Prince George's County Traffic Court Records
Prince George's County traffic court records go back to 1982, making this one of the oldest digitized court record systems in Maryland. The county runs two District Court locations and a busy Circuit Court, all linked through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This page covers how to find records, where to go in person, what each office handles, and how fees and copies work in this large suburban county.
Prince George's County Overview
Search Prince George's Traffic Court Records Online
The fastest way to find traffic court records in Prince George's County is through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This free tool covers both District Court and Circuit Court cases. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Records go back to 1982 for this county, which is among the longest histories in the state.
The case search shows the charge, the court date, the outcome, and any fines or points assessed. Open and closed cases both appear. You do not need to create an account or pay to view basic case data.
The Maryland Judiciary homepage provides links to court calendars, forms, and local court contact information in addition to the case search tool.
The Maryland Judiciary homepage covers court news, schedules, and links to each court location across the state.
Note: Camera-issued traffic citations from speed or red-light cameras are not part of the court case system and will not appear in Case Search results.
District Court Locations in Prince George's County
Prince George's County has two District Court locations. Which one handles your case depends on where the incident occurred. Both locations share the same hours and use the same case search system, but they are separate courthouses with separate clerk offices.
The Upper Marlboro location is inside the main courthouse complex and serves the southern and central parts of the county. The Hyattsville location serves the northern part of the county, including areas closer to the Washington, D.C. border. If you are not sure which location has your case, search online first using the case number on your citation.
Upper Marlboro District Court
| Address | 14735 Main Street, Suite 173B, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 301-298-4000 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Open Cases | Room 170B |
| Closed Cases | Room 359B |
Hyattsville District Court
| Address | 4990 Rhode Island Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 301-298-4200 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
Note: The District Court computer system at the Upper Marlboro location contains statewide District Court case information, so staff there can help locate records from other Maryland jurisdictions as well.
Circuit Court Traffic Records
The Prince George's County Circuit Court handles serious traffic matters, including cases that were appealed from District Court and cases involving severe charges such as manslaughter by motor vehicle. The Circuit Court also holds older criminal and traffic records dating back to 1977.
| Address | 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | 301-952-3318 |
| Criminal Clerk | 301-952-3344 |
| Civil Clerk | 301-952-3240 |
| Clerk of Court | Mahasin El Amin |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
If you need records from the Circuit Court in person, go to Room 167M in the New Courthouse wing for criminal records. Juvenile records are handled at Room 165M on the first floor. These are separate from the District Court clerk windows in the same building complex.
Note: Circuit Court records from 1977 onward are available, making this one of the deeper local archives in the Maryland court system.
How to Get Copies of Traffic Court Records
You can request copies of Prince George's County traffic court records in person, by mail, or online. Each method works for different needs. Online is fastest for basic case info. In-person is best if you need certified copies the same day.
For case jackets and full file documents, the fee is $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 or more depending on the document. Regular uncertified copies cost $0.50 per page for standard court documents. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff can search by name, but a case number speeds things up significantly.
Mail requests take longer. Send a written request with the case number, the party name, and your contact information to the appropriate clerk office. Include a check or money order for the estimated copy cost.
Note: If you need copies for a legal matter, ask specifically for a certified copy since plain photocopies may not be accepted by other agencies or courts.
Traffic Violations and Points in Prince George's County
Maryland uses a statewide points system. All traffic convictions in Prince George's County carry points assessed by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Points follow the driver, not the county. Getting a ticket here affects your license the same way a ticket anywhere in Maryland would.
Common charges and their point values come from state law. Driving under the influence under Maryland Transportation Article Section 21-902 carries 12 points. Driving while suspended under Section 16-303 carries 3 points. Reckless driving under Section 21-901.1 carries 6 points. These are among the most serious moving violations in the state system.
At 5 to 7 points, the MVA sends a warning letter. At 8 to 11 points, a driver must attend a hearing. At 12 or more points, the license is revoked. Points stay on record for two years from the date of the violation. Prepaid fines do not generate points in most cases, but must-appear charges require a court appearance before the case resolves.
The District Court traffic self-help page explains how to handle must-appear charges, request a trial date, and understand your options if you want to contest a citation.
The traffic self-help page covers the difference between payable and must-appear tickets and explains what happens if you miss a court date.
Online Resolution for Prince George's County Citations
Some traffic citations in Maryland can be resolved through Maryland Online Resolutions (MDOR). This tool lets you pay fines, request a trial, or request a waiver hearing without going to the courthouse. Not all citation types are eligible, and eligibility depends on both the charge and the court location.
To use MDOR, you need the citation number from your ticket. The system will tell you if online resolution is available. If it is not, you will need to handle the matter by mail or in person at one of the District Court locations.
Note: Must-appear charges cannot be resolved through MDOR and always require a court appearance in Prince George's County.
Payment Plans and Fine Information
Prince George's County traffic fines follow state guidelines. If you cannot pay a fine in full, you may request a payment plan for amounts of $150 or more. The form to use is DCA-131, available at the clerk's office or through the Maryland District Court forms page. Payment plans must be approved by the court and require regular payments to stay in good standing.
Fines left unpaid can lead to a license suspension through the MVA. The court notifies the MVA when fines are not paid. Once a suspension is in place, you must resolve the outstanding balance and pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back. This is a separate process from resolving the original traffic case.
Historical Prince George's County Traffic Records
Prince George's County has online records going back to 1982. That is earlier than most Maryland counties. Older records from the 1970s may exist in paper form at the Circuit Court. The Maryland State Archives also holds some older court records for historical or genealogical research.
For records older than what appears in Case Search, contact the Circuit Court clerk directly at 301-952-3318. Staff can tell you whether older records exist and in what format. Some older case files were scanned; others remain in paper storage.
Note: The Maryland State Archives does not handle current traffic cases but can assist with research on records that predate the online case system.
Cities in Prince George's County
Bowie is the largest city in Prince George's County and the only city in the county with its own traffic court records page.
Nearby Maryland Counties
Prince George's County borders several other counties. Each has its own District Court and traffic records system.