Access Frederick County DUI Records

Frederick County DUI records are stored and maintained by the Circuit Court and District Court, both located at 100 West Patrick Street in Frederick, Maryland. DUI and DWI cases filed in Frederick County are searchable through the free Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, with criminal records going back to March 2000. This page covers where to find these records, how to request copies, and what Maryland law says about DUI charges that show up in Frederick County court filings.

Finding Frederick County DUI Records Online

The free Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the main tool for looking up DUI records in Frederick County. No account is required. Criminal records for Frederick County are available from March 13, 2000. Civil records go back to February 9, 1998. To search, select Frederick County, then type in the person's last name and first name. Results show charge codes, case numbers, hearing dates, and final outcomes.

The screenshot below shows the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal, which is the central online access point for Frederick County DUI records and all other Maryland court records.

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is updated regularly and reflects most recent case activity in Frederick County within a few business days.

Using the portal shown, you can search Frederick County DUI records by name, case number, or a combination of name and date range to narrow results from the county's court system.

If the online search does not give you what you need, the clerk's office at the Frederick courthouse accepts in-person visits and mail requests. Both courts sit at the same building on West Patrick Street, which makes it simple to check in with both if needed.

Frederick County Circuit Court

The Circuit Court for Frederick County handles DUI cases that involve felony charges, jury trials, and appeals from District Court. Clerk Sandra K. Dalton oversees the office. The court is at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. The main clerk number is 301-600-1976. For the criminal clerk specifically, call extension 212. Email is frederickclerk@mdcourts.gov. The Circuit Court clerk's page has current contact details and forms for requesting records.

Records are available in person Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Go to the Clerk's Office on the 2nd floor when you arrive. Fill out a record request form, provide the subject's full name and date of birth, and show valid government-issued photo ID. The standard copy fee is $0.50 per page. If staff assistance is needed for the search, the first page is $5.00. Certified copies carry an additional $5.00 per document fee. Mail requests are accepted. Include your contact information, the case details, and a check payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court. Mail to: 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701.

For a broader overview of what Frederick County criminal records look like and how to navigate requests, the Frederick County criminal records page at frederickrecords.us provides a helpful summary. Additional court record information is at marylandcourtrecords.us/frederick/.

Frederick County District Court

The District Court for Frederick County sits at the same address as the Circuit Court: 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. The general number is 301-600-2000. For criminal matters, call 301-600-2001. A toll-free number is available at 1-800-945-2119. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. More details are on the Frederick County District Court directory page.

The District Court is where most DUI cases in Frederick County begin. It handles misdemeanor impaired driving charges under Transportation Article §21-902, which covers DUI at .08 or above, DWI at .07, and drug-related impairment. First-offense DUI cases typically start here. If the defendant asks for a jury trial, the case moves to Circuit Court. All District Court DUI records for Frederick County are searchable through the statewide Case Search portal.

Both courts share the same building in Frederick, which can make in-person record requests more efficient. If you are unsure which court handled a specific case, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search will show you which court level the case was filed in.

Maryland DUI Law and Frederick County Records

Frederick County DUI cases are prosecuted under Maryland state law. The key statute is Transportation Article §21-902. This law defines DUI as driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above. DWI applies when the driver is impaired at .07. The statute also covers driving while impaired by drugs alone or by a combination of alcohol and drugs. These are the charge codes most commonly tied to Frederick County DUI records.

The screenshot below shows the statutory text for Transportation §21-902 directly on the Maryland General Assembly website. This is the law that governs DUI charges in Frederick County and all of Maryland.

The Maryland General Assembly site hosts the full text of Transportation §21-902, the primary DUI statute that applies to all Frederick County DUI case records.

The statute shown applies to every DUI and DWI case filed in Frederick County, setting the BAC thresholds and defining the range of impaired driving offenses that generate court records.

