St. Mary's County Traffic Court Records
St. Mary's County traffic court records are held at two Leonardtown courthouses: the District Court on Leonard Hall Drive and the Circuit Court on Courthouse Drive. Both are accessible through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for records going back to 2000. This page explains how to find records, what each court office handles, how to reach the clerk by phone or in person, and what transit options exist if you need to get to the courthouse.
St. Mary's County Overview
Search St. Mary's Traffic Court Records Online
Start with the Maryland Judiciary Case Search to find St. Mary's County traffic cases. The system is free and does not require an account. You can search by name, case number, or the citation number printed on your ticket.
Records from 2000 forward are in the online system. Results include the charge description, the scheduled or past hearing date, the case outcome, and any fines or license points involved. Both open and resolved cases appear. The system updates throughout the business day as courts process new filings and payments.
For a broader look at court services, the Maryland Judiciary website links to court schedules, forms, and local contact pages for every county in the state.
The Maryland Judiciary homepage is also useful if you need to find the right forms or check whether your hearing date has changed.
Note: Camera citations from automated speed enforcement systems in school zones or work zones are civil penalties and do not appear in the Case Search database.
St. Mary's County District Court
The District Court in Leonardtown is the main venue for traffic cases in St. Mary's County. It handles payable citations, must-appear charges, DUI cases, driving on a suspended license, and other traffic-related criminal matters. The court also processes fine payments and handles requests for continuances or waiver hearings.
| Address | 23110 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 301-880-2700 |
| Toll-Free | 1-800-943-0091 |
| TTY | 1-800-735-2258 |
| Admin. Judge | Hon. Kenneth A. Talley |
| Clerk | Markisha Gross |
| Commissioner | Megan Harmon-Cooley |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
The District Court is part of Maryland's District 4, which covers Southern Maryland. The commissioner handles initial appearances and bail reviews, including for serious traffic charges that come in after hours.
Note: If you cannot drive to the courthouse, the St. Mary's Transit System runs routes between Lexington Park and Leonardtown that stop near the court complex on Leonard Hall Drive.
Getting to the Courthouse by Transit
St. Mary's County is served by the St. Mary's Transit System, a public bus service that connects the main population centers in the county. Routes run from Lexington Park to Leonardtown, passing through the courthouse area. This is useful if your license is suspended and you need to appear in court or pay a fine in person.
Check the transit website for current schedules and route maps. Schedules can change seasonally, and some routes run on reduced service on certain days. Call the transit office directly if you need to plan a trip around a specific court time, since buses run on a set schedule that may not align perfectly with your hearing.
Parking is available near the courthouse complex if you drive. The lot at Leonard Hall Drive is the most convenient for District Court business.
Circuit Court for Traffic Records
The St. Mary's County Circuit Court handles serious traffic matters and cases appealed from District Court. It also holds older records that are not in the online system. The Circuit Court is a short distance from the District Court in Leonardtown.
| Address | 41605 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 301-475-7844 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
The Circuit Court at courts.state.md.us provides additional clerk contact information and details about record access in St. Mary's County.
The Circuit Court complex in Leonardtown is the main hub for serious traffic cases and long-term records storage in St. Mary's County.
How to Get Copies of Traffic Records
You can get copies of St. Mary's County traffic court records in person at either court office, by mail, or by using the online case search to print basic case information. Certified copies are only available from the clerk's office directly.
Standard copy fees apply. Regular copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 or more. Case jacket copies may run $1.00 per page. Bring the case number when you visit. If you only have a name, staff can search but it takes longer, especially for common names.
Mail requests are accepted at both the District Court and Circuit Court offices. Write a brief letter describing what you need, include the case number or full name and approximate case date, and attach a check or money order for the estimated fee. The office will call or write back if the cost is different from your estimate.
Note: For certified copies needed in legal proceedings, confirm with the receiving court or agency what level of certification they require before ordering.
St. Mary's County Traffic Violations and Points
All traffic convictions in St. Mary's County carry points under Maryland's statewide system, tracked by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. The number of points depends on the charge. Driving under the influence 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 to your record.
Points do not reset when you move counties. They follow the driver's license. At 5 to 7 points, the MVA sends a warning. At 8 to 11, a hearing is required. At 12 or more, the license is revoked. Points remain on record for two years from the date of the violation.
Unpaid fines lead to a license suspension through the MVA. The court reports unpaid fines to the MVA after a set period. If your license is already suspended for this reason, you must pay the outstanding balance plus a reinstatement fee through the MVA before driving again.
Online Resolution Options
Some St. Mary's County citations can be handled through Maryland Online Resolutions (MDOR). Enter your citation number on the MDOR site to check whether your case qualifies. If it does, you can pay, request a trial, or ask for a waiver hearing without visiting the courthouse.
Must-appear charges always require an in-person court date. MDOR will not allow online resolution for those cases. If you are unsure whether your charge is payable or must-appear, check the bottom of your citation or call the District Court at 301-880-2700.
For fines of $150 or more, you may qualify for a payment plan. Use form DCA-131 from the District Court forms page or pick one up at the clerk window. Payment plans must be approved and require consistent monthly payments.
Legal Resources for St. Mary's County
The People's Law Library covers traffic law in Maryland in plain language. It explains what different charges mean, how points work, and what your options are if you want to contest a citation. The library is free and accessible online.
The District Court traffic self-help page explains the difference between payable and must-appear charges and outlines the steps for requesting a hearing or a continuance.
Note: The People's Law Library provides legal information only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed Maryland attorney on specific cases.
Nearby Maryland Counties
St. Mary's County is in Southern Maryland. Its neighboring counties are part of the same court district.