St. Mary's County Criminal History Records
St. Mary's County criminal history records are available through state and county agencies in southern Maryland, along the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland CJIS Central Repository handles certified background checks for the entire state, including St. Mary's County. The Circuit Court in Leonardtown holds public criminal case filings, and the Sheriff's Office processes public records requests under the Maryland Public Information Act. This guide covers the fees, contacts, and steps for each type of request.
St. Mary's County Overview
St. Mary's County Circuit Court Records
The St. Mary's County Circuit Court is at 41605 Courthouse Drive, P.O. Box 676, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Phone is 301-475-7844. The clerk's page is at courts.state.md.us/clerks/stmarys. The court handles felonies, serious misdemeanors, and civil matters for the county. Most court records are public and searchable online.
Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal to look up cases at no cost. This system goes back to 1989 and shows charges, court dates, and case dispositions. Sealed and expunged records do not appear. Copies of documents 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.
Below is the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, the primary law enforcement and records agency serving this southern Maryland county.
The Sheriff's Office handles public records requests through a dedicated online portal for St. Mary's County.
CJIS Background Checks in St. Mary's County
A certified criminal history check in St. Mary's County goes through DPSCS and the CJIS Central Repository. The state-only fee is $18. Adding an FBI check raises the total to $38 or more. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days. The DPSCS background check page has full instructions and a downloadable Form 015.
Fingerprinting must be done before mailing a request. Get fingerprinted on a Form 015 state card at an authorized location. The DPSCS fingerprinting page lists providers. After fingerprinting, send 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. Questions? Call 1-888-795-0011.
St. Mary's County Sheriff Records and PIA Requests
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is at 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Main number is 301-475-8008. The Records Division direct line is 301-475-4200 ext. 1910. Website is at firstsheriff.com.
Records requests can be submitted online through the NextRequest portal at stmaryscountysheriffmd.nextrequest.com. A MPIA form is available through the portal or can be mailed to the office. Processing follows the Maryland Public Information Act timeline, with notification within 10 working days and delivery within 30 days.
Fees apply for several record types. A criminal history check from the Sheriff's Office costs $25. Photocopies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an additional charge. These fees are separate from any CJIS background check fees. Payment method should be confirmed when the request is submitted.
St. Mary's County Criminal History Record Contents
A CJIS criminal history record covers all Maryland jurisdictions, not just St. Mary's County. An arrest in Leonardtown and a separate case filed elsewhere may both appear on the same report. The record includes case numbers, charges, court dispositions, and sentencing data. It is the only source for a certified, official background check.
Court case records from the Circuit and District Courts are narrower. They only cover what was filed in those specific courts. Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search to preview what is available online before requesting copies. Case Search is not an official background check and should not be treated as one.
Note: Expunged records are removed from public court files and CJIS records after processing and will not appear in public searches.
Expungement in St. Mary's County
Maryland law allows certain records to be expunged. After a successful petition, the record is removed from court files and CJIS. Eligible cases typically include arrests not resulting in conviction, dismissed charges, and acquittals. Some completed probation matters may also qualify. Most guilty verdicts are not eligible unless newer provisions apply.
File the petition at the Circuit Court in Leonardtown. The cost is $30. The fee may be waived in some circumstances. Guidance is available through the People's Law Library and the Maryland courts clean record page. The District Court at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive (301-880-2700) handles lower-level criminal matters and misdemeanors in St. Mary's County.
Sex Offender Registry and Additional Resources
Maryland's Sex Offender Registry is free to search at dpscs.maryland.gov. It covers registered offenders in St. Mary's County and statewide. No fee or account is required. Results show names, current addresses, and offense details. The registry is maintained by DPSCS and updated regularly.
For broader records needs, the DPSCS main site at dpscs.maryland.gov is a solid starting point. The Maryland State Police at mdsp.maryland.gov handles certain records as well. Court records help is at courts.state.md.us.
Cities in St. Mary's County
No cities in St. Mary's County meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site.
Communities in St. Mary's County include Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Mechanicsville, and Hollywood. All fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office in Leonardtown.
Nearby Counties
St. Mary's County borders Charles and Calvert counties in southern Maryland. Criminal records from those areas may be useful if a person has ties to more than one jurisdiction.