Search Prince George's County Criminal History

Prince George's County criminal history records are accessible through state and local agencies serving Maryland's second most populous county, which borders Washington, D.C. to the east. The Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro holds public case filings, while the CJIS Central Repository is the only source for a certified background check. The county also has specific local law governing what types of criminal history information can appear in official records contexts. This guide walks through each source, the fees, and where to direct your request.

Prince George's County Circuit Court Records

The Prince George's County Circuit Court is at 14735 Main Street, Room D1033, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. The main number is 301-952-3318. To reach the clerk directly, call 301-952-3768. Records Management is at 301-952-5214. The Criminal Division is 301-952-3344. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's page is at courts.state.md.us/clerks/princegeorges.

Court records are public in most circumstances. Search them for free on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. The system covers cases from 1989 forward and shows charges, court dates, and dispositions. Sealed and expunged records do not appear. Copy fees apply when you need paper documents. The first page costs $5 for regular copies. Each additional page is $0.50. Certified copies cost $5 per document. A name search fee of $7 per name applies when court staff conduct the search on your behalf.

Prince George's County Criminal History Background Checks

Certified criminal history background checks in Prince George's County go through DPSCS and the CJIS Central Repository. The state fee is $18 for a Maryland-only check. An FBI check adds more to the cost, bringing the total to $38 or higher. Processing runs 10 to 15 business days in most cases. Details and Form 015 are at the DPSCS background check page.

The image below shows the DPSCS fingerprinting services page, where Prince George's County residents can find authorized locations to get fingerprinted for background check submissions.

Fingerprinting is the first step in submitting a formal criminal history background check through the CJIS Central Repository.

Get fingerprinted on a Form 015 state card at an authorized location before mailing your request. Private vendors and some law enforcement offices offer this service. Mail the card and payment to CJIS-CR, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. Overnight delivery goes to 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. Call 1-888-795-0011 with status questions.

Sheriff and District Courts in Prince George's County

The Prince George's County Sheriff is at 5303 Chrysler Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Main number is 301-780-8600. The department's website is at princegeorgescountymd.gov. The Sheriff handles civil process service, courthouse security, and related law enforcement functions. Incident reports and law enforcement records go through the appropriate police department for the area where the event occurred.

Prince George's County has two District Courts. The Upper Marlboro District Court is at 301-298-4000. The Hyattsville District Court is at 301-298-4200. Both handle lower-level criminal matters and traffic cases. Records from both District Courts are searchable through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal.

Prince George's County Criminal Record Law

Prince George's County passed Bill CB-019-2024, a local ordinance that limits which types of criminal history information can be used in formal decisions within the county. Under this law, nonviolent felonies completed more than five years ago cannot be considered. Misdemeanors completed more than 30 months ago are off limits. Marijuana possession convictions, unless they involved intent to distribute, fall under the same rule. Arrests that did not result in a conviction are also excluded from consideration under the ordinance.

This law reflects a broader trend in Maryland toward limiting the reach of older criminal records in formal decisions. It does not change what appears in a CJIS criminal history file or in Circuit Court public records. The full ordinance is part of the Prince George's County Code.

Prince George's County Criminal Records Access

A CJIS criminal history record covers statewide activity. If someone was arrested in Upper Marlboro and later prosecuted in another county, both may show up. The report includes arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentencing details. It draws from all Maryland jurisdictions, not just Prince George's County.

For a quick free look at what is in the court system, use Maryland Judiciary Case Search. It is not a certified record and should not substitute for a CJIS check. Keep in mind that Case Search results can lag behind real court activity by a day or two. Expunged records will not appear anywhere in the public system once removal is complete.

Expungement in Prince George's County

Eligible individuals can petition to expunge certain criminal records under Maryland law. After a successful expungement, the record is removed from public court files and from the CJIS database. Dismissals, acquittals, and some completed probation cases may qualify. Most guilty verdicts are not eligible unless newer statutory provisions apply.

Petitions are filed at the Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro. The fee is $30. Courts may waive it in appropriate cases. Free guides are available through the People's Law Library and the Maryland courts clean record page.

Sex Offender Registry and Other Prince George's County Sources

The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is public and free to search. Go to dpscs.maryland.gov to find registered offenders in Prince George's County and across Maryland. The database shows names, current addresses, and offense details. It is maintained separately from the general criminal history system and does not require any fee or account to access.

The DPSCS main site at dpscs.maryland.gov is the best starting point for state-level records questions. The Maryland State Police at mdsp.maryland.gov can also assist. Court records help is available at courts.state.md.us.

Cities in Prince George's County

One city in Prince George's County meets the population threshold for an individual page on this site.

Other communities in Prince George's County include Laurel, College Park, Hyattsville, Greenbelt, and Lanham. All fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro.

Nearby Counties

Prince George's County borders Montgomery, Howard, Anne Arundel, Charles, and Calvert counties. Criminal records from neighboring areas may be relevant for individuals with ties to multiple jurisdictions.