Harford County Arrest Records

Harford County arrests happen when law enforcement has reasonable cause to believe a suspect has committed a crime (Maryland Code Criminal Procedure § 2-202). Probable cause includes instances where an officer witnesses a crime or where sufficient evidence suggests a crime has occurred.

Arrestees are usually taken to the nearest police precinct or detention center for booking. The arrestee's personal details, mugshots, fingerprints, property inventory, and offense are documented during booking. This process generates several official documents, including an arrest record. Depending on the type of criminal case, the suspect may be released on bond or held at the Harford County Detention Center.

County police agencies create and maintain Harford County arrest records. These documents are used when starting criminal processes and contain information about a person's criminal background. As such, these files may be included in public files maintained by other local and state bodies. For example, arrest information may be accessible in Harford County Court Records and criminal history files managed by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Are Arrest Records Public in Harford County?

Yes. According to the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), Harford County arrest records are deemed public. The PIA affirms that all individuals can access information regarding government affairs and the official acts of public officials and employees. Moreover, G.P. § 4-201(a)(1) directs that a custodian shall allow a person or governmental unit to inspect any public record at any reasonable time, barring certain exceptions. This right to record inspection is granted to any person, meaning that individuals and entities alike can request access without demonstrating a specific interest or reason for their request.

However, despite this general right of access, the PIA includes several important exceptions that restrict the public disclosure of certain records. These exceptions are designed to protect personal privacy, maintain confidentiality, and comply with other legal obligations under the PIA:

• Criminal History Record Information: Section 10-219 of the Criminal Procedure Article restricts the dissemination of criminal history record information, meaning that not all details of an individual's arrest records are available for public viewing.
• Records about minors: Section 3-8A-27 of the Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article ensures that police and court records concerning minors are protected and not publicly disclosed.
• Inmates' Case Records: Section 3-602 of the Correctional Services Article safeguards inmates' case records, preventing them from being accessed without proper authorization.
• Confidential Medical Records: The Maryland Confidentiality of Medical Records Act restricts access to medical information in county arrest records, ensuring that these sensitive files remain confidential.
• Court-Ordered Sealed Records: Certain criminal investigation records, including those related to grand jury proceedings, are sealed under Maryland Rule 4-642.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public information accessible in a Harford County arrest record is as follows:

• Personal identifying information such as the name, age, gender, and address of the arrested individual.
• Arrest details such as the date, time, and location of the arrest, along with the arresting agency's name.
• A summary of the charges filed against the arrestee.
• Booking information such as the date and time of booking and any associated identification numbers.
• Bail or bond information(if applicable).
• Court Information: Details about the court where the individual is scheduled to appear, including the court appearance date.

Harford County Crime Rate

Maryland's Uniform Crime Reporting Program releases yearly crime statistics for Harford County. The total number of reported offenses for 2022 was 2,860:

The most common crimes were larceny-theft: 1,902 (66.5% of total county crimes), aggravated assault: 476 (16.6% of total county crimes), breaking or entering: 217 (7.6%), followed by motor vehicle theft: 118 (4.1%), rape: 73 (2.6%), robbery: 67 (2.3%), and murder: 7 (0.2%).

Harford County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI's UCR Program, Harford County law enforcement made 3,062 arrests in 2022. There were 1457 arrests for All Other Offenses (except traffic), 508 arrests for simple assault, 293 arrests for drug abuse violation, 269 arrests for driving under the influence, 132 arrests for aggravated assault, and 119 arrests for larceny-theft.

Find Harford County Arrest Records

Considering that most local police departments make the most arrests in Harford County, the arresting department should be the first call for individuals looking for arrestee information. For example, if the Harford County Sheriff's Office made the arrest, one should contact the office directly at:

45 South Main Street,
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 838-6600

Searchers may need to provide details such as the arrestee's first and last name, date of birth (if known), arrest date and location, the requester's contact information, and a valid government-issued I.D., especially when requesting nonpublic arrest records.

Alternatively, individuals can also access county arrestee information for pre- and post-arraignment detentions through a County Sheriff's Office-approved third-party website. Information about using this service is available on the County Detention Center's dedicated webpage.

For arrests made by state agencies, the local sheriff's office is still the primary resource for inquiring about an arrestee's status. Requesters should visit the office or call to make inquiries regarding sought information.

Federal arrests, such as those made by the FBI, usually result in the suspect being held in federal custody until arraignment. In such cases, individuals can use the Federal Inmate Locator to search for the inmate by name or number, revealing the holding facility. For arrests made by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Online Detainee Locator System can be used to locate a detainee. If the information is unavailable online, contacting a local ICE field office or a specific detention facility may be required.

Free Arrest Record Search in Harford County

In Harford County, members of the public can access arrest records through local police departments under the PIA. This law permits public access to public records, including arrest records, without charge. Upon request, police agencies will process these inquiries and provide the relevant information at no cost to the requester. However, if there is a need to reproduce a record on file, the agency may charge for the duplication service.

Additionally, a third-party resource is endorsed by the county sheriff, specifically available through the County Detention Center's section of the Sheriff's Office website. The service allows users to access information on detained arrestees free of charge. Interested individuals must only sign up on the platform to access the database. It streamlines the process of accessing county arrest records, making it convenient for the public to stay informed about individuals in county detention facilities. Users should visit the County Sheriff's Office's webpage for further details on utilizing the platform.

