Prince George's County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In Prince George's County?
A search warrant in Prince George's County is a legally binding court order that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specifically designated location and seize particular items or evidence described within the warrant. These judicial directives are issued in accordance with the Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 1-203, which establishes the legal framework for search warrants throughout the state.
Search warrants in Prince George's County must be:
- Based on probable cause
- Supported by oath or affirmation
- Particularly describing the place to be searched and items to be seized
- Issued by a qualified judicial officer
The legal foundation for search warrants stems from the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 26 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights, both of which protect citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. These constitutional provisions require that warrants be issued only upon probable cause.
Search warrants differ significantly from other types of warrants issued in Prince George's County:
- Arrest warrants authorize law enforcement to take a specific person into custody
- Bench warrants are court orders issued when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing
- Civil warrants relate to non-criminal matters such as evictions or civil judgments
The Prince George's County Circuit Court and District Court maintain jurisdiction over the issuance of search warrants within county boundaries, pursuant to Maryland law.
Are Warrants Public Records In Prince George's County?
The public accessibility of warrants in Prince George's County follows a nuanced framework established by the Maryland Public Information Act § 4-101. Under this statute, government records are presumptively open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
Warrant accessibility depends on several key factors:
- Warrant status (active vs. executed)
- Warrant type (search, arrest, bench)
- Case status (pending vs. closed)
- Applicable exemptions under state law
Active warrants in Prince George's County are generally not accessible to the public. This restriction serves important law enforcement purposes, including:
- Preventing flight by subjects of warrants
- Protecting officer safety during warrant execution
- Preserving the integrity of ongoing investigations
Once executed, search warrant returns (documents listing items seized) typically become public records after filing with the court, pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 1-203(e). However, certain exemptions may apply under the Maryland Public Information Act, including:
- Records that would interfere with ongoing investigations
- Records that would endanger an individual's life or safety
- Records containing confidential source information
- Records specifically protected by other laws
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system provides limited public access to information about executed warrants that have resulted in charges, though the warrant documents themselves may not be viewable online.
How to Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Prince George's County?
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Prince George's County may utilize several official channels. The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office maintains the primary responsibility for warrant service within the county.
To check for active warrants, members of the public may:
- Contact the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office Warrant/Fugitive Division directly:
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office
5303 Chrysler Way
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-780-8600
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office
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Utilize the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, which provides online access to court records that may indicate warrant status.
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Contact the Prince George's County District Court:
Prince George's County District Court
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-298-4000
Maryland District Court
- Consult with a licensed attorney who can conduct a confidential warrant search on behalf of a client.
When making inquiries about possible warrants, individuals should be prepared to provide:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number (for verification purposes)
- Photo identification
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services also maintains records that may indicate warrant status through their Central Records Division.
How To Check for Warrants in Prince George's County for Free in 2026
Members of the public currently have access to several no-cost methods to verify warrant status in Prince George's County. These free resources remain available to county residents and interested parties.
The primary free method is utilizing the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system:
- Visit the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website
- Accept the terms and conditions of use
- Enter the name of the person for whom you are searching
- Select "Prince George's County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
- Review the results for any active case information that may indicate a warrant
Additional no-cost warrant verification methods include:
- In-person inquiry at the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Telephone inquiry to the Sheriff's Office Warrant Division at 301-780-8600
- Consultation with the Prince George's County Public Defender's Office for eligible individuals:
Prince George's County Public Defender's Office
5303 Chrysler Way, Suite 100
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-952-2150
Maryland Office of the Public Defender
When utilizing these free resources, individuals should understand that:
- Not all warrant information may be publicly accessible
- Some warrants may not appear in public databases
- Verification through multiple sources may be necessary for complete information
What Types of Warrants In Prince George's County
Prince George's County courts issue several distinct types of warrants, each serving specific legal purposes within the criminal justice system. These warrants are authorized under various provisions of Maryland law.
The primary warrant types issued in Prince George's County include:
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Search Warrants: Authorized under Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 1-203, these warrants permit law enforcement to search specified locations for evidence of criminal activity.
