Maryland Criminal Judiciary Case Search
If you’re looking to find records for a criminal case in Maryland, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search is probably the tool you need. This records search allows you to look up your own case or another case to see its progress and recent actions taken in the case. These records are public, but some information might be restricted from the public record if it is sensitive or placed under seal by a judge.
These records are helpful in two major ways for defendants in criminal cases: first, they let you track the progress of your case so you can see what stage you’re in when you call your Maryland criminal defense lawyer, and second, they let you see what charges and cases will appear on your record when someone runs a background search. If you have charges that you think should not appear on a background check and you need help with expungement, call our law offices today. Otherwise, our Baltimore criminal defense attorneys can help you with your criminal charges and work to fight the case against you and keep your record clean. Either way, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291 for a free legal consultation.
Overview of the Maryland Judiciary Case Search System
As previously mentioned, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system is an invaluable online resource that provides access to legal records within the state of Maryland. This comprehensive database is hosted on the Maryland State Courts website and allows individuals to search for a wide range of case information. It covers various types of cases, including criminal, civil, traffic, and civil citation cases, encompassing multiple court levels within the state. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is a user-friendly platform that requires minimal information for conducting searches, primarily relying on the defendant’s name, and it also offers advanced search options to tailor results to specific needs.
How to Look Up a Criminal Case in Maryland
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search (MDJCS) system is accessible on the Maryland State Courts website. Before you can use the case search, there is a disclaimer that explains where the information comes from, how old the information is, how reliable the information on the record is, and what to do if the information is inaccurate. It also says explicitly that this information should not be used for criminal background checks – but that does not always mean that employers and others will listen to that instruction.
Once you click through to continue to the search system, you will be greeted with a form asking for information on the defendant you are looking up a case for. This system has information on criminal, civil, traffic, and civil citation cases at multiple court levels. If you’re not sure which court your case is in (the District Court or Circuit Court), or you aren’t sure if the case is a criminal case or civil citation case, you can leave these search parameters as-is to search both court levels and all case types.
This system doesn’t need too much information for you to get started. Unlike many court systems, you can search Maryland’s records by using just a name. If you know the county the charges were filed in or have a general date range for when the case was filed, you can narrow the search.
Lastly, the bottom portion of the form allows you to search by case number. If you know the number for your case, you can pull up the records more quickly. Your Baltimore criminal defense attorney will typically ask for this information, if you have it, so that they can find your records quickly.
If you are looking for information on a criminal or civil case involving a company instead of a person, there is an option to switch the form to a company search instead of a person search.
What to Do with Pending Criminal Charges
If you have a criminal case, traffic ticket case, or civil citation case pending against you, you should call an attorney. A records search can show you what cases are pending against you – but if you find cases on there that you didn’t know about, you should contact a Essex criminal defense lawyer right away.
If there is a case against you in the courts and you didn’t know about it, it is likely there is also a bench warrant for your arrest. If you failed to appear at a court date, the judge might issue a bench warrant for you. A police officer who comes across you for another issue (e.g., a traffic stop) might be able to arrest you and take you to court to face the charges against you. This might mean sitting in jail while you await trial. In these circumstances, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to get the bench warrant taken care of before you get arrested.
If there are records of charges against you, you may also need to fight those charges in court. Our Frederick criminal defense attorneys can represent you throughout your case and fight to get charges dropped and dismissed. Our lawyers work to challenge the evidence in your case, potentially making it impossible for the police and prosecutors to prove the charges. We also work to negotiate charges with the prosecution, potentially getting some of the charges dropped before trial or negotiating plea deals that might help you avoid conviction of serious offenses or might help keep you out of jail.
Getting Criminal Records Expunged
If your records search turns up old cases, you may be able to file for expungement. Many old charges no longer reflect who you are today, and keeping a public record of those charges can be bad for you when applying for jobs, loans, or other benefits. These records can be “sealed” or “expunged” in many cases, deleting the records from public listings.
Talk to an Easton criminal defense lawyer about whether you qualify for expungement in your criminal case. Many criminal charges require that you already paid all fines, served your time, and waiting a certain time before the charge can be expunged.