First-offense DUI in Maryland carries up to $1,000 in fines and one year in jail. The driver also gets 12 points on their Maryland license, which can trigger a suspension of up to six months. A second DUI raises the maximum to $2,000 and two years in jail, with a mandatory minimum of five days. A third DUI brings up to $3,000 and three years in prison. DWI penalties are lower: $500 and two months for a first offense, with 8 license points added.

Maryland's implied consent law means that drivers arrested in Frederick County who refuse to take a breath test face automatic license consequences. A first refusal brings a 270-day suspension. A second refusal means two years. The driver has 10 days from the arrest date to request an MVA hearing. If the test shows .08 or above, the officer takes the driver's Maryland license at the scene and issues a 45-day temporary paper license. Suspension starts on the 46th day.

Under Noah's Law, any DUI conviction in Maryland requires the installation of an ignition interlock device. The device tests the driver's breath before the car will start. If alcohol above the set limit is detected, the car will not start. The Maryland MVA manages the interlock program. Frederick County DUI convictions fall under this requirement.

Frederick County Sheriff's Office Records

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD 21701 maintains arrest records and incident reports separate from the court clerk. The main number is 301-600-1046. For records specifically, call extension 112. These records are not part of the court system and require a Public Information Act request to access.

To request records from the Frederick County Sheriff, write a request that includes the incident date, location, and names of those involved. Mail it to: Frederick County Sheriff's Office, 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD 21701. Under Maryland law, the office has 30 days to respond. A local records check costs $25 through the Sheriff's Office. Accident reports in Frederick County can be obtained through BuyCrash.com, which is useful when a DUI case arose from a crash. The processing time for Public Information Act requests is up to 30 days.

The Sheriff's records and the court clerk's records are separate systems. For a full picture of a Frederick County DUI case, you may need records from both the Sheriff and the court clerk.

Note: If you need a comprehensive background check rather than a specific case file, contact the Maryland State Police rather than the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, as statewide criminal records are maintained at the state level.

Frederick County Drug Treatment Court

Frederick County operates a Circuit Drug Treatment Court that accepts some DUI defendants who have a diagnosed substance use disorder. The program focuses on treatment and supervision rather than jail time. Participants must complete counseling, submit to regular drug testing, and appear before the judge regularly. Those who finish the program successfully may avoid a standard conviction on their record. The court holds graduation ceremonies on a regular schedule.

Eligibility for Frederick County's drug treatment court depends on the nature of the charges, the defendant's prior record, and approval from the prosecutor. If a DUI case in Frederick County has a substance abuse component, an attorney can raise the question of drug court eligibility at an early court date. Contact the Circuit Court at 301-600-1976 for information about the program and how referrals work in Frederick County.

Expungement of Frederick County DUI Records

Some Frederick County DUI records can be expunged under Criminal Procedure §10-105. Cases that ended in dismissal or a not-guilty verdict are eligible for expungement right away. Cases that closed with a probation before judgment can be expunged after 15 years under changes that took effect October 1, 2024. A standard DUI conviction does not qualify for expungement under current Maryland law.

To file for expungement in Frederick County, go to the Clerk's Office at 100 West Patrick Street. Ask for an expungement petition form. You need the case number and the legal basis for your request. After filing, the State's Attorney has 30 days to object. If no objection is filed, the court reviews and may grant the petition. All agencies holding the record then receive orders to seal or destroy their copies. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services also receives the order and removes the record from their statewide database.

For guidance on what expungement covers, the People's Law Library DUI page explains the process in plain terms. Keep in mind that expungement of a Frederick County DUI court record does not affect the MVA's record of any license suspension or interlock requirement tied to that case.

Note: Expungement removes Frederick County DUI records from public court searches but does not erase all traces of the case from every government database, particularly those maintained by law enforcement and licensing agencies.

Nearby Counties

Frederick County is in central-western Maryland and borders several counties. DUI records from any of these counties are searchable through the same Maryland Judiciary Case Search system.