Access Towson Criminal History Records
Towson criminal history records are maintained by Baltimore County agencies and the Maryland CJIS Central Repository. Towson is an unincorporated community that serves as the Baltimore County seat, which means the county courthouse and Baltimore County Police headquarters are located right here. Despite this central role, Towson has no city government of its own. All law enforcement is handled by Baltimore County Police, and official criminal history background checks go through CJIS at the state level. This page covers every source available for Towson criminal history.
Towson Overview
Towson Is in Baltimore County, Not Baltimore City
This is the most important thing to know before searching Towson criminal history records. Towson is in Baltimore County. Baltimore City is a separate, independent jurisdiction. They share a name, but their courts, police, and record systems are completely different. Many searches fail because people select the wrong jurisdiction.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search lets you choose a specific county or court. Always select Baltimore County when searching for Towson cases. The Baltimore County Circuit Court and District Court, both in Towson, handle all criminal matters for this area. Never select Baltimore City when searching for Towson cases.
Important: Towson is in Baltimore County, not Baltimore City. Selecting the wrong jurisdiction will produce no results or the wrong results.
State Criminal History Background Checks
For official criminal history checks covering Towson residents, you go through the Maryland CJIS Central Repository. This office is part of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). Baltimore County Police do not provide criminal history reports to the general public. CJIS is the only authorized source for official background checks in Maryland.
To request your own criminal history, submit Form 015, a fingerprint card, and the required payment. A state-only check costs $18. Combined state and FBI check costs $38 or more. Send everything to: CJIS Central Repository, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. The Help Desk answers questions at 1-888-795-0011 or 410-764-4501. Expect 10 to 15 business days for processing.
The DPSCS background check page has Form 015 and complete instructions. Fingerprinting locations near Towson are listed on the DPSCS fingerprinting page.
Maryland State Police resources complement CJIS for Towson criminal history searches and background verification.
Baltimore County Police Records
The Baltimore County Police Department headquarters is located in Towson. The Information and Records Management Unit handles all Maryland Public Information Act requests for police incident reports and related records. This makes Towson a convenient location for in-person requests from across Baltimore County.
| Address | 700 East Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286-5501 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-887-2214 or 410-887-2390 |
| bcopd@baltimorecountymd.gov | |
| Website | Request Police Reports - Baltimore County |
To request a report, complete the Police Report Request Form available on the Baltimore County Police website. Mail the completed form with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the address above. Crime and accident reports cost $15 each. Victims of crimes get their reports for free. Pay by check or money order made out to Baltimore County, Maryland. Allow about two weeks for processing. Active investigation files and records involving juvenile suspects are not released.
Baltimore County Circuit Court
The Baltimore County Circuit Court is located in Towson. This is where felony cases and serious criminal matters for all of Baltimore County are heard, including those involving Towson residents.
| Address | 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-887-2601 |
Court case records for Towson are searchable for free at the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Select Baltimore County as the jurisdiction. You can search by name, case number, or party type. Results show charges, court dates, and outcomes. This tool is free and open to the public, though it is not an official criminal history record. For official background checks, use CJIS.
Towson University Police
Towson University has its own campus police department. That department only covers incidents on university property. You can reach Towson University Police at 410-704-2133. If you need records for an incident that happened on the Towson University campus, contact the university police rather than Baltimore County Police. For everything else in Towson, use the Baltimore County Police Records Unit at 700 East Joppa Road.
Sex Offender Registry
The DPSCS maintains Maryland's public sex offender registry. It is free to search at the DPSCS Sex Offender Registry. You can search by name or by address to see registered offenders in Towson and the surrounding Baltimore County area. The registry includes current addresses, photos, and offense information and is updated on a regular basis.
Expungement in Baltimore County
Maryland allows expungement of certain criminal charges under specific conditions. Cases that ended in acquittal, dismissal, or were placed on the stet docket often qualify. Certain convictions may also be expungeable, depending on offense type and elapsed time since the case closed.
The Maryland People's Law Library expungement guide is a free resource explaining eligibility and the filing process. For Towson residents, expungement petitions go to the Baltimore County Circuit Court at 401 Bosley Avenue in Towson. The clerk's office can provide the petition forms. Getting legal help from a Maryland attorney is a good idea if your situation involves complications or multiple charges.
Nearby Maryland Cities
These communities near Towson also have criminal history record pages with local police and courthouse details.
Baltimore County Records
Towson is the county seat of Baltimore County. The county page has full courthouse details, agency contacts, and additional criminal history resources.