Charles County Court Records
What Is Charles County Court Records
Court records in Charles County, Maryland encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by the courts. Pursuant to Maryland Rules 16-901, court records are defined as "any document, information, or other item that is collected, received, or maintained by a court in connection with a judicial proceeding."
Court records are distinct from other public records such as:
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Tax records
- Business licenses
The following courts maintain records in Charles County:
- Circuit Court for Charles County
- District Court of Maryland for Charles County
These courts handle various case types including:
- Civil litigation (contract disputes, personal injury, property matters)
- Criminal proceedings (felonies, misdemeanors)
- Family law matters (divorce, custody, child support)
- Probate and estate administration
- Traffic violations
- Juvenile cases (with special confidentiality provisions)
The Maryland Judiciary maintains a comprehensive records management system that allows for the preservation and retrieval of court documents according to established retention schedules.
Are Court Records Public In Charles County
Court records in Charles County are generally public pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, codified under § 4-101 et seq. of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including court records, are open to inspection by any person.
The following court records are typically accessible to the public:
- Most civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
- Land records
- Marriage licenses
However, certain records may be restricted or sealed under Maryland Rules 16-934 through 16-937, including:
- Juvenile proceedings
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Certain domestic violence cases
- Records containing sensitive personal information
- Cases sealed by judicial order
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland are governed by federal access rules rather than state law. The Maryland Judiciary has established comprehensive access policies that balance the public's right to information with privacy concerns and the efficient administration of justice.
How To Find Court Records in Charles County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Charles County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the appropriate courthouse during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form at the Clerk's Office
- Provide case number or party names to facilitate the search
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $5.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page)
Circuit Court for Charles County
200 Charles Street
La Plata, MD 20646
301-932-3201
Circuit Court for Charles County
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
District Court of Maryland for Charles County
11 Washington Avenue
La Plata, MD 20646
301-934-2500
District Court of Maryland
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk
- Include specific case information and documents needed
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Include payment for applicable fees
Online Access:
- Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search for basic case information
- Access Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) for participating courts
- Utilize Maryland Land Records for property-related documents
Pursuant to § 7-202 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, the Clerk of the Circuit Court may charge reasonable fees for record searches and document copies. Certified copies of court documents currently require additional fees as established by the State Court Administrator.
How To Look Up Court Records in Charles County Online?
Charles County residents and interested parties can access various court records through several online portals maintained by the Maryland Judiciary:
Maryland Judiciary Case Search:
- Navigate to Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Accept the terms and conditions
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, or business name)
- Select Charles County from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
- Review search results showing case type, filing date, party information, and case status
- Note that this system provides docket information but not document images
Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC):
- Visit Maryland Electronic Courts
- Register for an account if accessing non-public case documents
- Search by case number, party name, or filing date
- Access available document images for eligible cases
- Pay applicable fees for document downloads
Maryland Land Records Online:
- Access MDLandRec
- Create a free account
- Select Charles County from the jurisdiction list
- Search by name, property address, or document type
- View and download land record documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens
The Maryland Judiciary Records Portal provides centralized access to these various systems and detailed instructions for navigating each platform. Currently, document availability varies by court and case type, with some older records requiring in-person requests at the courthouse.
How To Search Charles County Court Records for Free?
Maryland law provides for free public inspection of court records under certain circumstances. Pursuant to § 7-202(c) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, "a custodian of a court record shall allow inspection of the record at no cost."
The following free options are available to the public:
Free In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the Circuit Court for Charles County during regular business hours
- Request to view specific case files at public access terminals
- No fee is charged for viewing records, only for obtaining copies
- Self-service computers are available in the Clerk's Office for searching case information
Free Online Resources:
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search - Provides free access to basic case information including party names, case types, filing dates, and docket entries
- MDLandRec - Offers free access to land records after creating an account
- Maryland Judiciary Website - Provides free access to court schedules, local rules, and forms
Public Law Libraries:
- Charles County Public Law Library located within the Circuit Court building
- Offers free access to legal research databases and assistance with locating court records
- Available during regular courthouse hours
While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or extensive searches requiring staff assistance. The Maryland Judiciary maintains a fee schedule detailing current costs for various record services.
What's Included in a Charles County Court Record?
Court records in Charles County contain various documents depending on the case type and stage of proceedings. A comprehensive court record typically includes:
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints or petitions
- Summonses
- Service of process documentation
- Initial appearances (criminal cases)
- Charging documents (indictments or informations)
Procedural Documents:
- Motions and responses
- Court orders and rulings
- Scheduling notices
- Continuance requests
- Discovery materials (when filed with the court)
- Subpoenas
- Witness lists
Evidentiary Materials:
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Affidavits
- Depositions (when filed)
- Expert witness reports
- Documentary evidence
Disposition Documents:
- Judgments
- Verdicts
- Sentencing orders (criminal cases)
- Settlement agreements (when filed)
- Dismissal orders
- Appeals notices
Financial Records:
- Fee payments
- Restitution orders
- Fine assessments
- Bond information
- Cost bills
Specialized Documents:
- Domestic case information reports
- Child support worksheets
- Marital property statements
- Probation/parole reports
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (access restricted)
The Maryland Rules on Access to Court Records govern what information must be included in the official court record and what information may be redacted or restricted from public view.
How Long Does Charles County Keep Court Records?
