Worcester County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Worcester County
Arrest records in Worcester County, Maryland are considered public records under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified in § 4-101 through § 4-601 of the General Provisions Article. This statute establishes the public's right to access government records, including those related to arrests, with certain exceptions and limitations.
The Maryland Public Information Act operates under the presumption that citizens have a right to information about government operations. According to § 4-103, "all persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." However, this right is balanced against privacy concerns and law enforcement interests.
It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records:
- Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. These records exist regardless of whether charges were filed or the person was convicted.
- Conviction records document that an individual was found guilty of a crime through a court proceeding.
Under Maryland law, both arrest and conviction records are generally accessible to the public, though arrest records may be subject to more restrictions, particularly if the arrest did not lead to charges or conviction. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services maintains the central repository of criminal history record information for the state.
Worcester County law enforcement agencies follow state guidelines regarding the release of arrest information. The Worcester County Sheriff's Office and other local police departments maintain arrest records that may be accessed through formal requests, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy.
What's in Worcester County Arrest Records
Worcester County arrest records contain standardized information documenting an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (first, middle, last)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
- Home address
- Photo/mugshot
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Reason for arrest
- Whether force was used during arrest
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
- Charge codes and statutory references
- Description of alleged criminal activity
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking number/case number
- Fingerprints
- Personal property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Whether bail was posted
- Conditions of release
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Scheduled court appearances
- Case number
Custody Status:
- Whether detained or released
- Current location if in custody
- Release date if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior criminal history
- Known aliases
- Immigration status
- Emergency contact information
- Medical information relevant to custody
- Vehicle information (if vehicle was involved)
The specific content of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the circumstances of the arrest. Some information may be redacted from public versions of these records in accordance with § 4-301 through § 4-355 of the Maryland Public Information Act, which outlines exceptions for certain types of information.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Worcester County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Worcester County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The process typically involves submitting a formal request to the appropriate agency that maintains the desired records. Currently, the following procedures apply:
- Identify the correct agency: Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest. This could be:
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
1 W. Market Street, Room 1001
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-1111
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
Ocean City Police Department
6501 Coastal Highway
Ocean City, MD 21842
410-723-6610
Ocean City Police Department
Maryland State Police - Berlin Barrack
9758 Ocean Gateway
Berlin, MD 21811
410-641-3101
Maryland State Police
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Submit a Public Information Act request: Prepare a written request citing the Maryland Public Information Act. The request should:
- Be addressed to the custodian of records at the appropriate agency
- Include specific information about the record sought (name of arrestee, date of arrest, case number if known)
- Provide requestor contact information
- State preferred format for receiving records
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Pay applicable fees: Agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching, preparing, and reproducing records as permitted under § 4-206 of the General Provisions Article. Fee schedules are typically available upon request.
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Provide identification: For in-person requests, government-issued photo identification is typically required.
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Allow processing time: Agencies must respond to requests within 30 days under state law, though simple requests may be fulfilled more quickly.
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Review response: The agency will either provide the requested records, deny the request with a written explanation citing applicable exemptions, or request additional time to respond.
For county-wide arrest information, the Worcester County Circuit Court may also maintain records related to arrests that resulted in court cases:
Worcester County Circuit Court
1 W. Market Street, Room 104
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-5500
Worcester County Circuit Court
Pursuant to Maryland law, certain arrest information may be withheld if disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, deprive a person of a fair trial, constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or meet other exemption criteria outlined in § 4-301 through § 4-355 of the General Provisions Article.
How To Find Worcester County Arrest Records Online
Worcester County residents and interested parties may access certain arrest record information through various online platforms maintained by state and local agencies. The following digital resources are currently available:
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Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This statewide database provides information on court cases, including criminal matters resulting from arrests.
- Visit the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Select "Worcester County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Search by name, case number, or other identifiers
- Review case information, including charges, hearing dates, and disposition
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Worcester County Sheriff's Office Website: The Sheriff's Office maintains limited online information about recent arrests and inmates.
