Howard County Arrest Records

Howard County arrest records are official documents created by law enforcement agencies following the arrest of an individual. The following are reasons for an arrest in Howard County:

• An individual fails to comply with a court order.
• When there is probable cause to believe that a person has committed a crime.
• When an arrest warrant is issued.
• When a law enforcement officer witnesses a crime being committed.

Once arrested, inmates are typically held at the Howard County Detention Center, which houses those awaiting trial or serving sentences for minor offenses. The Howard County Police Department is responsible for generating arrest records in Howard County, though other local law enforcement agencies may also be involved, depending on the nature of the arrest.

Arrest records in Howard County are closely tied to other public records, particularly Howard County Court Records, which document the legal proceedings following an arrest. These records are essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in the Criminal Justice system and are often used in conjunction with criminal history files managed by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Are Arrest Records Public in Howard County?

Under the Maryland Public Information Act(MPIA), most arrest records in Howard County are considered public. This means that, in general, anyone can access basic information about an arrest, such as the arrested individual's name, the charges, and the date and location of the arrest. However, certain information may be exempt from public disclosure, particularly if it relates to ongoing investigations, the identities of minors or juveniles, or sensitive information regarding victims. Additionally, individuals seeking to access arrest records may need to meet eligibility requirements, especially if they request confidential or sealed records that are unavailable to the general public. The Maryland Code, General Provisions Title 4, outlines other public records access rules.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Howard County typically contain the following information:

• The full name and aliases of the arrested person.
• Date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Filed charges
• The arresting agency's details.
• Information about bail or bond.
• Mugshots if applicable.
• Court dates or detention details.

Howard County Arrest Statistics

The Maryland UCR program records an adult arrest of 117,377 persons and a juvenile arrest of 10,371 in 2020, a decrease of 28.6% from the 178,890. Based on the report, there were 2,109.5 arrests per 100,000 population in Maryland.

Find Howard County Arrest Records

Individuals can find arrest records in Howard County using state and federal systems.

• The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) provides criminal record checks which include arrest records through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS).
• The Howard County Detention Center also maintains an inmate Lookup service for those searching for current detainees.
• Additionally, nationwide Resources like the Federal Bureau of Prisons offer information on federal inmates.

Free Arrest Record Search in Howard County

Free resources are available for those searching for arrest records in Howard County. The Howard County Sheriff's Office and the Howard County Police Department provide limited access to arrest records through official websites. These resources allow users to search for arrest information based on an individual's name or date of arrest. While these resources are free, they may just provide overly comprehensive records. Third-party websites also offer free searches, but users must review the website for credibility.

Howard County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest and criminal records in Howard County serve different purposes and contain distinct types of information. An arrest record indicates someone was taken into custody, but it does not necessarily confirm a conviction. Conversely, a criminal record includes the legal history of a person's encounter with the law, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentencing. Criminal records are more comprehensive and are often used for background checks, while arrest records primarily focus on the initial arrest event.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Maryland, arrests remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless they are expunged or sealed by a court. Arrests that do not lead to a conviction may still appear on background checks unless removed through legal processes. Maryland law under Criminal Procedure §10-105 allows individuals to request expungement under certain conditions.

Expunge Howard County Arrest Records

Under Maryland Criminal Procedure §10-105, Arrest records in Howard County May be expunged if the individual is eligible under Maryland law. Expungement refers to the removal or sealing of arrest information from public view, making it inaccessible to most background checks. Individuals may qualify for expungement if their charges were dismissed, they were acquitted, or if the case was otherwise resolved in their favor. The process involves filing a petition with the Howard County Circuit Court and demonstrating eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements

Under Maryland law, individuals may qualify for expungement in the following circumstances.

• If charges resulted in acquittal, dismissal, nolle porsequi(not prosecuted) or if the person received probation before judgment (PBj) for certain offenses.
• Minor misdemeanors like public nuisance and loitering can be expunged.
• Non violent offenses can be expunged after a waiting period of 10-15 years depending on the offense provided no new convictions occur during this time.
• Expungement may be denied if there are other pending criminal charges against the applicant.
• Howard County, Maryland, requires a waiting period before an individual can apply for expungement. This can range from immediate eligibility for nolle porsequi or acquitted charges to years for other dismissed cases and up to 15 years for certain Misdemeanors and Felonies.

Expungement Processes.

The expungement process in Howard County typically involves the following steps:

• The individual files a petition for expungement of records with the district or Circuit Court in Howard County, depending on where the case was heard. The petition must include all case details, the specific charges, and the outcome.
• Then, pay the filing fee unless the case qualifies for a waiver, as in the case of acquittal or dismissal.
• The state Attorney's office and relevant law enforcement have 30 days to review and object to the expungement. If there is no objection, the court will grant the expungement without a hearing.
• If there is an object from the State Attorney's Office, a hearing will be scheduled where the petitioner argues his case. The judge then decides whether to grant the expungement or not.
• If the judge grants the expungement, all agencies, including law enforcement and court databases will be served an order of expungement which will instruct them to remove the records from public access.

Notes.

• Acquittals, Dismissals, and nolle porsequi charges(after 3 years) are automatically expunged without following the above processes.
• Maryland's Shielding law allows certain non-violent misdemeanors to be hidden from public view rather than completely expunged.

Howard County Arrest Warrants

Per Maryland Criminal Procedure Article § 2-202 to § 2-205, an arrest warrant is a legal order issued by a judge or magistrate in Howard County authorizing law enforcement officers to take a person into custody. Arrest warrants are typically issued when there is probable reason to believe that an individual has committed a crime. They are also issued if a person fails to appear in court or violates the terms of their probation. An arrest warrant contains key information such as:

• The name of the person to be arrested
• The charges they are facing
• The date of issuance
• The signature of the issuing authority
• Instructions for law enforcement officers

Arrest warrants remain valid until the individual is taken into custody or the warrant is resolved in court.

Do Howard County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Howard County, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, a warrant remains in effect until the person named in the warrant is arrested or the court withdraws the warrant. However, circumstances such as the statute of limitations or a change in the charges can impact the enforceability of an arrest warrant.