DUI Records in Caroline County

Caroline County DUI records are public court documents you can search online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search or access in person at the Clerk's Office in Denton. These records cover DUI and DWI cases filed in the Circuit Court and District Court for Caroline County. Whether you need to look up a pending case, verify how a matter was resolved, or request copies of court filings, this page explains how to access Caroline County DUI records and what to expect from each process.

Search Caroline County DUI Records Online

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us covers all Caroline County DUI and DWI cases in its public database. It is free and does not require a login. Criminal case records for Caroline County are available starting from October 10, 2000. Civil records go back to October 1, 1998. DUI cases filed before those dates are not online and require an in-person visit or a request to the Maryland State Archives, as well as the Caroline County Historical Society for older genealogical research needs.

Enter a name or case number in the search fields. Selecting Caroline County from the jurisdiction filter narrows results to cases from this county only. The system returns the case number, charge, filing date, court type, case status, and final disposition. A DUI charge will show the Transportation 21-902 citation. The database updates quickly, within about 10 minutes of clerk entry, so recent Caroline County DUI filings appear soon after they are logged.

More context on how Caroline County court records are organized is available at marylandcourtrecords.us/caroline/. That resource explains the types of records held in Denton and how the Case Search fits into the larger Caroline County records system.

The District Court directory for Caroline County is at mdcourts.gov/district/directories/caroline, which has current phone numbers and hours for the District Court in Denton. The Circuit Court clerk page is at courts.state.md.us/clerks/caroline.

Caroline County Courts for DUI Cases

Two courts handle DUI cases in Caroline County. Most misdemeanor DUI and DWI charges are heard in District Court. The Circuit Court handles felony DUI charges and appeals from District Court. Both courts are in Denton, which is the county seat for Caroline County.

The Circuit Court for Caroline County is at 109 Market Street, Denton, MD 21629. The phone is 410-479-1811. The fax is 410-479-1142. Clerk Diane M. Hanson leads the office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For a DUI case that went to trial in District Court and was appealed, the appeal is heard at the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court also hears DUI charges involving serious bodily injury or death, which are charged as felonies rather than misdemeanors.

The District Court for Caroline County sits at 207 S. Third Street, Denton, MD 21629. The phone is 410-819-4600. A toll-free number is 1-800-940-4968. This is where most first and second offense DUI and DWI cases in Caroline County begin. Initial appearances, bail hearings, and bench trials for misdemeanor DUI charges all take place at the District Court. Hours match the Circuit Court: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Orphans' Court of Caroline County also sits at 109 Market Street, phone 410-479-0717. This court handles probate matters and is not involved in DUI cases, but it is located in the same building as the Circuit Court.

The Caroline County court records information page at marylandcourtrecords.us/caroline/ provides an overview of how Caroline County DUI records are structured and where to find them.

Caroline County DUI records are accessible through the same statewide systems used across Maryland, with in-person access available at the courthouse on Market Street in Denton.

What Caroline County DUI Records Contain

A Caroline County DUI record on Case Search includes personal data about the defendant: full legal name, date of birth, address, and a physical description covering height, weight, gender, and race. The record also shows the arresting officer's name, their badge ID number, and their department. The time, date, and location of the traffic stop in Caroline County are part of the record. Vehicle information, including the license plate and vehicle description, may appear in traffic-related DUI cases.

The charge field identifies the specific statute. Transportation 21-902(a) is DUI at .08 BAC or higher. 21-902(b) is DWI at .07. Drug-related impairment charges fall under 21-902(c) or (d). The disposition field shows how the case ended, whether that was a guilty verdict, a not-guilty finding, a dismissal, a probation before judgment, a stet, or a nolle prosequi. Pending cases show a status of open with upcoming hearing dates listed.

Note: Case Search does not show restricted records. Juvenile cases, adoption records, emergency mental health evaluations, and sealed or expunged records do not appear. Those are held separately under laws including Maryland Code, Family Law 5-3B-29 and Courts and Judicial Proceedings 3-8A-27.

