Warrants are public records in Prince George's County, Maryland, pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified under §§ 4-101 through 4-601 of the General Provisions Article. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records without unnecessary impediments, subject to certain statutory exceptions. The MPIA operates on the presumption that government records should be accessible to maintain transparency and accountability in governmental operations.
In Prince George's County, warrant records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court. These records are generally accessible to members of the public through established procedures. The Maryland Judiciary maintains that public access to court records, including warrants, serves the important function of keeping citizens informed about judicial proceedings and law enforcement activities within their communities.
Individuals seeking warrant information may access these records through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, which provides electronic access to court records throughout the state. However, certain warrant information may be temporarily restricted if disclosure would impede an ongoing investigation or compromise public safety, as provided under § 4-351 of the General Provisions Article.
Warrant records in Prince George's County typically contain the following information:
The level of detail in warrant records may vary depending on the type of warrant issued. Bench warrants, which are issued when individuals fail to appear for scheduled court proceedings, may contain different information than arrest warrants issued upon probable cause for criminal offenses.
Pursuant to Maryland Rules 4-212 and 4-213, warrant records must include sufficient particularity to identify the individual and the alleged offense. This requirement ensures that law enforcement can properly execute the warrant while protecting the rights of the named individual.
Members of the public may verify the existence of warrants in Prince George's County through several no-cost methods:
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides free online access to court records, including information about active warrants. Users may search by name to determine if warrants have been issued.
In-person inquiries may be made at the Prince George's County District Court located at:
Prince George's County District Court
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-298-4000
District Court of Maryland
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office
5303 Chrysler Way
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-780-8600
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office
Public access terminals are available at these locations for individuals without internet access. Staff cannot provide legal advice but may assist with navigating the search process in accordance with § 4-201 of the General Provisions Article.
The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for executing warrants issued within the jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are official documents issued by judicial authorities that grant law enforcement officers the legal authority to take specific actions, such as apprehending individuals or conducting searches of designated properties.
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Warrant/Fugitive Division that processes and serves various types of warrants, including:
Pursuant to Maryland Rule 4-212, warrants remain in effect until executed or recalled by judicial order. The Sheriff's Office prioritizes warrant service based on the severity of the underlying offense and potential public safety concerns.
The Warrant/Fugitive Division operates from the Sheriff's Office headquarters and maintains regular coordination with other law enforcement agencies to facilitate the apprehension of individuals with active warrants. Information regarding the most serious outstanding warrants may be published on the Sheriff's Office website as part of public notification efforts.
Individuals seeking to determine if warrants have been issued in their name in Prince George's County may utilize several official resources:
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system provides 24-hour online access to court records, including warrant information. This database is updated regularly and allows searches by name and case number.
Direct contact with the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office Warrant Division at 301-780-8600 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM) may provide warrant status information. Individuals must provide proper identification information for verification purposes.
In-person inquiries may be made at the District Court Commissioner's Office, which operates 24 hours daily at:
District Court Commissioner's Office
14735 Main Street, Room M0421
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-298-4200
Pursuant to Maryland Rule 4-212(h), individuals with knowledge of active warrants against them are advised to address the matter promptly through proper legal channels. Voluntary surrender arrangements may be coordinated through the Sheriff's Office or legal counsel.
Prince George's County maintains several mechanisms for verifying the existence of outstanding warrants:
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides comprehensive access to court records, including outstanding warrant information. This resource is available without charge and accessible 24 hours daily.
The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants and provides limited public access to this information. The Sheriff's Office updates this database regularly as warrants are issued and served.
The Court Records Department at the Prince George's County Courthouse provides in-person access to warrant records during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) at:
Prince George's County Circuit Court
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-952-3318
Pursuant to § 4-203 of the General Provisions Article, custodians of records shall make reasonable accommodations for individuals seeking access to public records, including warrant information. Identification may be required to verify the requestor's identity when seeking specific warrant details.