Wicomico County Arrest Records

In Wicomico County, Maryland, local law enforcement agencies, including the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, are statutorily empowered to arrest persons on suspicion of crime and detain them depending on the case circumstances. Arrested persons are kept in the Wicomico County Detention Center.

When a person is arrested, the law enforcement agency is to prepare an arrest record. Wicomico arrest records provide information about the arrested person and other information about the arrest. This includes the personal details of the arrestee, physical features, charge information, name of the holding facility, arresting officer and agency, bail and bond terms, nature of the crime committed, and location of the arrest.

Arrest records are crucial to the Wicomico Criminal Justice System and are usually contained within Wicomico County court records. The information documented in an arrest record can be the basis for a criminal court case.

Are Arrest Records Public in Wicomico County?

Yes. Under the Maryland Public Information Act, records prepared and kept by government agencies are considered public information and accessible to interested members of the public. Wicomico County arrest records are considered public information, and anyone can view or inspect them, subject to restrictions and limitations set by the law.

According to Maryland law, arrest records may be restricted if the record has been expunged or sealed. Also, access to arrest records may be denied if the information shall:

• jeopardize the life and safety of a person
• interfere with ongoing investigations and court proceedings
• compromise key witnesses or confidential sources
• prejudice right to a fair hearing of an individual

In addition, juvenile offender records, medical information, social security numbers, and bank information are not available for public access.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Wicomico arrest records may contain the following information:

• The arrestee’s personal information - name, date of birth, age, and address.
• Physical description - height, weight, race, and gender.
• Fingerprints and mugshots.
• Arrest and booking information - date, time, and location of arrest, arresting agency, and name of the booking officer(s).
• The reason for the arrest - Charges against the arrested person and the description, nature, and category of the charges.
• Bail and bond information (bond type, amount, bail or bond terms).
• Scheduled court dates (if any).

Wicomico County Crime Rate

The Maryland National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) provides crime statistics for all municipalities at the state level. According to the 2022 report, there were 611 reported crimes in Wicomico County, including 421 violent crimes and 190 property crimes. The violent crimes included three homicides, 14 sex offenses, 35 robberies, and 369 assaults. The property crimes reported were 37 burglaries, 126 larcenies, 25 motor vehicle thefts, and two arsons.

Wicomico County Arrest Statistics

According to NIBRS, in 2022, law enforcement made 622 arrests in relation to 418 violent crimes and 204 property crimes. The violent crime arrests included one homicide, 12 sex offenses, 38 robberies, and 367 assaults. The property crimes included 48 burglaries, 134 larcenies, 20 motor vehicle thefts, and two arsons.

Find Wicomico County Arrest Records

The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office provides an inmate search portal. Interested persons can use this portal to access arrest records and inmate information. It provides a list of inmates and their arrest information. This includes name, inmate ID, height, weight, gender, race, age, custody status, custody date, booking date, holding facility, and reporting agency.

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) maintains a central repository of inmate records in state detention facilities. To look up public inmate records of individuals in state facilities, use the DPSCS Inmate Locator and provide the first and last name of the inmate.

You can also access information on inmates in federal facilities. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides the BOP Inmate Locator. Records seekers can search this tool by name. It provides the inmate’s location, release date, and other relevant information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Wicomico County

Interested persons can access Wicomico arrest records and inmate information for free by using these official resources:

• The Wicomico inmate search portal
• MODOC offender search
• BOP Inmate Locator

Wicomico County arrest records are sometimes accessible through free third-party websites providing access to public records. These platforms offer a convenient way to search for information. However, users should be cautious while using these sites. The details they provide may not always be up-to-date or entirely accurate compared to those from official sources. To ensure the accuracy of the information, it is advisable to cross-check any data obtained from these sites with official records.

Though third-party websites can be useful for quick and general searches, they should not be relied upon as the primary source for comprehensive and reliable records. Using government-provided resources for the most accurate and complete information is always best.

Get Wicomico County Criminal Records

Wicomico County criminal records include details about a person’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentencing. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is the primary repository for maintaining public criminal records.

To obtain Wicomico criminal records, an applicant must first obtain the subject’s written consent and their Social Security Number, full name, and birth date. Next, the applicant must accompany the subject to an authorized fingerprinting service for live scanning. Once the fingerprints are taken, the applicant must submit them in person, by mail, or by Fax: ($18.00 for mail requests and $38.00 for in-person requests) the fingerprint card, completed request form (private entity or government agency), and payment for services to:

In-person:

Criminal Justice Information - Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 217
Baltimore, MD 21215

Mail:

Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708
Fax: (410) 653-6320

However, this fingerprint-based search method may not be widely accessible to the general public. Alternatively, applicants may request criminal court records from the clerk of courts in the jurisdiction where the trial occurred. This is a more accessible avenue for obtaining criminal records, as it does not rely on fingerprinting and may be available to the public upon request.

Wicomico County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

It is common to find people use criminal records and arrest records interchangeably. However, there are some notable differences between them. In Wicomico, an arrest record documents the arrest and detention of a person. It only gives information about the circumstances of the arrest. It is not definitive proof because the individual has yet to be found guilty in court.

On the other hand, a criminal record provides more information, including the arrest, details of the crime, charges filed, convictions, and sentence.