Get Harford County Criminal Records

Criminal records are comprehensive files that cover all matters involving an individual and the law. These documents reveal charges, trials, convictions, and sentencing, revealing all details of prosecuted cases.

The Criminal Justice Information System is Maryland's central repository for background checks. To obtain a criminal history record for Individual Background Checks (visas, Gold Seal Letters, or personal review), individuals living within the county must first obtain a fingerprint card at an authorized location:

CJIS MVA
501 West MacPhail Road
Bel Air, MD.

After obtaining the fingerprint card. This card, along with the associated fee, should be mailed to:

The Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708.

Alternatively, the card can be sent overnight to:

The CJIS Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road
Suite 217
Baltimore, MD 21215-2346.

The check mailed along with the card should be made payable to the "CJIS Central Repository". Once the fingerprint card is received, the central repository typically processes the request within 10-15 days. Applicants should note that fingerprint cards from other states or the Federal Bureau of Investigation are not accepted.

The process differs slightly for parties seeking employment or licensing within Harford County or Maryland. The employer or licensing agency must request the background check on behalf of the individual by obtaining the fingerprint card at an authorized location.

Additionally, it is crucial to have the authorization number from the employer or licensing agency available when submitting the request. For further questions or information, call the central repository at (410) 764-4501 or (888) 795-0011, or visit their Frequently Asked Questions page on background checks.

Harford County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Criminal records are extensive documents that cover all matters involving an individual and the law. These files reveal charges, trials, convictions, and sentencing, revealing all details of prosecuted cases. These files are maintained by the court and police, providing a complete profile of the offender's criminal activity.

In contrast, arrest records are mainly restricted to police information. These files comprise details such as the date of arrest, place of arrest, charges pressed, and the law enforcement agency involved. Arrest records are not an indication of guilt, nor do they document the complete legal process. Criminal records, however, show the entire judicial process, from arrest to verdict. Arrest records are considered part of criminal records; they highlight the arrests and charges against the accused but do not cover the entire legal proceedings that follow an arrest, as a criminal record does.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Per Maryland Criminal Procedure § 10-105, individuals who were detained but released without being charged will have their arrest records automatically expunged within 60 days of their release. However, suppose the individual was charged but had the charges dismissed, was found not guilty, or the case was settled with probation before judgment. In that case, an expungement is required to render such records inaccessible. The expungement request must be made within eight years of the arrest. Without expungement, the arrest will remain on record indefinitely, accessible to law enforcement, potential employers, and other authorized entities.

Expunge Harford County Arrest Records

Individuals interested in expunging arrest records in Harford County must meet certain eligibility requirement(s) per (Maryland Crim. Proc. § 10-105). Individuals who have been charged with a crime, including traffic violations that may result in imprisonment, can file for expungement if any of the following conditions apply:

• The individual was found not guilty.
• The State's Attorney decided not to prosecute (Nolle Prosequi).
• The court indefinitely postponed the case (stet).
• The case was compromised and settled.
• The case involved a juvenile waiver.

For arrestees released without being charged (RWOC), and did not have to appear in court:

• Complete the ITCD-70-RWOC form.
• Go to the police department that made the arrest.
• Request the necessary forms according to the department's procedures to remove the date of arrest and charges from the Criminal History Record.
• Submit the completed ITCD-70-RWOC form along with any other required documents as per the department's guidelines.

For other eligible parties:

• Fill out the Petition for Expungement of Police and Court Records Form DC/CR 72 and the General Waiver and Release Form DC/CR 78.
• Submit the completed forms to the court clerk where the case was concluded, and pay the non-refundable filing fee.

The expungement petition should include:

• The name is currently being used, and any aliases were used at the time of arrest.
• Current address (ensure all parties are notified of any address changes during the process to receive the Certificate of Compliance).
• Gender.
• Date of birth.
• Date of arrest.
• Case number and tracking number.
• Arresting agency.

Harford County Arrest Warrants

A Harford County arrest warrant is a judicial document authorizing law enforcement to arrest an individual (Maryland Code, Criminal Procedure § 4-212). These documents are typically issued under circumstances where law enforcement has credible evidence linking an individual to a crime but cannot apprehend them immediately. Maryland Code, Criminal Procedure § 4-212, details that a judge, after reviewing an application from law enforcement, may issue an arrest warrant if it is believed necessary to ensure the individual's appearance in court.

An arrest warrant contains information such as the individual's name, the offense they are accused of, the date of issuance, and the judge's signature. It also details the specific charges and may include directives on how the arrest should be conducted.

Harford County Arrest Warrant Search

To find active warrants in Harford County, researchers should contact the Harford County Sheriff's Office:

45 South Main Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 838-6600

Additionally, there is a section on the County Sheriff's Office website dedicated to the county's ten most wanted individuals. To access this information, researchers should:

• Visit the Harford County Sheriff's Office website.
• Hover over the "Wanted" tab.
• Select "10 Most Wanted" from the drop-down menu.

Do Harford County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Harford County arrest warrants do not expire but remain active until executed or recalled by the court. Variables such as the passage of time since issuance might affect arrest warrant validity and impact its enforceability due to changes in circumstances or evidence. If the accused person cannot be located or new evidence arises, the court may decide to recall or modify the warrant. The warrant's execution may also be influenced by jurisdictional issues, such as the suspect's location, requiring coordination between law enforcement agencies.