, shielding makes such records inaccessible to the public, with access retained by criminal justice agencies for official processes.

Expungement is available mostly for arrests that did not reach the court sentencing phase and for certain minor misdemeanors. Arrests that resulted in a conviction may be eligible for shielding instead.

To initiate the expungement process, an eligible applicant (adult) must complete and file a petition specific to their situation. The Maryland Courts' website has a list of records eligible for expungement and the relevant legal provisions. The petition, fee (if applicable), and all other required documentation should be submitted to the court that heard the case.

Garrett County Arrest Warrants

A Garrett arrest warrant features an alleged offender's name, the issue date, the issuing court/jurisdiction, and the issuing magistrate's signature. Such documents are official commands from the court directing police officers to apprehend a person suspected of a criminal offense or someone who has disobeyed a court summons/order. The executing officer must also present the accused before the issuing or nearest magistrate.

Generally, arrest warrants are issued upon probable cause, after sufficient evidence or facts have been presented to a court demonstrating that an individual is implicated in a crime. Law enforcement agents are responsible for proving probable cause, and the court is charged with verifying that those facts or circumstances warrant an arrest.

Do Garrett County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Garrett County arrest warrants remain valid until executed. As there is no stated expiration date for these writs, peace officers may serve them at any time or anywhere the warrant subjects are discovered.