Overall, Wicomico criminal records provide more information than arrest records, including information on the outcome of the case and everything in between.At the same time,e an arrest record will only show the arrest information, which is not conclusive proof that the individual is guilty of the crime.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Under the Maryland Criminal Procedure Code, if you were arrested on or after 1 October 2007 and not charged with a crime, your arrest record may be automatically expunged within 60 days of your release from custody. If the arrest occurred before 1 October 2007, you may need to contact the local law enforcement agency that made the arrest to request that the record be cleared.

Expunge Wicomico County Arrest Records

Expungement in Wicomico County, Maryland, refers to the legal process of destroying or sealing an individual's arrest or criminal records, making them inaccessible to the public, employers, and background check agencies. However, expunged records may still be accessed by government agencies, law enforcement, the military, and other entities requiring a security clearance.

Below are examples of records that can be expunged:

• Nolle Prosequi: Charges that the prosecutor dropped.
• Stet: Cases that became inactive and had no action taken for more than three years.
• Probation Before Judgment (PBJ): Except for DUI charges, cases where no action was taken for more than three years.
• Release Without Charge (RWOC): Arrests where no charges were filed.
• Not Guilty Verdict: Cases where the individual was found not guilty.
• Case Dismissal or Acquittal: Where charges were dropped, or the individual was acquitted.
• Juvenile Transfer: Cases where an adult charge was transferred to juvenile court.
• Civil Citations: Minor offenses like open container violations.
• Marijuana Possession: After four years, for possession and related paraphernalia.
• Certain Misdemeanors: Eligible after a 10- or 15-year waiting period.
• Traffic Violations: If incarceration was a potential penalty.

Records that cannot be expunged include:

• If you received a PBJ and were later convicted of a new crime within three years of the PBJ, the PBJ case cannot be expunged unless the new conviction was for a minor traffic offense or an action that is no longer a crime.
• Records that are currently subject to pending criminal proceedings.
• Convictions during the waiting period.
• Cases affected by the “Unit Rule,” where multiple charges or cases from the same incident are ineligible for expungement.

To have your records expunged, you must have completed the waiting period. The waiting period differs based on the results of your case.

To file for expungement, you should first determine if you qualify and that the waiting period has been met. Fill out the applicable form and pay the filing fee below:

• Form CC-DC-CR-072A: This is for a case with a disposition of acquittal, dismissal, probation before judgment (PBJ), nolle prosequi, stet, or not criminally responsible. There is
• Form CC-DC-CR-072B or Form CC-DC-CR-072D: They are for eligible guilty dispositions, with a nonrefundable $30 filing fee. The filing fee is for each case. Persons who cannot afford the fee may request a waiver from the court.
• Form CC-DC-CR-072C: This is for cases where all the charges have a disposition of acquittal, not guilty, dismissal, or nolle prosequi, entered on 1 October 2021 or later. There is no filing fee. It should be noted that the court automatically expunges these cases after three years, but you can request expungement earlier than three years by using the form.

Once you submit your petition, the State’s Attorney has 30 days to object. If an objection is raised, a hearing will be scheduled. If the court orders your record to be expunged, the process can take up to one year. Law enforcement agencies have 60 days to comply and remove the records.

After expungement, confirm that your records have been cleared by performing an online case search or obtaining another Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) report. Always keep a copy of your court records and the expungement order.

Shielding or sealing is an alternative to expungement in Maryland. It hides the records from public view but does not destroy them. Shielding is granted only once a lifetime, requires a three-year wait after completing all sentences, and is limited to specific eligible convictions. The shielding request of eligible criminal records will be made at the Circuit or District Court, where the case is finished. The Maryland Attorney’s Office and victims have 30 days to object to a shielding request. After 30 days, the judge will deny or approve the shielding request.

Wicomico County Arrest Warrants

In Wicomico County, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by the court sanctioning the detention of a person. Arrest warrants in Wicomico County are issued when the investigating officer or prosecutor applies for the warrant and shows evidence and reason(s) that a warrant should be issued for the person’s arrest. The reason may be following evidence found during investigation or witness statements.

An arrest warrant in Wicomico County generally includes the following details:

• Subject’s Information: The name of the individual to be arrested, along with identifying details such as physical description, date of birth, and sometimes their last known address.
• Alleged Offense: A description of the crime or crimes the individual is accused of committing.
• Probable Cause Statement: An explanation of the evidence or circumstances that justify the warrant issuance.
• Judicial Authorization: The signature of the judge who approved the warrant, along with the date of issuance.
• Arrest Instructions: Directions to law enforcement on conducting the arrest, including any special conditions or limitations.
• Bail Information: If applicable, the warrant may specify whether bail has been set and the amount.

Once issued, the arrest warrant authorizes law enforcement officers to locate and arrest the individual named in the warrant. The arrest can occur at any location, but it must be carried out following legal procedures to protect the individual’s rights.

Wicomico County Arrest Warrant Search

You can contact the Civil Division of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office to find active arrest warrants in Wicomico County. They manage and provide information regarding active warrants in the county. You can visit the Sheriff’s Office in person or call to inquire about active warrants. The contact details are below:

401 Naylor Mill Road
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 548-4891

Do Wicomico County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Wicomico County, arrest warrants generally do not expire. Once issued, an arrest warrant remains active until the individual named in the warrant is apprehended or the warrant is formally resolved by the court.