Anne Arundel County Warrant Records
Anne Arundel County warrant records can be searched through the Sheriff's Office, the Circuit Court, and the state court database. This county has one of the more complete systems for warrant access in Maryland. The Sheriff's Office keeps an active warrant list that gets updated each week, and the court in Annapolis holds case files going back many years. You can look up criminal cases online for free or visit the courthouse to get copies. Several law enforcement agencies work in Anne Arundel County, so records may come from the Sheriff, the county police, or the state. Each one plays a part in how warrants are issued and served here.
Anne Arundel County Overview
Anne Arundel County Sheriff Warrant Unit
The Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office runs a dedicated Warrant Unit. Call 410-222-1490 to reach them. The main office sits at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis. The Sheriff posts an active warrant database on the county website, and it gets updated weekly. This list shows warrants that have been active for six months or more and have not been served. Each entry includes the warrant number, the name and age of the person, the charge, and the last known address. You can also submit tips to the Sheriff's Office if you know where someone with an active warrant is located.
Not all warrants appear on the public list. Active warrants tied to open investigations are often kept private to avoid tipping off the person. Juvenile warrants are never posted. Once a warrant has been served, the case record becomes part of the public file at the court. Under Maryland Rule 4-212, arrest warrants must include the person's full name, the offense charged, and the judge's signature. Anne Arundel County enters all active warrants into METERS, the state law enforcement database, so every agency in Maryland can see them.
| Address | 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401 |
|---|---|
| General Phone | 410-222-1571 |
| Warrant Unit | 410-222-1490 |
Anne Arundel County Court Warrant Records
The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County is at the same address as the Sheriff, 8 Church Circle in Annapolis. The Criminal Division clerk's office handles requests for warrant records and other court files. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 410-222-1397 for help. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Under Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 2-607, the clerk must keep records of all warrants issued by the court, and the public can ask to see them.
The District Court of Maryland also serves Anne Arundel County from two locations. The Annapolis office is at 251 Rowe Boulevard, and you can reach them at 410-260-1370. The Glen Burnie office sits at 7500 Gov. Ritchie Highway, phone 410-512-2000. Both locations have a Commissioner's Office open 24 hours a day. Commissioners can issue arrest warrants and set initial bail at any time, day or night. If you need to check on a warrant after hours, the Commissioner's Office is the place to call in Anne Arundel County.
Warrant records from Anne Arundel County courts typically show the full name, date of issuance, the nature of the offense, any statutory citations, the issuing officer's name, the case number, the warrant type, the bond amount, and physical descriptors of the person. The last known address is also part of the record.
How to Search Anne Arundel Warrants
Start with Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This free tool lets you look up cases from Anne Arundel County courts. Pick the county from the drop-down list. Enter a name and select "Criminal" for the case type. Results show charges, court dates, and case status. If a bench warrant was issued, you can often see notes about failure to appear in the case details. The system uses exact name matching by default. Add a percent sign after the first letter of the last name to get a wider search.
You can also go in person. Visit the Sheriff's Office or the Circuit Court in Annapolis. Bring a photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number. For bulk requests or formal records access, file a request under the Maryland Public Information Act. General Provisions Article §§ 4-101 gives you the right to ask for government records. The agency must respond within 10 business days. Copy fees are $0.50 per page with the first two hours of search time usually free.
- Online through Maryland Judiciary Case Search (free)
- Sheriff's Office at 8 Church Circle or call 410-222-1490
- District Court at either location during business hours
- Written MPIA request to any county agency
The Anne Arundel County Police Department also plays a role. Their Records Division at 410-222-8600 handles incident reports and can point you to the right agency for warrant questions. The county has four police districts: Western in Severn (410-222-6135), Eastern in Pasadena (410-222-6140), Northern in Glen Burnie (410-222-6130), and Southern in Edgewater (410-222-6145).
Search Warrants in Anne Arundel County
Search warrants are a separate category. Under Criminal Procedure Article § 1-203, a search warrant lets law enforcement enter a specific place to look for evidence. A judge must find probable cause before signing one. The warrant has to describe exactly where the search will happen and what items officers can take. In Anne Arundel County, search warrants must be carried out within 15 days. After that, they expire. Once a search warrant has been executed and returned to the court, it becomes part of the public record. You can ask to see the warrant, the affidavit, and the return at the clerk's office.
Active search warrants are kept private during the investigation. This is true across Maryland, not just Anne Arundel County. The reason is simple. Making a search warrant public before it is served would let someone destroy evidence or leave. After the warrant is carried out, the details are open to the public under the MPIA and court access rules.
Anne Arundel County Courts and Judicial Services
The Anne Arundel County courts and judicial services page provides links to active warrant information and court resources for residents.
This portal connects you to the Sheriff's active warrant list, court schedules, and other judicial services in Anne Arundel County.
Anne Arundel County Bench Warrants
Bench warrants are common in Anne Arundel County. They come from missed court dates. If you skip a hearing, the judge can issue a bench warrant under Maryland Rule 4-347. This means you can be picked up by any law enforcement officer at any time. Bench warrants in Anne Arundel County stay active until you are arrested or until the court recalls the warrant. There is no set date when they go away on their own.
To resolve a bench warrant, you or your lawyer can file a motion to recall it. The court will set a new hearing date. You may need to post bail. If you turn yourself in at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center, the process often moves faster than if you wait to be picked up at a traffic stop or other contact with police. Either way, the bench warrant stays on your record in the court system until it is dealt with.
Cities in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County includes several large communities. All criminal cases and warrants in these areas go through the Anne Arundel County court system.
Other communities in Anne Arundel County include Annapolis, Pasadena, Edgewater, Crofton, and Odenton. All warrant cases in these areas are handled by the Anne Arundel County courts.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Anne Arundel County. Make sure you search the right county for the case you need. Warrants are tied to the court that issued them.