Prince George's County Court Records
According to Section 3–1510 of the Maryland Code, a court record is any official record of a court about a legal proceeding that a court clerk or other court personnel preserves.
Prince George's County court records are maintained to promote transparency and fairness within the justice system. These records are considered a part of Prince George's County Public Records and provide details about the events and outcomes of cases. As such, members of the public can learn how the court system works and hold the judiciary accountable.
The Maryland court in which a case was filed or heard maintains the associated records of the case. The specific office that maintains such records is usually a local clerk of the court's office. For example, the Prince George's Circuit Court Clerk's Office. A court clerk's office also processes requests for court records.
It is worth noting that Rule 16-903 of the Maryland Rules on Access to Judicial Records expands on the definition of a "court record" to include an administrative record, business license record, case record, or notice record.
Are Court Records Public in Prince George's County?
Yes. As stated in Rule 16-904 of the Maryland Rules on Access to Judicial Records and the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA, judicial records within the Prince George's County court system are presumed open to the public. Therefore, interested individuals can inspect or request a copy of any court record, provided it is not confidential by law or court order.
However, certain records or parts of records are not accessible to the public. These include court records whose inspection would contradict a law, expunged records, juvenile records, adoption records, records sealed by court order, and professional work products, to name a few.
What Do Prince George's County Court Records Contain?
Court records in Prince George's County contain the following data:
- Case information (case title, case number, case type, file date, case status. etc.)
- Parties involved (names, dates of birth, addresses)
- Dockets, schedules, and calendars (dates, time, venue of hearings)
- Exhibits, transcripts, and memoranda
- Attorneys of record
- Disposition information
- Documents filed in a case (for example, complaints and motions)
- Judgment
Where to Conduct a Prince George's County Case Lookup
Requesters seeking a Prince George's County court case record have these options:
- The courthouse where a case was heard.
- Case search tools provided on the Maryland Judicial Branch's website
Paper and digital copies of case records are available to searchers.
How to Conduct a Prince George's County Case Records Search
Members of the public interested in knowing how to conduct a Prince George's case record search can follow the instructions below:
Online Case Records Search
Inquirers who want to access a case online can access the Maryland Judiciary's Case Search system. An option to perform a name search (search with a case party's last name) or case number is provided. However, the online portal only serves informational purposes and is not the complete court record. Those who want an entire case record must contact or visit the court that handled the matter.
In-Person Case Records Search
Members of the public can visit the courthouse to use a public kiosk or terminal to search for and view a case record at no charge. One can also request copies of case records from the court clerk's office. Each requester must provide a case number or party name for staff to retrieve the desired record. Records unavailable through online mediums may be available at the courthouse.
Note: In-person requesters are charged a fee if they require staff assistance for more than two hours to inspect a record or request copies of records.
Prince George's County Civil Court Case Records
A civil court case record contains information and documents (motions, exhibits, summons, complaints, judgments, etc.) filed in a civil case. Civil court cases are heard within the circuit, district, and orphans' courts in Prince George's County.
Individuals who want to obtain a Prince George's County civil court case record can visit the presiding courthouse in person or access the Maryland Judiciary's Case Search system. Any requester will need details like a case number, party name, or filing date to retrieve records.
Prince George's County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records are official accounts of criminal offenses tried in criminal courts. The district and circuit courts in Prince George's County hear these types of cases. As such, persons who require the records can contact, mail, or visit the courthouse where a case was filed. For instance, individuals looking for criminal court records in the county's circuit court can stop by the criminal division during working hours (see street address below) or send a written request to the following address:
Mailing Address
14735 Main Street
Courthouse, M1408
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Prince George's County court records are available online through the Maryland Judiciary's Case Search system and other online portals and can be assessed for free. (Typically, inquirers are only charged when making copy requests.)
At the same time, one can obtain free court records online through private aggregate sites. Some sites offer a free Prince George's court record search, but requesters may need to pay to obtain comprehensive records. These websites are typically searchable with a case party's first and last name.
Courts in Prince George's County, Maryland
Circuit Court - Civil Domestic Division
14735 Main Street
Room D1022
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 952-3322
Circuit Court - Criminal Division
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 952-3344
District Court (Hyattsville)
4990 Rhode Island Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20781
District Court (Upper Marlboro)
14735 Main Street
Suite 173b
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3042
Phone: (301) 298-4000
Orphans' Court
14735 Main Street
D4012
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 952-3790
Fax: (301) 952-4489