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Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime, these warrants authorize law enforcement to take the named person into custody.
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Bench Warrants: Court-ordered warrants issued when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing or violates court orders.
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Fugitive Warrants: Issued when an individual is wanted in another jurisdiction and is believed to be in Prince George's County.
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Child Support Warrants: Specialized warrants issued for failure to comply with court-ordered child support obligations.
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Civil Warrants: Non-criminal warrants related to civil matters such as evictions or civil judgments.
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Body Attachment Warrants: Issued in civil contempt cases, authorizing the detention of an individual who has failed to appear for court proceedings.
Each warrant type follows specific procedural requirements and must meet legal standards established by Maryland law and judicial precedent.
What Warrants in Prince George's County Contain
Warrants issued in Prince George's County must contain specific information to be legally valid under Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 1-203. These documents follow standardized formats established by the Maryland Judiciary.
A properly executed warrant in Prince George's County typically contains:
- Court identification information (issuing court name and location)
- Case number and related identifiers
- Date and time of issuance
- Name and description of the subject (for arrest warrants)
- Specific address or detailed description of premises to be searched (for search warrants)
- Particular description of items to be seized (for search warrants)
- Criminal charges and statutory citations
- Statement of probable cause supporting the warrant
- Signature of the issuing judicial officer
- Execution timeframe and restrictions
- Return requirements (documentation of warrant execution)
Search warrants specifically must include:
- Detailed description of the property or place to be searched
- Specific enumeration of items subject to seizure
- Factual basis establishing probable cause
- Time limitations for execution (typically within 15 days)
Arrest warrants must contain:
- Full name of the subject (and aliases if known)
- Physical description of the subject
- Last known address
- Criminal charges with statutory citations
- Bail information or detention instructions
The Maryland Rules of Criminal Procedure provide additional requirements for warrant content and execution procedures that must be strictly followed by law enforcement agencies in Prince George's County.
Who Issues Warrants In Prince George's County
In Prince George's County, the authority to issue warrants is vested exclusively in qualified judicial officers as prescribed by Maryland law. This authority derives from the Maryland Constitution and statutory provisions governing judicial powers.
The following judicial officers possess warrant-issuing authority in Prince George's County:
- Circuit Court Judges: The 23 judges of the Prince George's County Circuit Court have full authority to issue all types of warrants within their jurisdiction.
Prince George's County Circuit Court
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-952-3655
Prince George's County Circuit Court
- District Court Judges: The judges of the Prince George's County District Court regularly issue warrants for matters within their court's jurisdiction.
Prince George's County District Court
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-298-4000
Maryland District Court
- Court Commissioners: These judicial officers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to review and issue certain types of warrants, particularly in emergency situations.
Prince George's County Commissioner's Office
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-952-4080
Maryland Court Commissioners
The warrant issuance process requires:
- Sworn application from law enforcement or other authorized parties
- Review of probable cause by the judicial officer
- Determination that legal standards have been met
- Proper documentation and record-keeping
Judicial officers must adhere to constitutional requirements and Maryland Rules of Criminal Procedure when issuing warrants to ensure legal validity and protect individual rights.
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Prince George's County
Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Prince George's County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The process varies depending on whether the inquiry relates to oneself or another individual.
To locate information about outstanding warrants:
- Sheriff's Office Warrant Check: The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office maintains the county's warrant database and can provide information about active warrants.
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office
5303 Chrysler Way
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-780-8600
Prince George's County Sheriff's Office
- Maryland Judiciary Case Search: This online database provides information about court cases that may indicate warrant status.
Access the Maryland Judiciary Case Search and follow these steps:
- Enter the name of the person
- Select Prince George's County as the jurisdiction
- Review case information for indications of active warrants
- Court Records Request: Submit a formal records request to the Prince George's County Circuit Court or District Court.
Prince George's County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
14735 Main Street, Room D1022
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-952-3318
Prince George's County Circuit Court
- Maryland State Police: For statewide warrant information, contact the Maryland State Police Central Records Division.
