Find Traffic Court Records in Kent County
Kent County traffic court records are maintained through the District 2 court in Chestertown and can be searched online through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This small Eastern Shore county handles traffic cases in a compact courthouse complex where the District Court and Circuit Court share the same address on North Cross Street. Records go back to 2000, and in-person access is available at the shared courthouse during regular business hours.
Kent County Overview
Kent County District Court
The District Court in Chestertown is part of District 2, which covers the Upper Shore region of Maryland. It handles all traffic citations issued in Kent County, including speeding tickets, reckless driving, DUI arrests, and related moving violations. The court is located at 103 N. Cross Street in downtown Chestertown, in the same building as the Circuit Court. This shared location is worth knowing if you need to visit in person, since both courts are accessible from the same entrance.
The clerk's office can help you look up a case, get copies of records, and find out about your court date. Walk-in service is available during business hours. Toll-free access is available for those calling from outside the local area.
| Address | 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620-1511 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-778-1830 |
| Toll-Free | 1-800-943-0033 |
| TTY | 1-800-735-2258 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Administrative Judge | Hon. John E. Nunn III |
| Clerk | Janelle C. Bailey |
Kent County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court shares the same building and address as the District Court in Chestertown. It handles appeals from District Court traffic decisions and more serious cases, including felony-level traffic charges. The criminal clerk's line is separate from the main Circuit Court number. If your case has moved to Circuit Court, or if you are appealing a District Court ruling, this is the office to contact. Certified copies of traffic records can also be obtained through the Circuit Court clerk.
| Address | 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | 410-778-7460 |
| Criminal Clerk | 410-778-7477 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Note: Both the District Court and Circuit Court are located at 103 N. Cross Street, so one visit to the Chestertown courthouse can address both District and Circuit Court matters.
Search Kent County Traffic Records Online
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the main online tool for Kent County traffic court records. It is free to use and available around the clock. You can search by the person's name, by case number, or by citation number. The results include the charge, the court location, hearing dates, case status, and the final outcome once the case is decided. Kent County records in the system go back to 2000.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search gives you access to District and Circuit Court records across Maryland, including all Kent County traffic cases filed from 2000 onward.
The official clerk page for Kent County provides current phone numbers, hours, and contact details for both courts at the Chestertown courthouse.
Records from before 2000 are not available online. For older cases, contact the Circuit Court clerk at 410-778-7460 or the criminal clerk at 410-778-7477. Older archived files may take a few extra business days to retrieve. A written request by mail or an in-person visit are the standard methods for accessing pre-2000 records.
Getting Copies of Traffic Court Records
To get a physical copy of a Kent County traffic court record, visit the clerk's window at 103 N. Cross Street in Chestertown. Have the case number or the full name of the person whose record you need. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 each. You can pay by cash or check at the clerk's window.
Written requests by mail are also accepted. There is no designated P.O. Box listed for the court, so address your request to the District Court or Circuit Court clerk directly at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. Include the person's full name, the approximate date of the case, and a check or money order for copy fees. Allow extra processing time when mailing, especially for remote Eastern Shore delivery.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office handles accident reports and incident reports separately from the court system. If you need an accident report tied to a traffic case, contact the Sheriff at 104 Vickers Drive Unit B, Chestertown, MD 21620. The fee for accident and incident reports from the Sheriff's Office is $5.00 each. This is a separate process from court record requests and must be handled through the Sheriff directly.
Note: Sheriff accident reports and court case records are two different documents, maintained by two different offices, so you may need to contact both offices if your situation involves both types of record.
Traffic Violations and Points in Kent County
Maryland's point system applies to all licensed drivers in the state, including those cited in Kent County. Points are assigned based on the type of violation and the outcome in court. A DUI conviction under Transportation Article Section 21-902 carries 12 points. Reckless driving under Section 21-901.1 carries 6 points. Driving on a suspended license under Section 16-303 adds 3 points. Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date.
Rural roads in Kent County, including Route 213 and Route 291, are common areas for speed enforcement. Speeding convictions add 1 to 5 points depending on severity. Even a single citation can affect your insurance rate if it results in points. If you receive a citation in Kent County and want to contest it, you must request a hearing before your court date. Do that by calling the District Court at 410-778-1830 or by visiting the clerk's office on North Cross Street.
The Maryland MVA tracks your total point count and notifies you when you approach suspension thresholds. Check your driving record at mva.maryland.gov to see your current status. If you are near the limit, even a minor violation can push you into suspension territory, so it may be worth requesting a hearing rather than simply paying the fine.
Legal Resources for Kent County Traffic Cases
Most people handle minor traffic cases without a lawyer, especially when the citation involves a small fine or one or two points. The Maryland courts self-help page at courts.state.md.us/district/selfhelp/traffic walks you through the process of requesting a hearing, understanding your charge, and knowing what to expect at court. The site is free and written in plain language.
The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org is another free resource with guides specific to Maryland traffic law. For more serious charges like DUI or driving while suspended, getting a lawyer before your hearing is generally a good idea. Maryland Legal Aid may be able to help if you qualify based on income. Ask the District Court clerk at 410-778-1830 for information on local legal aid resources available in the Upper Shore area.
Payment plans are available for fines of $150 or more. Use form DCA-131, which can be downloaded from the Maryland courts forms page at courts.state.md.us/district/forms or picked up in person at the clerk's window. Payment arrangements must be approved by the court and typically involve a small administrative fee.
Paying Traffic Fines in Kent County
Traffic fines from Kent County citations can be paid in person at the District Court on North Cross Street, online when the option is available, or by mail through the statewide Traffic Processing Center. The Traffic Processing Center address is P.O. Box 6676, Annapolis, MD 21401. You can also call 1-800-492-2656 for assistance with fine payments. If you choose to pay by mail, use a check or money order made out to the District Court of Maryland.
Do not ignore a citation. Failing to respond by your court date can result in a failure-to-appear charge, a bench warrant, and additional fines. It can also affect your ability to renew your vehicle registration or driver's license. If you lose your citation and cannot find your case number, call the District Court at 410-778-1830 and staff can look it up by name and date of birth.
Nearby Maryland Counties
Kent County is on the upper Eastern Shore of Maryland, bordered by Queen Anne's County and Cecil County. Find traffic court records for neighboring counties using the links below.