The Maryland Criminal History Record Policy is a set of guidelines implemented by the state to manage and maintain criminal history records effectively. These records play a crucial role in the criminal justice system as they provide valuable information regarding an individual's past criminal activities, convictions, and involvement with the legal system. The Maryland Criminal History Record Policy aims to ensure accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive criminal history records. This policy governs the collection, storage, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal records by various law enforcement agencies, courts, correctional facilities, and other authorized entities in the state. Different types of Maryland Criminal History Record Policies include: 1. Arrest Records Policy: This policy deals with the procedures followed when an individual is arrested, including the recording of personal details, offense committed, charges filed, and subsequent outcomes. It outlines the responsible agencies and their roles in maintaining these records accurately. 2. Conviction Records Policy: This policy focuses on the recording, storage, and retrieval of information related to individuals who have been convicted of criminal offenses. It ensures that convictions are appropriately documented and available for use by law enforcement, courts, and other relevant entities. 3. Expungement Policy: The expungement policy outlines the process to erase or seal certain criminal records under specific circumstances. It specifies the eligibility criteria, procedures, and authorities involved in granting an expungement request to provide individuals with a fresh start by removing certain offenses from their criminal history records. 4. Access and Release Policy: This policy regulates who can access criminal history records and under what circumstances. It defines the entities that are authorized to request and receive such records, such as law enforcement agencies, employers, licensing boards, and the public. It also outlines the procedures to be followed when releasing records to ensure privacy and data protection. 5. Record Retention and Destruction Policy: This policy establishes guidelines for the retention and destruction of criminal history records to maintain data integrity and ensure compliance with relevant legal requirements. It specifies the length of time records should be retained and the methods of secure destruction once they are no longer required to be stored. It is important to note that these policies are subject to periodic updates and revisions to adapt to changes in the legal landscape and technological advancements. The Maryland Criminal History Record Policy ensures that criminal history records are handled meticulously, fostering transparency, accuracy, and fairness in the administration of justice within the state.