Maryland State Police Headquarters
1201 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208
410-653-4500
Maryland State Police
When conducting warrant searches, requestors should be prepared to provide:
- Full legal name of the subject
- Date of birth
- Additional identifying information
- Proper identification if requesting in person
How To Check Federal Warrants In Prince George's County
Federal warrants operate under a separate system from state and county warrants in Prince George's County. These warrants are issued by federal courts and executed by federal law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, or other federal authorities.
To check for federal warrants that may be active in Prince George's County:
- Contact the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland:
U.S. District Court - Greenbelt Division
6500 Cherrywood Lane
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-344-0660
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Marshals Service: The U.S. Marshals maintain information about federal warrants and fugitives.
U.S. Marshals Service - District of Maryland
6500 Cherrywood Lane, Suite 200
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-344-2800
U.S. Marshals Service
- Federal Bureau of Investigation: The FBI Baltimore Field Office covers Prince George's County and can provide information about certain federal warrants.
FBI Baltimore Field Office
2600 Lord Baltimore Drive
Baltimore, MD 21244
410-265-8080
FBI Baltimore
- PACER System: The Public Access to Court Electronic Records system provides online access to federal court records, though direct warrant information may be limited.
Access PACER and follow these steps:
- Register for an account
- Search for cases by name
- Review case information for indications of federal warrants
Federal warrant information is subject to restrictions under federal law, and certain information may not be publicly accessible due to ongoing investigations or national security concerns.
How Long Do Warrants Last In Prince George's County?
The duration of warrants in Prince George's County varies by warrant type and is governed by Maryland law and judicial practice. Unlike some legal documents, most warrants do not automatically expire after a set period.
Duration guidelines for different warrant types:
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Arrest Warrants: Pursuant to Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 2-105, arrest warrants generally remain active until:
- The warrant is executed (the person is arrested)
- The warrant is recalled by the issuing court
- The underlying case is resolved through other means
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Search Warrants: Under Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 1-203(a)(4), search warrants must be executed within 15 days of issuance. After this period, the warrant becomes invalid and must be returned to the issuing court.
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Bench Warrants: These court-ordered warrants typically remain active indefinitely until the subject appears before the court or the warrant is recalled.
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Civil Warrants: Duration varies based on the specific type of civil process, with some having statutory time limitations.
Factors that may affect warrant duration include:
- Statute of limitations for the underlying offense
- Court policies regarding periodic warrant review
- Case status changes
- Jurisdictional considerations
The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office maintains active warrants in their system until execution or judicial recall, regardless of the age of the warrant. This practice is consistent with Maryland law, which does not establish automatic expiration dates for most warrant types.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Prince George's County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Prince George's County varies based on several factors, including case urgency, judicial availability, and the complexity of the investigation. The process is governed by Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 1-203 and established court procedures.
Under normal circumstances, the search warrant process follows this timeline:
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Preparation Phase: 1-24 hours
- Law enforcement prepares the warrant application
- Supporting affidavit documenting probable cause is drafted
- Legal review may be conducted by prosecutor's office
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Judicial Review: 1-24 hours
- Warrant application is presented to a judge or court commissioner
- Judicial officer reviews for probable cause and legal sufficiency
- Questions may be posed to the applicant under oath
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Issuance: Immediate upon approval
- Warrant is signed by the judicial officer
- Official court seal or certification is applied
- Warrant becomes legally executable
In emergency situations, expedited procedures allow for faster processing:
- After-hours warrants may be obtained through on-duty court commissioners
- Telephonic warrants may be authorized in certain circumstances
- Electronic submission systems facilitate faster review in urgent cases
The Prince George's County Circuit Court and District Court maintain judicial officers available to review warrant applications during regular business hours. The Court Commissioner's Office provides 24-hour coverage for emergency warrant requests.
Once issued, search warrants in Prince George's County must be executed within 15 days, after which they become invalid and must be returned to the issuing court.
Search Warrant Records in Prince George's County
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services