Somerset County Criminal History

Somerset County criminal history records are managed by county and state agencies on Maryland's Southern Eastern Shore, near the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland CJIS Central Repository is the proper source for certified background checks. The Somerset County Circuit Court in Princess Anne holds public case filings, and the Sheriff's Office provides fingerprinting services and processes law enforcement records. This page covers how to get each type of record, what to expect in terms of fees, and which office to contact.

Somerset County Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Somerset County Circuit Court is at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853. Phone is 410-845-4850. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's page is at mdcourts.gov/clerks/somerset. The court handles felonies, serious misdemeanors, and civil cases for all of Somerset County.

Most court records are public. You can search them online for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. It covers cases from 1989 forward and shows charges, dispositions, and court dates. Records that have been sealed or expunged do not appear. Copies cost $0.50 per page. For mail requests, include the case number, full name, and filing year along with a check or money order for copy fees.

The Court Clerk does not perform criminal record checks. Those requests must go to CJIS or the Maryland State Police. The clerk's staff can help with questions about case filings but cannot run background searches.

Shown here is the Maryland Sex Offender Registry maintained by DPSCS, a public database relevant to Somerset County and the surrounding region.

The registry is free to search and covers registered offenders in Somerset County and all of Maryland.

CJIS Background Checks in Somerset County

Certified criminal history background checks must go through DPSCS and the CJIS Central Repository. There is no county-level alternative. The state fee is $18 for a Maryland-only check. Adding an FBI check raises the total to $38 or more. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days.

Fingerprinting is required before a background check can be processed. The Somerset County Sheriff's Office provides ink fingerprinting services for background checks. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. After fingerprinting on a Form 015 state card, mail the card and payment to CJIS-CR, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. Overnight submissions go to 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. Call 1-888-795-0011 with questions. Full details are on the DPSCS background check page.

Somerset County Sheriff's Office

The Somerset County Sheriff is at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853. Phone is 410-651-9225. Fax is 410-651-0411. The Sheriff's Office is co-located with the Circuit Court in the same building. This office handles law enforcement for unincorporated parts of the county and provides ink fingerprinting services for background check submissions.

Related county agencies include the District Court at 410-845-4700, the Parole and Probation office at 410-651-2211, the Public Defender at 410-651-3271, and the State's Attorney at 410-651-3333. These offices handle different aspects of the criminal justice process and may hold records relevant to specific matters.

Somerset County Criminal History Record Contents

A CJIS criminal history record is statewide and not limited to Somerset County. If someone was charged in Princess Anne and later had a case in another county, both entries may appear. The report covers arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentencing information where recorded. It draws from all Maryland jurisdictions.

Court records from the Circuit or District Court are more specific. They cover only filings in those courts. Maryland Judiciary Case Search is a free way to preview what is publicly available before requesting paper copies. Case Search results are not certified and should not substitute for an official CJIS background check. Expunged records are removed from both the public system and CJIS after the process is complete.

Expungement in Somerset County

Maryland law allows eligible individuals to petition for expungement of certain criminal records. Once granted, the record is removed from both court files and the CJIS database. Arrests not resulting in conviction, dismissals, and acquittals are often eligible. Completed probation matters may also qualify. Most convictions are not eligible unless the offense falls under specific newer provisions in Maryland law.

Petitions are filed at the Circuit Court in Princess Anne. The filing cost is $30. Free expungement guides are available through the People's Law Library and the Maryland courts clean record page. Legal aid may be available for low-income residents.

Additional Somerset County Resources

The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is public and free. Search it at dpscs.maryland.gov for registered offenders in Somerset County and across the state. No payment or account is needed. Results include names, addresses, and offense details. The registry is maintained by DPSCS and is updated on an ongoing basis.

For broader records questions, start at dpscs.maryland.gov. The Maryland State Police at mdsp.maryland.gov can also help with certain records. Court records and legal help are at courts.state.md.us.

Cities in Somerset County

No cities in Somerset County meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site.

Communities in Somerset County include Princess Anne, Crisfield, Deal Island, and Eden. All are served by the Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office in Princess Anne.

Nearby Counties

Somerset County borders Wicomico and Worcester counties on the Eastern Shore. Records from those areas may be relevant for individuals with ties to multiple jurisdictions.