Access Gaithersburg Felony Records
Gaithersburg felony records are tied to the Montgomery County Circuit Court, which handles all felony prosecutions from this incorporated city of about 69,000 residents. Unlike many communities in Montgomery County, Gaithersburg has its own municipal police department separate from the county force. That means police records and court records come from two different agencies. Maryland's free Case Search tool covers court records online, and this page explains how to reach both systems along with what to expect from each.
Gaithersburg Overview
Gaithersburg Felony Records Overview
Gaithersburg is a city, not an unincorporated community. It has its own elected government and its own police department. This matters for records access because incidents that occur within Gaithersburg city limits are handled by Gaithersburg Police, not Montgomery County Police. The two agencies operate in the same area but respond to different geographic boundaries. You need to contact the right agency to get the right report.
Felony prosecutions from Gaithersburg still go to the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. The city has no criminal court of its own. All felony charges are filed at the county level regardless of which police agency made the arrest. So court records are always with Montgomery County, even for cases that Gaithersburg Police initiated.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search system at casesearch.courts.state.md.us covers all Montgomery County Circuit Court criminal records. Searches are free and return case-level data including charges, hearing history, and dispositions. This is the starting point for most felony record searches in Gaithersburg.
Note: Gaithersburg city limits do not cover all areas with a Gaithersburg mailing address. Some addresses use a Gaithersburg zip code but are actually outside the city in unincorporated Montgomery County. For those incidents, the responding agency would be Montgomery County Police, not Gaithersburg Police.
How to Search Gaithersburg Felony Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool is the best free starting point. Visit casesearch.courts.state.md.us and enter the person's last name. Case type filters let you narrow results to Circuit Court criminal cases. Each result shows the case number, charges, hearing dates, and final disposition. No account or password is required.
Results cap at 500 per search. Common names may produce a long list. Adding a middle name or filtering by filing year helps narrow things down. The case detail page shows each charge, the relevant statute, the plea or verdict, and the sentence if one was entered. Bond amounts and conditions also appear when they are part of the public case record.
The Case Search interface was updated February 5, 2024. The redesigned system is faster and displays more information per case. If you need actual documents rather than just case data, you must contact the Montgomery County Circuit Court clerk. The clerk's office is at 50 Maryland Avenue, Room 104, Rockville MD 20850, (240) 777-9400.
Note: Case Search results show court system data only. Police department records, which include incident reports and arrest reports, are held separately by Gaithersburg Police or Montgomery County Police and are not visible through Case Search.
Gaithersburg Police Department Records
Gaithersburg has its own municipal police department. This is different from many Montgomery County communities that rely solely on the county force. The Gaithersburg Police Department is at 14 Fulks Corner Avenue, Gaithersburg MD 20877. The main number is (301) 258-6400. The Records Division is at 2 N. Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg MD 20877.
To get a police report for an incident that happened within Gaithersburg city limits, you must contact Gaithersburg Police, not the Montgomery County Police Department. The process requires a written request, photo ID, and a description of the incident including the date, location, and report number if you have it. Fees vary depending on the type of report and the amount of material involved.
You can find records request information at gaithersburgmd.gov/services/records-request and information about the police department at gaithersburgmd.gov/government/police-department. Requests may take several business days to process. The department follows the Maryland Public Information Act, which requires responses within 10 business days.
For incidents that occurred outside Gaithersburg city limits but carry a Gaithersburg mailing address, contact the Montgomery County Police Department Records Center at 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg MD 20878, (240) 773-5330. If you are not sure which agency responded, call both and ask.
The screenshot above shows the Maryland Judiciary Case Search tool, which covers all Gaithersburg felony cases filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Records
All Gaithersburg felony cases go to the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. The court address is 50 Maryland Avenue, Room 104, Rockville MD 20850. The clerk's phone number is (240) 777-9400. Even though Gaithersburg has its own police, the court that handles felony cases is a county court, not a city court.
The clerk's office keeps all filed court records. Copies cost $0.50 per page. You can visit the courthouse in person to view records or order copies. Mail requests should include the case number, a description of what documents you need, your contact information, and payment for the estimated copy costs. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule.
Certified copies carry an additional fee and are used for official purposes like appeals and licensing applications. The clerk's staff can help you identify the correct case number if you know the defendant's name and approximate filing date. Maryland Rules 16-901 through 16-912 govern public access to all circuit court records. Most criminal case records are public once filed.
The screenshot above shows the Maryland Attorney General's MPIA information page, which covers public records rights applicable to Gaithersburg records requests.
What Gaithersburg Felony Records Contain
A felony case file starts when the State's Attorney files charges. The charging document lists each count, the code section, and the date of the alleged offense. Felony charges in Maryland are most often brought by grand jury indictment, though a criminal information filed by the prosecutor is also used in some cases.
After charging, the file grows with each step. It picks up initial appearance records, bail orders, scheduling notices, motions, and opposition filings. If a plea deal is reached, the agreement and the court's acceptance order go into the file. If the case goes to trial, transcripts and exhibit lists are added. Sentencing orders are the final entry in most cases and contain the complete terms imposed by the court.
For a complete Maryland criminal history beyond Montgomery County, contact the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) at (410) 764-4501. A personal background check costs $38. CJIS covers records from all Maryland jurisdictions and is the most thorough option for a complete statewide picture.
MPIA Rights in Gaithersburg
The Maryland Public Information Act applies to all government agencies in Gaithersburg. That includes the city police department, the county circuit court, and Montgomery County agencies. Any person can submit an MPIA request. You do not need to give a reason.
Written requests should clearly identify the record you want, the date range if relevant, and your contact information. Agencies respond within 10 business days. If they need more time, they must notify you in writing within that period. Fees are limited to actual copying costs and staff search time after the first two hours of effort.
For more on your MPIA rights, visit the Maryland Attorney General's MPIA page. The city of Gaithersburg handles general records requests through gaithersburgmd.gov. Montgomery County handles requests for county-level records at montgomerycountymd.gov.
Note: Because Gaithersburg has its own municipal government, some records that you would expect to get from the county are actually held by city departments. When in doubt, contact both and confirm which office has what you need.
Maryland Law and Expungement for Gaithersburg Cases
Maryland criminal law applies uniformly in Gaithersburg. Criminal Procedure section 10-101 defines key terms used in criminal record statutes. Section 10-109 governs release and use of criminal records. These provisions apply to all Montgomery County felony cases the same as anywhere else in the state.
Maryland's expungement law under Criminal Procedure sections 10-300 through 10-306 allows some felony convictions to be sealed. The standard waiting period is 15 years from the full close of the case, including completion of any sentence and probation. Not all felonies qualify. Senate Bill 432, effective October 1, 2025, updated eligibility rules for certain case types. Review current rules at the Maryland General Assembly website before filing.
Expungement petitions for Gaithersburg cases go to the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. The State's Attorney is notified and may object. If approved and no objection is sustained, the court seals the record from public access. Case Search results and clerk's office public terminals no longer show the case after a successful expungement.
Note: Maryland expungement affects state court records only. Federal records and some commercial background check databases may still reflect old charges even after a Maryland court seals them. Consult an attorney if you have questions about what expungement covers in your situation.
Montgomery County Records
Gaithersburg felony cases are prosecuted in Montgomery County Circuit Court. The county page has full details on the court, county police records, and all Montgomery County criminal case resources.
Nearby Maryland Cities
Other communities near Gaithersburg are served by Montgomery County courts. Each city has its own felony records page with local contact and access details.