- Navigate to the Worcester County Sheriff's Office website
- Look for sections labeled "Recent Arrests," "Press Releases," or "Inmate Information"
- Information is typically limited to significant cases or current inmates
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Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services: For individuals who were incarcerated following arrest, custody information may be available.
- Access the Maryland Inmate Locator
- Enter the individual's name or identification number
- Review basic custody information if the person is or was in state custody
-
Ocean City Police Department Press Releases: For arrests made within Ocean City limits, the police department often publishes information about significant arrests.
- Visit the Ocean City Police Department website
- Navigate to the "News" or "Press Releases" section
- Review published information about notable arrests
Users should note that online records may be incomplete or limited in scope compared to official records obtained directly from the agencies. Pursuant to § 4-333 of the Maryland Public Information Act, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy or sensitive information.
For comprehensive arrest record information, a formal Public Information Act request to the appropriate agency remains the most reliable method. Online resources should be considered supplementary to, rather than replacements for, official record requests.
How To Search Worcester County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options to access Worcester County arrest records without incurring fees, though some methods may provide more limited information than paid services. The following free resources are currently available:
- In-person inspection at law enforcement agencies: Under the Maryland Public Information Act § 4-206(a), individuals have the right to inspect public records without charge during normal business hours. This applies to:
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
1 W. Market Street, Room 1001
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-1111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
-
Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This free online database provides information about court cases, including criminal matters resulting from arrests.
- Access Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- No account creation or fees required
- Search by name, case number, or other identifiers
- Review case information, including charges and court dates
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Public library access: Worcester County libraries offer free internet access where patrons can utilize online resources.
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch
307 N. Washington Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-3495
Worcester County Library
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Law enforcement agency websites: Both the Worcester County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments often publish information about significant arrests in press releases or news sections of their websites at no cost.
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Court clerk's office: The Worcester County Circuit Court and District Court clerk's offices allow free inspection of public case files that may contain arrest information.
Worcester County District Court
301 Commerce Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-219-7830
Maryland District Court
While these methods provide free access to certain arrest records, requestors should be aware of the following limitations:
- In-person inspection may require scheduling an appointment
- Not all arrest records result in court cases that would appear in Judiciary Case Search
- Agency websites typically only publish information about notable arrests
- Some information may be redacted from publicly available records
- Records may not be comprehensive or may lack details available in full reports
Pursuant to § 4-206(b) of the Maryland Public Information Act, while inspection is free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records or for search and preparation time exceeding two hours. Individuals seeking extensive records or copies should inquire about potential fees before proceeding with their request.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Worcester County
Worcester County residents with arrest records have limited options for removing this information from public access. Maryland law provides specific mechanisms for either expungement (legal erasure) or shielding (restricting public access) of arrest records under certain circumstances.
Expungement vs. Shielding:
- Expungement results in the physical destruction or removal of records from public inspection
- Shielding maintains the records but limits who can access them, removing them from public view
Eligibility for Expungement:
Under Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 10-105, arrest records may be eligible for expungement in the following circumstances:
- The arrest did not result in charges (must wait 3 years unless a waiver is obtained)
- The charges were dismissed
- The defendant was acquitted (found not guilty)
- The case resulted in probation before judgment (except for certain violations)
- The case was placed on the stet docket (inactive docket)
- The case was resolved through a nolle prosequi (prosecutor's decision not to pursue)
- The conviction was for certain nuisance crimes
- The conviction was for possession of marijuana under § 5-601 of the Criminal Law Article
- The conviction was pardoned by the Governor
Shielding of Records:
Under Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 10-301, certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions may be eligible for shielding after a waiting period, typically 3 years after completion of the sentence.