Charles County courts maintain records according to retention schedules established by the Maryland Judiciary. Pursuant to § 16-505 of the Maryland Rules, the State Court Administrator has adopted comprehensive retention policies that vary by case type and document importance.
Criminal Case Records:
- Felony cases: Permanent retention for serious crimes (murder, rape, etc.)
- Other felonies: 20 years after case disposition
- Misdemeanors: 10 years after case disposition
- Traffic violations: 3-5 years depending on severity
Civil Case Records:
- Major civil litigation: 12 years after final disposition
- Small claims: 3 years after judgment
- Domestic relations cases: 80 years (divorce, custody, support)
- Adoption records: Permanent retention
- Guardianship: 10 years after termination of guardianship
Probate Records:
- Wills: Permanent retention
- Estate administration: 10 years after estate closing
Land Records:
- Deeds, mortgages, liens: Permanent retention
- Plats and surveys: Permanent retention
Court Administrative Records:
- Docket books: Permanent retention
- Indexes: Permanent retention
- Judgment records: 12 years after satisfaction
The Maryland Judiciary Records Retention Schedule provides detailed guidance on specific document types. After the retention period expires, records may be transferred to the Maryland State Archives for historical preservation or destroyed according to established procedures.
Types of Courts In Charles County
Charles County's court system consists of two primary courts operating within Maryland's unified judicial system:
Circuit Court for Charles County
200 Charles Street
La Plata, MD 20646
301-932-3201
Circuit Court for Charles County
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
The Circuit Court is Charles County's court of general jurisdiction, handling more serious criminal cases, major civil litigation, family law matters, and appeals from the District Court.
District Court of Maryland for Charles County
11 Washington Avenue
La Plata, MD 20646
301-934-2500
District Court of Maryland
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
The District Court handles less serious criminal cases (misdemeanors), civil cases involving limited monetary amounts, traffic violations, and certain preliminary hearings.
The Maryland court hierarchy proceeds as follows:
- District Court (limited jurisdiction)
- Circuit Court (general jurisdiction)
- Court of Special Appeals (intermediate appellate court)
- Court of Appeals (Maryland's highest court)
Charles County does not have separate specialized courts (such as dedicated family or probate courts) as these matters are handled within divisions of the Circuit Court. The Orphans' Court, which handles probate matters in some Maryland counties, is integrated into the Circuit Court in Charles County.
What Types of Cases Do Charles County Courts Hear?
Charles County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority:
Circuit Court Case Types:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases with claims exceeding $30,000
- Family law matters (divorce, custody, child support, adoption)
- Juvenile proceedings (delinquency, child welfare)
- Probate and estate administration
- Land record disputes
- Appeals from District Court decisions
- Administrative agency appeals
- Business and commercial litigation
- Complex tort cases
District Court Case Types:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil claims up to $30,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Small claims (up to $5,000)
- Traffic violations
- Peace and protective orders
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Municipal ordinance violations
- Replevin actions (recovery of personal property)
The jurisdictional boundaries between these courts are established by Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article § 4-401 for District Courts and § 4-301 for Circuit Courts. In certain cases, concurrent jurisdiction exists, allowing parties to choose which court will hear their matter based on the amount in controversy or case complexity.
How To Find a Court Docket In Charles County
Court dockets in Charles County provide schedules of hearings, trials, and other proceedings. Members of the public can access docket information through several methods:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit Maryland Judiciary Case Search
- Enter case number or party name
- Select Charles County from jurisdiction dropdown
- View docket entries showing scheduled hearings and past proceedings
- Note that docket information is typically updated daily
Court Schedule Viewing:
- Access the Maryland Judiciary website
- Navigate to the Charles County courts section
- View daily court calendars showing scheduled cases by courtroom
- Check specific judge assignments and hearing types
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the Clerk's Office at the appropriate courthouse
- Request to view the daily docket sheet
- Inquire about specific case scheduling
- Use public terminals to search case management system
Telephone Information:
- Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 301-932-3201
- Contact the District Court Clerk's Office at 301-934-2500
- Provide case number or party names
- Request information about upcoming hearings
For attorneys and registered users, the Maryland Electronic Courts system provides additional docket management tools and automated notifications of schedule changes. The public information desk at each courthouse can also assist with locating specific cases on the docket.
Which Courts in Charles County Are Not Courts of Record?
A "court not of record" is a judicial body that does not create or maintain verbatim transcripts of its proceedings and typically has limited jurisdiction. In Maryland, pursuant to § 1-501 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, the District Court is designated as a court not of record for certain proceedings.
In Charles County, the following qualify as courts not of record:
District Court of Maryland for Charles County
11 Washington Avenue
La Plata, MD 20646
301-934-2500
District Court of Maryland
While the District Court maintains case files and docket entries, it does not automatically create verbatim transcripts of all proceedings. In District Court cases:
- Proceedings are recorded, but transcripts are only prepared upon specific request
- Appeals from District Court to Circuit Court are heard de novo (new trial) rather than on the record
- Simplified procedures apply to many case types
Administrative Hearings:
- Motor Vehicle Administration hearings
- Workers' compensation proceedings
- Certain licensing board hearings
These administrative proceedings, while quasi-judicial in nature, are not courts of record and follow more informal procedures.
The Circuit Court for Charles County, by contrast, is a court of record where proceedings are recorded verbatim and appeals are based on the official transcript and record developed at trial.
Lookup Court Records in Charles County
Charles County Court Directory