Copies of Caroline County DUI Records

To get copies of Caroline County DUI records, visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 109 Market Street in Denton. Fill out the record request form available at the counter. Provide the names of the parties in the case, any case number you have, and the filing or judgment date if you know it. Show a valid government-issued photo ID. Pay the applicable fees before staff makes copies.

The copy fee at Caroline County Circuit Court is $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per certification in addition to the per-page fee. Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Clerk at 109 Market Street, Denton, MD 21629. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Make checks payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court. Describe the case carefully in your letter so staff can locate the file. A fee waiver is available through Form CC-DC-089 for those who demonstrate financial hardship.

If you need records that predate the Case Search start date of October 2000, the Maryland State Archives holds older Caroline County court records. The Caroline County Historical Society may assist with genealogical research related to older cases. Neither the Case Search system nor the courthouse clerk can access pre-1998 civil or pre-2000 criminal case files through normal channels.

Maryland DUI Laws in Caroline County

DUI and DWI prosecutions in Caroline County follow the same Maryland statutes that apply statewide. The main statute is Transportation Article 21-902. Section (a) covers DUI at a BAC of .08 or higher. Section (b) covers DWI at .07. Both generate criminal records that appear in the Caroline County DUI records database. Penalties differ between the two: a first DWI carries up to two months and a $500 fine, while a first DUI can mean up to a year and a $1,000 fine.

Repeat DUI offenses in Caroline County carry harsher penalties under state law. A second DUI can bring a mandatory minimum of five days in jail and up to two years total. A third conviction adds up to three years. Two DUI convictions within five years require an ignition interlock device through Noah's Law. Information on the ignition interlock program is at mva.maryland.gov/drivers. The interlock prevents a vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver's breath. The MVA oversees the program and authorizes providers.

The administrative side of a DUI arrest runs separately from the criminal case. When a driver in Caroline County is stopped on suspicion of DUI and fails a breath test, the officer takes the license on the spot. The driver gets a 45-day paper license. On day 46, the suspension kicks in unless the driver requested an MVA hearing within 10 days of arrest. That request goes by certified mail to the MVA Office of Administrative Hearings at 6601 Ritchie Highway NE, Mail Stop: M-2A-14, Hunt Valley, MD 21062, with a $150 fee made out to the Maryland State Treasurer. If the driver refused the test, the suspension is 270 days for the first refusal. Refusal can also be brought up as evidence in the criminal case. The full rules are at mva.maryland.gov.

DUI adds 12 points to the Maryland driving record. DWI adds 8. Points stay on the record for two years from the violation date. Enough points can trigger a license suspension or revocation through the MVA point system, independent of any court action in Caroline County.

Expungement of Caroline County DUI Records

Maryland law under Criminal Procedure 10-105 determines whether a Caroline County DUI record can be expunged. DUI convictions, meaning guilty verdicts, cannot be expunged in Maryland. Records from cases that ended in not guilty, dismissal, or nolle prosequi are eligible for expungement. A stet becomes eligible after three years.

A law that took effect October 1, 2024 allows DUI probation before judgment (PBJ) records on alcohol charges under 21-902(a) or (b) to be expunged after 15 years from the discharge date. That 15-year clock resets if the person picks up a new conviction in the meantime. Drug-related DUI charges under 21-902(c) or (d) are still not eligible for expungement under this provision.

To file for expungement of a Caroline County DUI record, get the petition form from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 109 Market Street in Denton or download it from courts.state.md.us/courtforms. File it with the court where the case was resolved. The filing fee is $30. Fee waivers are available. You also need to serve a copy of the petition on the Caroline County State's Attorney's Office. If the State's Attorney objects, the court will hold a hearing. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org has a useful guide on what Caroline County DUI records are eligible and how to apply.

After a successful expungement, Case Search will no longer display the case. Restricted government uses may still retain access. The public record is removed, but the process is not an erasure from all systems.

Nearby Counties

Caroline County borders Talbot County to the west, Queen Anne's County to the north, and Dorchester County to the south. DUI charges are always filed in the county where the traffic stop occurred.