Steps to Request Expungement:
- Obtain a copy of court records related to the arrest from:
Worcester County Circuit Court
1 W. Market Street, Room 104
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-5500
Worcester County Circuit Court
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Complete the appropriate petition form:
- For District Court cases: Form CC-DC-CR-072A
- For Circuit Court cases: Form CC-DC-CR-072B
- For arrests without charges: Form CC-DC-CR-072C
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File the petition with the appropriate court:
- For cases that went to court: File with the court where the case was handled
- For arrests without charges: File with the District Court in Worcester County
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Pay the filing fee (currently $30 per case, though fee waivers may be available)
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Serve a copy of the petition on the State's Attorney's Office:
Worcester County State's Attorney's Office
106 Franklin Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-2166
Worcester County State's Attorney
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Attend any scheduled hearing if the State's Attorney objects to the petition
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If granted, the court will issue an Order for Expungement to all relevant agencies
Individuals seeking expungement or shielding may benefit from legal assistance. The Maryland Legal Aid or the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service may provide guidance to eligible individuals.
The expungement process typically takes 90 days from filing if there are no objections. Successful expungement removes records from public databases, though certain government agencies may retain access to expunged records for specific purposes under § 10-108 of the Criminal Procedure Article.
What Happens After Arrest in Worcester County?
Following an arrest in Worcester County, individuals enter a standardized criminal justice process governed by Maryland state law and local procedures. This process typically progresses through several distinct phases:
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Booking and Initial Processing
- The arrestee is transported to a local detention facility
- Personal information is recorded and verified
- Fingerprints and photographs (mugshots) are taken
- Personal property is inventoried and secured
- Medical screening may be conducted
- The arrestee is placed in a holding cell pending initial appearance
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Initial Appearance Before a Commissioner
- Occurs within 24 hours of arrest
- Commissioner informs the arrestee of charges and potential penalties
- Preliminary determination of eligibility for pretrial release
- Bail or release conditions may be set
- If eligible, the arrestee may be released pending trial
- If not released, the arrestee remains in custody at:
Worcester County Detention Center
5022 Joyner Road
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-1300
Worcester County Detention Center
-
Bail Review Hearing
- For detained individuals, a bail review hearing occurs before a judge
- Typically held within 24-48 hours after the initial appearance
- Judge reviews commissioner's bail determination
- Defense attorney may argue for reduced bail or release
- Prosecutor may argue for maintained or increased bail
- Judge makes final pretrial release decision
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Preliminary Hearing (Felony Cases Only)
- Held within 10 days if the defendant remains in custody, or within 30 days if released
- Determines if probable cause exists to believe the defendant committed the alleged crime
- If probable cause is found, the case proceeds to Circuit Court
- If no probable cause is found, charges may be dismissed
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Formal Charging
- For misdemeanors: Statement of charges filed by law enforcement
- For felonies: Grand jury indictment or criminal information filed by prosecutor
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Arraignment
- Formal reading of charges in court
- Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere)
- Trial date is typically set
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Pretrial Motions and Discovery
- Defense may file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges
- Prosecution must disclose evidence to defense
- Plea negotiations may occur during this phase
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Trial
- Misdemeanor trials typically held in District Court:
Worcester County District Court
301 Commerce Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-219-7830
Maryland District Court
- Felony trials held in Circuit Court:
Worcester County Circuit Court
1 W. Market Street, Room 104
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-5500
Worcester County Circuit Court
- Defendant may choose bench trial (judge only) or jury trial
- Prosecution presents evidence and witnesses
- Defense may present evidence and witnesses
- Verdict is rendered (guilty or not guilty)
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Sentencing (If Convicted)
- May occur immediately after verdict or at later date
- Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Victim impact statements may be presented
- Judge imposes sentence according to Maryland sentencing guidelines
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Post-Conviction
- Right to appeal within 30 days of sentencing
- Possibility of probation, incarceration, or alternative sentencing
- Payment of fines, restitution, and court costs
Throughout this process, defendants have constitutional rights including the right to counsel, right to remain silent, right to confront witnesses, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and Maryland Declaration of Rights Article 21.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Worcester County?
Arrest records in Worcester County are maintained according to the Maryland State Archives Records Retention Schedule and relevant state laws governing law enforcement records. The retention periods vary based on the type of record, the outcome of the case, and the agency maintaining the records.
