Criminal records of Wicomico County, Maryland, are available through several channels — online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. WicomicoCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, you can use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, or submit a request to the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office or Maryland State Police.
How to Search Criminal Records in Wicomico
There are several ways to search for criminal records. Which one to choose depends on what you need: basic case information, a certified copy, or a full criminal history check.
Online Search
- WicomicoCourt.us — start here to find publicly available information about county court cases. Enter the person's name or case number.
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search — the official Court Records portal of the state provides free access to case materials from the District Court and Circuit Court throughout Maryland, including Wicomico County. You will need the full name of the defendant or the case number for the search.
- Maryland State Police — the Central Records Division processes requests for state-level criminal history checks. This is a paid service that requires the submission of fingerprints.
In-Person Visit
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office accepts visitors during business hours. There, you can use public access terminals or ask the clerk to find the required case.
Clerk's Office — Circuit Court for Wicomico County
District Court of Maryland for Wicomico County is also located in Salisbury and handles cases of minor offenses, traffic violations, and misdemeanors.
Written Request
A request for criminal records can be sent by mail to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. Add payment in the form of a money order. For an official state criminal history check, the request is submitted to the Maryland State Police Central Records Division with a completed form and fingerprints.
What you need to start the search:
- Full first and last name of the person
- Date of birth (if possible)
- Case number, if known
Search Wicomico Criminal Cases by Case Number
Every case in Maryland receives a standardized number. Understanding its structure speeds up the search and helps avoid confusion between cases from different courts.
The format of a case number in Maryland typically looks like this:
- Court code — a two-digit code indicating the type of court (e.g., C for Circuit Court, D for District Court)
- County code — a two-digit numeric jurisdiction code; Wicomico County has code 22
- Case type — a letter code for the category (CR — criminal case, CT — traffic violation)
- Year and sequential number — the last two digits of the filing year and the sequential case number
Example: C-22-CR-23-000456 indicates a criminal case in the Circuit Court of Wicomico County, registered in 2023 under number 456. If you only have part of the number, try searching by name — the system will show all related cases.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Wicomico
Search results contain several key elements. Below is what each of them means in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Reference to the specific article of the Annotated Code of Maryland under which the charges are brought |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended charges | The prosecutor may change or drop individual charges during the proceedings |
Case Status
- Active / Pending — the case is open, proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
In criminal cases in Wicomico County, the following hearings typically occur:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the charges are read to the defendant, and they plead guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence for further proceedings
- Pre-trial hearing — parties discuss procedural issues, possible plea agreements
- Trial — the substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — issuing a sentence after a guilty plea
- Review hearing — reviewing probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not guilty | Acquitted — guilt not proven |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a substantive decision |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Stet | Case postponed indefinitely; may be reopened within a year |
| Probation before judgment (PBJ) | The court does not issue a guilty verdict provided certain conditions are met |
Cases that end in acquittal or dismissal may be subject to expungement — removal from public records.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Wicomico
Certified copies are officially authenticated documents with the court seal. They are often required by employers, licensing agencies, or attorneys.
Where to Apply
To obtain certified copies of court materials for a specific case, contact the Clerk's Office Circuit Court for Wicomico County.
If you need a full state-level criminal history check (rather than materials from a specific case), the request is submitted to the Maryland State Police Central Records Division.
How to Submit a Request
- In-person — visit the clerk's office with a valid photo ID. The clerk will find the case and prepare a certified copy.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the case number, full name of the party, and type of document. Include payment by money order made out to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- Through Maryland State Police — for a state criminal history check, submit a completed request form and fingerprints. Details are available on the Central Records Division page.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- Case number or full name and date of birth
- For state criminal history check — fingerprints on an official card
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Wicomico
Fees are set according to the Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article and the clerk's office fee schedule.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| State criminal history check (Maryland State Police) | $18.00 (subject to change) |
Processing Times
- In-person visit — simple copies are usually issued the same day if the case is in the electronic system
- Mail request — processing may take 5 to 10 business days, not including delivery time
- Check through Maryland State Police — standard processing time is approximately 7–10 business days
Note: older cases that have not been digitized may require additional time for archival search. Check current fees directly with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, as amounts are periodically reviewed.