Maryland Warrants: Types, Searches, and What to Expect

A warrant is a legal order issued by a court that empowers law enforcement to make an arrest, conduct a search, or require an individual to appear in court. Warrants are important in Maryland’s legal system because they uphold due process by requiring probable cause and judicial authorization.

What Is a Warrant in Maryland?

In Maryland, warrants are issued by judges or magistrates in the District and Circuit Courts, depending on the type of case. They are judicial directives that authorize law enforcement to take actions like:

• Arresting a person suspected of committing a crime
• Searching a property for evidence
• Compelling an individual’s appearance in court

Types of Warrants in Maryland

Maryland courts issue several types of warrants, with each one designed for a distinct legal function:

1. Arrest Warrant

A judicial order signed by a judge or authorized court official directing an officer to arrest a named person.

2. Bench Warrant

A kind of arrest warrant issued when someone fails to appear in court, violates probation, or does not comply with other court orders. It commands law enforcement to take the person into custody.

3. Search Warrant

Authorizes law enforcement to search specified persons, houses, premises or vehicles and seize evidence. This warrant describes what is being searched and seized from a location or person.

4. Retake Warrant

This is issued by correctional facility officials to apprehend a person who has escaped or otherwise needs to be returned to custody.

5. No-Knock Search Warrant

Permits law enforcement to enter a building, apartment, or premises without prior notice under certain conditions.

How to Search for Warrants in Maryland

In Maryland, warrants are not kept in one central public database, but the public can access warrant information through several official sources:

1. Maryland Judiciary Case Search – This is the state’s online system that provides access to case information from District and Circuit Courts. Anyone can view active warrants that appear in pending criminal cases through this portal.
2. County Sheriff’s Offices – Some county sheriff’s offices provide active or outstanding warrant lists for the public through their websites.
3. Clerk of Court Offices – Interested parties may visit the Circuit or District Court Clerk’s Office in the county where the warrant was issued.
4. Local Police Departments – City departments like the Baltimore Police Department maintain records of warrants issued within their jurisdiction, especially arrest warrants.
5. Maryland State Police (MSP) – Individuals can request their own criminal history record from the MSP. This record may show warrant-related information if the warrant has been served or is part of the public record.
6. Third-Party Search Platforms – Many private websites aggregate public records, including arrest records, court filings, and outstanding warrants from different official sources.

While searching for warrant records in Maryland, one can expect to find information such as the type of warrant, the name of the individual involved, the issuing judge, the case number, and the related charges.

Warrant Records in Major Maryland Counties and Cities

• Baltimore City – The Baltimore Police Department and Sheriff’s Office maintain active warrant divisions where individuals can request warrant information.
• Montgomery County (Rockville) – Anyone may visit the office of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in person to view the list of active or outstanding warrants.
• Prince George’s County (Upper Marlboro) – In Prince George’s County, members of the public can access warrant information in criminal cases through the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office or by using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued in Maryland?

• Arrest Warrants – An arrest warrant in Maryland allows the police to take a person into custody. It stays active until the individual is arrested or the court cancels it.
• Bench Warrants – Missing a court date or violating orders can result in arrest with possible fines or other penalties.
• Search Warrants – Upon obtaining a search warrant, officers must execute searches within 15 days and seize only the items listed in the warrant.
• Civil Warrants – An individual is summoned to court if they are issued a civil warrant. Ignoring this warrant may result in a default judgment, liens, or wage garnishment.

In Maryland, resolving a warrant usually requires an individual to appear in court voluntarily, comply with court orders, and pay any overdue fines.

Unaddressed warrants can trigger an arrest during an airport security screening, employment background check, or a traffic stop.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Maryland?

Arrest and bench warrants do not expire on their own. They are in effect until the subject is arrested or the court recalls them. Search warrants expire if not executed by law enforcement within 15 days. Civil warrants remain in effect until the defendant is served, and the case is settled or dismissed in court.

A warrant may be recalled if the subject complies with court requirements, and may be cleared once it is resolved in court. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that arrest and bench warrants never expire and can still lead to an arrest even after decades.

In the Maryland justice system, warrants help protect rights while ensuring that law enforcement actions like arrests and searches follow the law. They also help courts to enforce attendance and compliance with court orders. To find warrant records in Maryland, it is best to conduct searches through official sources like the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, sheriff’s offices, clerks of court and the Maryland State Police. Unless cleared through a proper court resolution, warrants in Maryland do not expire on their own. Individuals who suspect that they have an active warrant can avoid penalties by contacting the issuing court or an attorney.