Under Maryland Code, State Government Article § 9-1015, the Maryland State Archives establishes retention schedules for government records, including those related to arrests. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods, though agencies may retain records longer than required.
Standard Retention Periods:
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Arrest Reports and Booking Information:
- Felony arrests resulting in conviction: Permanent retention
- Felony arrests not resulting in conviction: Minimum 10 years
- Misdemeanor arrests resulting in conviction: Minimum 5 years
- Misdemeanor arrests not resulting in conviction: Minimum 3 years
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Fingerprint Records:
- Maintained permanently by the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) unless expunged
- Local copies may be destroyed after verification of CJIS receipt
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Mugshots/Photographs:
- Felony arrests: Minimum 10 years
- Misdemeanor arrests: Minimum 3 years
- May be retained longer for cases of special significance
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Investigation Reports:
- Homicide cases: Permanent retention
- Other felony investigations: Minimum 10 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor investigations: Minimum 3 years after case closure
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Juvenile Arrest Records:
- Generally sealed at age 18 unless the case was transferred to adult court
- May be expunged under specific circumstances outlined in § 3-8A-27 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article
Different agencies maintain different components of arrest records:
- The Worcester County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments maintain original arrest reports
- The Worcester County Detention Center maintains booking records
- The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services maintains the central repository of criminal history information
- The Worcester County Circuit Court and District Court maintain court records related to arrests
Records retention serves several important purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential appeals or post-conviction proceedings
- Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
- Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Provides statistical data for crime analysis and policy development
It is important to note that expungement, when granted by a court under § 10-105 of the Criminal Procedure Article, supersedes standard retention schedules and requires the destruction or removal of records regardless of the normal retention period.
How to Find Mugshots in Worcester County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken by law enforcement during the booking process following an arrest. These photographs typically include front-facing and profile (side) views of the arrestee and are used for identification purposes within the criminal justice system.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In Worcester County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:
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The arresting law enforcement agency:
- Worcester County Sheriff's Office
- Ocean City Police Department
- Pocomoke City Police Department
- Berlin Police Department
- Maryland State Police - Berlin Barrack
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The Worcester County Detention Center, which processes and books arrestees:
Worcester County Detention Center
5022 Joyner Road
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-1300
Worcester County Detention Center
- The Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), which maintains a central repository of criminal history information, including mugshots.
Finding Mugshots
Obtaining mugshots in Worcester County requires following specific procedures:
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Submit a Public Information Act request to the agency that made the arrest or to the detention center. The request should:
- Be in writing
- Identify the specific individual (full name and date of birth if possible)
- Specify the date of arrest if known
- State that you are seeking the booking photograph
- Include your contact information
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Pay applicable fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for reproduction of photographs as permitted under § 4-206 of the General Provisions Article.
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Provide justification if requested. Some agencies may ask for the purpose of the request, though this is not strictly required under the Public Information Act.
Can Mugshots Be Found Online?
Unlike some jurisdictions, Worcester County law enforcement agencies do not typically publish comprehensive databases of mugshots online. Limited availability includes:
- Press releases about significant arrests on agency websites may include mugshots
- The Worcester County Sheriff's Office occasionally posts mugshots of wanted individuals
- Third-party websites may aggregate mugshots from various sources, though these are not official and may contain outdated or inaccurate information
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
The most reliable method to obtain an official mugshot is through a formal Public Information Act request to:
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
1 W. Market Street, Room 1001
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-1111
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots may be restricted under certain circumstances:
- Juvenile arrestees (under 18): Mugshots are generally not released to the public
- Ongoing investigations: Photographs may be withheld if release would interfere with an investigation
- Expunged records: If a case has been expunged under § 10-105 of the Criminal Procedure Article, the mugshot should no longer be accessible
- Privacy considerations: Agencies may redact or withhold mugshots if release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under § 4-351 of the General Provisions Article
The Maryland Public Information Act balances the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and law enforcement needs. While mugshots are generally considered public records, their release is subject to these balancing considerations.