St. Mary's County DUI Records Search

St. Mary's County DUI records are filed with the Circuit Court and District Court in Leonardtown and are available to the public through free online search tools and in-person requests. Whether you are searching for a specific DUI or DWI case, checking the status of an active matter, or need copies of court documents, this guide walks through how records are maintained in St. Mary's County, where to go, and what it costs to obtain what you need.

Searching DUI Records in St. Mary's County

The best starting point for any DUI record search in St. Mary's County is Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This free online system covers criminal records in St. Mary's County going back to March 6, 2000. Civil records go back to July 1, 1997. DUI and DWI cases appear under the criminal case category. You can search by the defendant's full name or a specific case number. Results show the charges filed, all docket entries, hearing dates, and the final outcome.

When searching by name, results may include multiple people with the same name from across Maryland. Filtering by St. Mary's County and adding a date of birth helps narrow the results. If you already have the case number, a direct lookup is faster and more precise. Case Search data is updated frequently, so active St. Mary's County DUI cases usually appear within one to two business days of a filing.

Case Search shows case-level data. It does not provide the actual documents, such as the charging statement, motions, or the judge's written order. To get those, you need to request copies from the clerk's office. Free inspection of physical files is available at the courthouse. You can sit and review a case file at no cost during business hours without paying copy fees.

St. Mary's County Court Locations

Two courts in Leonardtown handle DUI cases filed in St. Mary's County. The Circuit Court takes the more serious cases, including jury trial requests and felony DUI matters. The District Court handles the bulk of misdemeanor DUI and DWI filings. Both courts are in Leonardtown and share similar business hours.

The Circuit Court for St. Mary's County is at 41605 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. You can also use the mailing address at P.O. Box 676, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Phone: 301-475-7844. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Clerk Susan L. Hange runs the office. The email address is stmarysclerk@mdcourts.gov. This is where you go for copies of Circuit Court DUI records, certified documents, and older case files.

The District Court for St. Mary's County is at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, P.O. Box 1509, Leonardtown, MD 20650-5831. Phone: 301-880-2700. Toll-free: 1-800-943-0091. Hours are also Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Most first-time DUI hearings in St. Mary's County start in this court.

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is at 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Phone: 301-475-8008, extension 112 for records. The Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and police reports through the Maryland Public Information Act process.

What St. Mary's County DUI Records Contain

Court records and arrest records are not the same thing, and they come from different places in St. Mary's County. Knowing the difference helps you request the right records from the right office.

Court records from the St. Mary's County Circuit Court or District Court include the charging document, all docket entries, pretrial motions, any evidence rulings, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders. These records document everything that happened in the courtroom from the day charges were filed to the final disposition. They are public and open to anyone. You do not have to be a party to the case to review or request them.

This resource covers how criminal records, including DUI filings, are organized and accessed in St. Mary's County.

Arrest records come from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office. These records include the police report, the arrest report, booking information, and any field notes from the arrest. They are separate from court records and require an MPIA request to the Sheriff's Office. Processing takes up to 30 days. The Sheriff's Office also maintains an inmate lookup tool online for current custody information.

Note: A $7.50 search fee per name applies to record requests at the St. Mary's County Circuit Court, in addition to copy fees of $0.50 per page.

Requesting Copies in St. Mary's County

In-person requests for DUI records in St. Mary's County are handled at the Circuit Court at 41605 Courthouse Drive during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and the subject's full name and date of birth. If you have a case number, bring that too. Staff will pull the file and make copies. Pay the $7.50 search fee plus $0.50 per page for copies. Certified documents cost an additional $5.00.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Circuit Court at P.O. Box 676, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate case date, a list of documents you want, and whether you need certification. Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send a check or money order for the applicable fees, payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court. Allow 10 to 15 business days for the office to process and mail your request.

The District Court directory for St. Mary's County provides contact details and location information for the court that handles most DUI case filings.

Maryland DUI Laws and St. Mary's County Penalties

DUI cases in St. Mary's County are prosecuted under Maryland Transportation Article §21-902. This law sets the legal BAC limit at .08 for DUI and .07 for DWI. It also covers impairment by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. Every DUI case filed in St. Mary's County references the relevant subsection of this statute on the charging document.

A first DUI conviction in Maryland carries up to one year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. The court assesses 12 points on the driver's license, which can trigger a six-month revocation. A second DUI offense raises the stakes significantly: up to two years in prison with a five-day mandatory minimum, fines up to $2,000, and license revocation for up to one year. Two DUI convictions within five years also require mandatory ignition interlock under Noah's Law. The DWI charge is treated less severely at first offense, with up to two months in jail and up to a $500 fine, but second offenses carry up to one year. The Maryland People's Law Library offers a plain-language breakdown of DUI and DWI law for anyone trying to understand how these cases work.

St. Mary's County Drug Court Programs

St. Mary's County operates both an Adult Drug Court and a Juvenile Drug Court through the Circuit Court. These programs accept participants who face criminal charges tied to substance use, including DUI-related offenses. The goal is to provide structured treatment rather than incarceration alone. Participants appear in court regularly, undergo drug testing, and complete required treatment hours.

Those who finish the adult program successfully may avoid a conviction or receive reduced sentences. Graduation ceremonies mark the end of each cohort. Participation in drug court creates its own court record in St. Mary's County. Program enrollment, compliance reports, and completion status are all part of the docket and visible in Case Search. If someone you are researching had their St. Mary's County DUI case redirected to drug court, the docket entries will reflect that path.

Expungement of DUI Records in St. Mary's County

St. Mary's County residents may be able to clear certain DUI records through expungement. The governing statute is Maryland Criminal Procedure §10-105. Cases dismissed, acquitted, or nolle prosequied are eligible for expungement, typically with little or no waiting period. Cases that ended with probation before judgment became eligible after 15 years under a change in Maryland law effective October 1, 2024. Straight DUI convictions are not eligible for expungement under current state law.

To file for expungement in St. Mary's County, submit a Petition for Expungement to the Circuit Court at 41605 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown. The State's Attorney receives notice of the petition and can object. If the petition is granted, the case is removed from public view in Case Search and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services updates its statewide criminal history database to reflect the expungement. Contact the St. Mary's County Circuit Court at 301-475-7844 to ask about forms and the current process.

Nearby Counties

St. Mary's County sits at the southern tip of Maryland. These neighboring counties may hold DUI records for incidents that occurred near the county line.