Types of Cases Covered by the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system offers access to a wide array of case types. For instance, each of the following types of cases are covered:
Criminal Cases
The case search system encompasses a vast spectrum of criminal cases, ranging from minor offenses to serious felonies. Users can search for information related to arrests, charges, court dates, and the progress of criminal cases. This includes cases heard in both the District Court and the Circuit Court.
Civil Cases
In addition to criminal cases, the system also includes civil cases. Civil cases involve legal disputes between individuals, organizations, or entities. Users can find records related to civil litigation, lawsuits, and other non-criminal legal matters. These cases may involve contract disputes, personal injury claims, family law issues, and more.
Traffic Cases
Traffic cases are an essential part of the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, providing information about violations and citations related to traffic offenses. This includes records of traffic tickets, penalties, court appearances, and any related actions taken in response to traffic violations.
Civil Citation Cases
Civil citation cases are another category covered by the system. These cases typically involve non-criminal violations, such as municipal code violations, noise complaints, or other non-violent offenses. The system allows users to search for records related to civil citation cases and understand their outcomes.
Different Types of Search Methods Offered by the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
The process of searching for cases in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system caters to a wide range of user needs. It offers three different search methods to help users locate the information they seek efficiently.
Basic Search
Conducting a basic search on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system is a straightforward process, making it accessible to users with minimal information about a case. The key element in a basic search is the defendant’s name. Users simply need to enter the full or partial name of the individual they are searching for, and the system will return a list of matching cases associated with that name. This simplicity is especially valuable for those who have limited details about the case, allowing them to initiate their search without having to provide additional information.
Advanced Search
The advanced search feature within the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system offers users more precise control over their queries. This option is beneficial for those who possess additional details about the case or specific criteria for their search. Users can refine their search by providing various details such as the court level, the date range when the case was filed, or other relevant filters. An advanced search enables users to narrow down results, making it particularly useful when dealing with common names or when seeking cases within a particular jurisdiction.
Searching by Case Number
Lastly, searching by case number is a highly efficient method for accessing specific case records in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system. If users have access to the unique case number associated with a particular legal matter, then they can enter this number directly into the system. This approach bypasses the need for extensive name searches and allows for immediate retrieval of the desired case records.
Case numbers are highly valuable for users who want to quickly locate their own cases or provide this information to legal professionals, as it streamlines the process of accessing pertinent case details.
Importance of the Maryland Judiciary Case Search
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system provides a valuable service to both the public and legal professionals. This online resource helps ensure access to crucial information that can profoundly affect the lives of those involved in legal proceedings. There are several reasons why this access is important.
Transparency and Public Access
This system promotes transparency within our state’s legal system. It enables the public to access essential case details, thereby allowing for greater accountability, understanding, and trust in the judicial process.
Tracking Case Progress
For defendants and their legal representation, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system serves as a vital tool for tracking the progress of individual cases. It provides insights into the current status, upcoming court dates, and actions taken in a case. This information is particularly valuable when communicating with criminal defense lawyers.
Background Checks
The system also allows individuals to anticipate what charges and cases may appear on their background checks. This information can be essential for job applications, loans, and other benefits, as it helps individuals prepare for potential questions about their legal history.
Prompt Legal Action
For those with pending criminal or civil cases, this system serves as an early warning mechanism. For instance, if someone discovers a case against them that they were unaware of, this tool can indicate the presence of a bench warrant. In this case, immediate legal action may be necessary to resolve the situation and avoid potential arrest.
Support for Legal Representation
Our Maryland criminal defense attorneys find the Judiciary Case Search indispensable. It provides a streamlined method for accessing case records, which is vital for building effective legal strategies, challenging evidence, negotiating with the prosecution, and ultimately ensuring the best possible outcome for their clients.
Expungement Eligibility
The system can also help individuals determine if they qualify for expungement of old criminal records. As previously mentioned, expungement is a legal process that can remove or seal certain charges from public listings, providing a fresh start and better opportunities for individuals who have moved beyond their past mistakes.
Call Our Baltimore Criminal Defense Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one needs help having criminal records expunged or you have a current case pending against you, our Baltimore criminal defense attorneys may be able to help. Rice, Murtha & Psoras represent the accused in Baltimore and throughout Maryland, working to get charges dropped and dismissed to keep our clients out of jail. For a free legal consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (410) 694-7291.