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Legal Information

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1. An item which was stolen from my home has been found in a pawn shop. How do I get it back?

The item must first be reported as a stolen item to a law enforcement agency. When there is a report on file the Property Management Unit will notify the pawn shop to hold the item, then a deputy sheriff may retrieve it and continue the investigation.

2. How do I find information about legal matters relating to the Harford County Public School system?

You can call the Board of Education at 410-838-7300. You will also find information on their website.
Board of Education

3. What do I do if I have a service complaint or faulty materials?

For any matter relating to consumer complaints about services rendered by someone or purchases made of materials that were faulty are referred to, please contact: Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's Office at 410-528-8662. Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney Gener

4. How do I find information about criminal activity?

Any matter that appears to involve suspected or actual criminal activity that is presently taking place (i.e., the caller is in danger or has a question about whether something may be illegal such as vehicular parking regulations) are referred to the Sheriff's Department. You can reach them by phone at 410-838-6600 or on their website. Sheriff's Office

5. Are there any legal services available to senior citizens?

Yes, there are services available. For additional information on these programs and legal aide services go to the Program Assistance page. You can also contact:

Harford County Bar Association

Phone: 410-836-8202

Senior Legal Assistance Program

Phone: 410-836-8202

Senior Legal Hotline

Phone: 800-999-8904

6. How do I get legal advice on a criminal matter?

Citizens calling for legal advice on a criminal matter are referred to the Public Defender's Office. Their services, also, are rendered and billed dependent upon income. You can call them at 410-836-4880.

7. I have questions about private legal issues, who do I contact?

Citizens calling for legal advice on private issues are instructed to obtain a private attorney of their choice or contact the Legal Aid Bureau. Legal Aid services are rendered and billed dependent upon income. Their phone number is 410-836-8202.

8. I am not eligible for legal aid, I just want a recommendation for a specialized attorney, who do I call?

Citizens calling for legal advice who know they are not eligible for legal aid or who simply want a recommendation for an attorney in a specialty field can call a referral service. The phone number for the Lawyer Referral Service is 410-836-0123.

9. Who do I call if I have a complaint about a licensed contractor?

Complaints from homeowners about licensed contractors or general questions about a contractor who is performing any home improvement (any repair, replacement, remodeling or modernization of home or property) should call the Maryland Home Improvement Commission at 410-230-6309. Maryland Home Improvement Commission

10. Does the Sheriff's Office have records on pawn transactions in the county?

Yes, they do. Each of the licensed pawn shops and second hand precious metals dealers is required to submit records of their transactions to the Sheriff's Office. The records are maintained in a database, and is a valuable resource for locating stolen items and developing investigative information.

11. Does the Sheriff's Office hold auctions for unclaimed items?

Auctions of unclaimed/forfeited items are held periodically, and are advertised in the local newspapers in advance of the sale. Unclaimed/forfeited guns, however, are not offered to the general public.

12. How do I find information about county codes?

Existing regulations or laws are contained in the Harford County Code. The Harford County Council office can answer general questions at 410-638-3347. If you want a copy of a particular section of the Code, please contact the Harford County Library at 410-638-3151. Harford County Library

13. Where can I find financial disclosures?

Statement can be electronically filed on our financial disclosure filing system page.

14. How can I drop the charges?

As a rule, you cannot drop charges. Only the State's Attorney can determine what action will be taken in a criminal case. You should speak to the prosecutor about any options. State's Attorney

15. How can I find out my court date?

It is helpful if you have the defendant's name, case number and what court the case is in when you call the office. If you do not have this information, we can still find the trial date, but you may have to be transferred to the various divisions within the office because they are each on a separate computer system. State's Attorney

16. How do I contact the Property Management Unit directly?

The Property Management Unit is staffed weekdays from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., and can be reached by calling 410-836-5420. Voice mail is available at all times.

17. How do I know which Division is handling my case?

View the table on the State's Attorney page to see which division is handling your case. You can tell which division by your case number. You can also call 410-638-3500 with questions. State's Attorney

18. How do I protect myself from the defendant?

If you have been threatened or assaulted by the defendant or others and there is a continuing threat, you should contact the State's Attorney's Office to alert us. There are several options including the possibility of moving you and your family from the area or into a secure location or for victims of domestic violence, the loan of a cell phone.

19. How do I obtain public information from the liquor control board?

Anyone requesting information, must complete the Public Information Request Form, located on the Liquor Control Board page. Liquor Control Board Page

20. If I do not agree with the outcome of a case, in which I was the victim, what can I do about it?

Generally, once the judge's decision has been handed down in a criminal case, it cannot be changed. Therefore, it is very important to contact the prosecutor assigned to the case and discuss your thoughts about the outcome prior to any hearings or trials. If you have a problem with the way the prosecutor handled a case, you may contact the State's Attorney's Office and ask to speak to a Deputy State's Attorney. State's Attorney

21. Is it important that I record the serial numbers of my personal belongings?

Yes, that is very important. The serial number of each item which comes into our custody is checked through a nationwide database of items which have been reported stolen. Likewise, serialized items traded through local pawn shops are also checked. Owners of stolen items are often located through this resource.

22. How do I find information about pending court cases in the Circuit Court and District Court?

We are not connected in any way with the court system. For information from these courts please contact the Circuit Court at 410-638-3426 or the District Court at 410-836-4545. Harford County Circuit Court

23. What can I do about Enforcement/Administration of Justice problems/issues?

Usually we refer these matters to the law enforcement agency involved for processing through their internal procedures. Our statute prohibits unlawful discrimination in this area and technically the Office of Human Relations has enforcement responsibility.

The Office of Human Relations is responsible processing complaints of unlawful discrimination in all of the aforementioned areas though our enforcement remedies are limited.

24. What information do I need when calling or visiting the State's Attorney's Office?

If you are calling about a specific case, it helps us to locate the case in the computer system if you have the defendant's name, case number and trial date. This information would be on your courts summons or other letters from the State's Attorney. It is also helpful if you have been dealing with a police officer to have the officer's name and department. State's Attorney

25. What will happen if I do not show up for court as a witness?

If you have been summoned, you must attend court. If you have a conflict that cannot be rescheduled, you should immediately contact the State's Attorney's Office and ask to speak to the prosecutor handling the case or to a victim-witness specialist to discuss what options are available. If you are not excused and fail to come to court, then the judge will issue a writ calling for your arrest. State's Attorney

26. When and how do I get my restitution?

Restitution can be ordered for loss or damage to property or for medical or funeral expenses. In a criminal case, restitution cannot be ordered for lost wages, although wages may be recovered from a civil suit. Restitution can be ordered by the judge upon the conviction of the defendant. Depending on the amount of restitution and the ability of the defendant to make payments, restitution might be made in one payment at sentencing or be made payable through the Department of Parole and Probation and collected a little at a time for over many years. An order of restitution is filed as a civil judgment and can be executed by the victim as any other civil judgment.

27. When my property is seized, how do I get it back?

If you have reported property stolen and you locate the property, contact the police department you filed the crime report with and arrange with them to have the property picked up and turned over to you.

If your property has been seized during an arrest or the execution of a search warrant, you may call the State's Attorney's Office. If your property is needed for evidence or is subject to forfeiture, it is likely that it will not be returned. State's Attorney

28. Where can a person call for legal assistance in a domestic situation?

If family violence is involved call SARC at 410-836-8430 If not, call the Lawyer Referral Service at the Legal Aid Bureau in Bel Air, Maryland 410-836-8202. SARC

29. Who can I contact with a consumer protection question?

You can contact the Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662 or visit their website. Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney Gener