Find Felony Records in Ellicott City
Ellicott City felony records are maintained by Howard County, which governs this unincorporated community of about 75,000 people and also serves as the county seat. The Howard County Circuit Court, located right in Ellicott City, handles all felony prosecutions in the county. Howard County Police serve as the primary law enforcement agency. Maryland's free Case Search tool gives public access to criminal court records online, and this page walks through how to use it and what other options exist for accessing records tied to Ellicott City.
Ellicott City Overview
Ellicott City Felony Records Overview
Ellicott City is the county seat of Howard County but it is not an incorporated city. It has no separate government, no city police department, and no separate court. All services, including law enforcement and the court system, run through Howard County. Felony charges arising in Ellicott City are prosecuted in the Howard County Circuit Court, which sits in Ellicott City itself at 8360 Court Avenue.
This arrangement means that Ellicott City residents and cases are fully integrated into Howard County's records systems. There is no need to contact a city clerk or city police department. The Howard County Circuit Court clerk and the Howard County Police Records Division are the two main contacts for accessing felony records from this area.
Public felony records in Howard County follow the same statewide rules as all other Maryland counties. Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912 set the access standards. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system at casesearch.courts.state.md.us provides free online access to case-level data. Court documents themselves must be requested from the clerk's office.
Note: Because Ellicott City is the Howard County seat, many county-level records that reference "Howard County" will involve activity in or near Ellicott City. Court addresses and county addresses are often identical.
How to Search Ellicott City Felony Records Online
Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool to find felony cases tied to Ellicott City. The tool is free at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. Enter the last name of the person you are looking for. You can also search by case number if you have one. To filter for felonies specifically, choose "Circuit Court" as the court type and "Criminal" under case category.
The system returns up to 500 results. Each result shows the case number, filing date, charges, case status, and disposition. Click any result to see more detail including hearing dates, attorneys, and any orders entered. If a case has multiple charges, all counts show on the detail page.
The redesigned Case Search interface launched February 5, 2024 and offers cleaner navigation than the prior version. Some historical cases going back many years are in the system but may have limited detail. For full documents from older cases, contact the Circuit Court clerk directly at (410) 313-2111.
Note: Case Search shows court record summaries, not full documents. Copies of filings, transcripts, and exhibits must be requested from the Howard County Circuit Court clerk in person or by mail.
Howard County Police Records in Ellicott City
Howard County Police serve Ellicott City. The main police headquarters is at 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City MD 21043. The general number is (410) 313-2200. For records-related inquiries, call the Records Unit at (410) 313-3550.
To request a copy of a police report, contact the Records Division. You can visit in person or submit a written MPIA request by mail. Howard County Police follow the Maryland Public Information Act for all public records requests. Reports tied to active criminal investigations may be withheld until the case is resolved. Completed incident reports are generally releasable to involved parties and the public.
The Howard County Police website has information about submitting records requests. The website also has links to online crime maps, sex offender registry information, and community safety programs. Check the site before calling, since some common requests can be handled online.
The screenshot above shows the Howard County Police Department portal where Ellicott City residents can submit records requests.
Howard County Circuit Court Records
The Howard County Circuit Court is physically located in Ellicott City at 8360 Court Avenue, Ellicott City MD 21043. This is where all felony cases in the county are tried and all records are stored. The clerk's office number is (410) 313-2111. The State's Attorney's office is on the third floor of the same building and can be reached at (410) 313-3050.
The Circuit Court clerk maintains all case files. Copies of court documents cost $0.50 per page. You can request copies in person or by mail. When mailing a request, include the case number, a description of the documents you need, your contact information, and a check or money order for the estimated copy fee payable to the Circuit Court.
If you need certified copies, there is an additional certification fee. Certified copies carry the court's official seal and are used for legal purposes like appeals, immigration proceedings, or firearms restoration petitions. The clerk's staff can tell you the current fee when you call.
The screenshot above shows the Howard County Circuit Court page, the primary court of record for all Ellicott City felony cases.
The screenshot above shows the Maryland Judiciary Case Search interface covering all Howard County circuit court felony records.
What Ellicott City Felony Records Contain
A felony case file in Howard County starts with a charging document, either a grand jury indictment or a criminal information. This document lists each count, the date of the alleged offense, and the Maryland statute violated. From there, the file grows with each step of the case.
Records in the file may include bail review orders, motions to suppress, discovery requests, plea agreement documents, trial transcripts, witness lists, verdict forms, and sentencing orders. The sentencing order is the final document that reflects the outcome. It shows whether the defendant received a prison term, probation, a suspended sentence, fines, or community service.
For a complete criminal history that goes beyond a single case, contact the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) at (410) 764-4501. A personal history check costs $38. CJIS holds statewide records from all Maryland jurisdictions, not just Howard County. This is more thorough than a case-by-case court search.
MPIA Rights for Ellicott City Residents
The Maryland Public Information Act gives you the right to request records from any public agency. Police reports, court filings, and most government records are public by default. To request records, submit a written request to the agency that holds them. For police reports, that is Howard County Police. For court records, it is the Circuit Court clerk.
Agencies have 10 business days to respond to an MPIA request. If they need more time, they must send written notice within that window. They can charge for copying and for staff search time beyond the first two hours. The Maryland Attorney General's MPIA page has complaint procedures and guidance on what to do if your request is denied or delayed.
Howard County also has a general public information request page at howardcountymd.gov. Some county departments handle routine records requests through online forms, which can be faster than mailing a formal MPIA request.
Maryland Felony Laws and Expungement
All Maryland felony laws apply in Ellicott City. The state criminal code, procedures, and rules are uniform. Maryland Criminal Procedure Article section 10-101 defines key terms used in criminal record law. Section 10-109 governs how criminal records are released and used. These apply to all Howard County felony cases the same as anywhere else in Maryland.
Maryland allows expungement of some felony records under Criminal Procedure sections 10-300 through 10-306. The standard waiting period for felonies is 15 years from the end of the case, including completion of any sentence and probation. Some felony offenses cannot be expunged under any circumstances. Senate Bill 432, passed in 2024 and effective October 1, 2025, changed eligibility rules for some case types. Check the current law through the Maryland General Assembly website before filing a petition.
Expungement petitions are filed at the Howard County Circuit Court in Ellicott City. The court notifies the State's Attorney, who has the right to object. If the petition is approved, the records are sealed from public view. The process usually takes a few months from filing to final order.
Note: Expungement seals records from public access but does not eliminate them from all law enforcement databases. Federal records and certain background check systems may still retain information after a Maryland expungement.
Howard County Records
Ellicott City is the Howard County seat, and all felony records from this community are Howard County records. The Howard County page has full details on the circuit court, police records, and all county-level criminal case resources.
Nearby Maryland Cities
Communities near Ellicott City are served by Howard County or neighboring county courts. Each qualifying city has its own felony records page with local access details.