State's Attorney Public Information Office

Enacted in 1970, Maryland's Public Information Act (PIA), grants the public a broad right of access to public records while protecting legitimate governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual citizens. The PIA covers public agencies and officials in Maryland and includes all branches of state government (legislative, judicial, and executive). The PIA is similar in purpose to the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

A public record is defined as the original or copy of any documentary material in any form, to include written materials, books, photographs, photocopies, films, microfilms, records, tapes, computerized records, maps and drawings created or received by the State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO) in connection with the transaction of public business.

Anyone -- citizens, corporations, associations, public interest groups, private individuals, and universities—can submit PIA requests.

The PIA provides for access to most State’s Attorney’s Office records. Certain records are privileged by law or exempt from disclosure and must be withheld. Examples include, but are not limited to, records containing internal office work product and cases that are still pending trial. Additionally, Personally Identifiable Information (PII) must be redacted prior to disseminating records.

PIA fees are limited to standard charges for direct document search, review, and duplication. Also, the PIA specifies that requesters receive the first two hours of search and preparation time without charge.

The term "direct costs" means those expenditures the State’s Attorney’s Office actually makes in searching for, reviewing, and duplicating documents to respond to a PIA request. Direct costs include, for example, the costs of the employees performing the work and the costs of operating duplicating machinery. Not included in direct costs are overhead expenses such as costs of space, heating, or lighting the facility in which the records are stored.

The term "search" includes all time spent looking, both manually and electronically, for material that is responsive to a request. Search also includes a line-by-line or page-by-page identification (if necessary) of material in the record to determine if it or portions thereof are responsive to the request. Time spent reviewing documents in order to determine whether a statutory exemption applies is not search time, but preparation time.

The term "duplication" refers to the process of making a copy of a document in response to a PIA request. Such copies can take the form of paper copy, audiovisual, or machine-readable documentation (e.g., magnetic tape or disc), among others. The SAO will provide copies in the same format as kept within the SAO unless otherwise specified by the requester.

The term "preparation" refers to the process of examining documents located in response to a PIA request to determine whether one or more of the statutory exemptions require withholding. It also includes the processing of documents for disclosure, such as redacting portions which are not available for release.

In order to be as responsive as possible to PIA requests while minimizing unwarranted costs, requesters should indicate the maximum amount of fees they are willing to pay.

A written copy of an estimate of assessable fees will be provided upon request.

A charge will not be made if the total amount due is one dollar or less.

The SAO will make every effort to accurately estimate the costs associated with the request. However, the SAO is not bound by the estimate and may charge fees that exceed the estimate. The requester will be provided with justification for the fees. Advance payment of the fees is required. 

• Fee Waivers:
  Requests for a fee waiver or reduction in fees should be submitted in writing to the SAO. The SAO may grant a fee waiver if the SAO determines that a fee waiver is in the best interest of the public. A fee waiver will not be granted if it is primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
  Decisions to waive or reduce fees are made on a case-by-case basis. 

The information that is covered under the PIA is only that information in existence at the time of the request. Requests to write, generate or create reports or lists are not covered under the PIA.

The PIA can be found in §§ 10-611 to 10-628 of the State Government Article, which is an article within the Maryland Annotated Code. The Maryland Annotated Code is available at local public libraries.

The PIA generally allows agencies to have 30 days to respond to a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request. If the request is complex, the agency must notify the requester within 10 working days, with a possible extension of up to 30 additional days with consent.

Identification of the record(s) desired is the responsibility of the requester. To provide the requester with the best possible service, the requester must provide specific information concerning the record(s) of interest, requestor name and contact information including phone number and email address.

Click here to download the PDF request form. Completed forms and attachments may be emailed to asksao@aacounty.org.