Can I keep the 
public from seeing 
information about me 
in a court case? 

Just as courtrooms are open to the public, the public has a right to fi nd out 
information about court cases. However, in some situations, you can request 
that the public not see information about you in a case. 
If you’re a party in a peace or protective order case, see the brochure Can I 
Keep the Public from Seeing Information about Me in a Peace or Protective 
Order Case? If you’re a criminal defendant, see the brochure Expungement of 
Criminal Records. If you want to expunge a juvenile record, see the brochure 
Expungement of Juvenile Records. 

If: 
you are a victim or witness in a criminal case and want 
to limit public access to information such as your name, 
address, or telephone number, you can file a request.
1. Complete a request to limit the public’s access to 
information in a criminal case (form CC-DC 52). 
Explain exactly what information you do not want 
the public to see and why. 
2. File your request with the clerk’s office of the 
District or Circuit Court in which the case was heard. 
If the court grants your 
request, the public will 
not be able to see that 
information about you. 
That’s it! 
However, if the court denies 
your request, you can file a 
motion to limit the public’s 
access to the information.  

If: 
you are a party (the 
plaintiff or defendant) 
in a civil case; 
OR 
you are the subject of 
a civil case; 
OR 
you are specifically 
identified in a civil case; 
and want to limit public 
access information in 
the case, you can file a 
motion. 

What’s the difference between a request and a motion? 
Usually . . . 
A request: 
1. can be granted by a clerk or commissioner; and 
2. requires no hearing. 
In a peace or protective order case, you may not use 
this simpler process. You must always give notice to 
all affected parties and persons, and attend a hearing 
before a judge. See the brochure Can I Keep the Public 
from Seeing Information about Me in a Peace or 
Protective Order Case? 
A motion: 
1. is always decided by a judge; 
2. requires notice to all affected 
parties; and 
3. requires a hearing. 

Filing a motion to limit the public’s access to a case record 
If a judge grants your motion, he or she will order that the clerk’s office remove the case record 
from public view. The clerk’s office places the entire record or document in an envelope. The public 
cannot open the envelope without a judge’s signature. To file a motion to limit the public’s access 
to a case record: 
1. Complete a motion to limit inspection of a case record (form CC-DC 53). You must prove that a 
special or compelling reason exists to prevent or limit the public from seeing the information. 
2. File the motion by mail or in person with the District or Circuit Court that heard the case. 
3. Notify all parties and others named in the case by sending them all the documents you filed 
with the court. This gives the other parties a chance to respond to your motion. 
4. A judge will review the motion and any responses. The public will not be able to see the 
information while the judge is reviewing your motion. One of three things will then happen: 
If the judge determines that the motion requires more consideration, the court will schedule a 
hearing date. 
If the judge determines that he or she cannot grant the motion legally, then he or she will deny the motion. 
If the judge grants the motion, the court will prevent or limit the public from seeing the information. 



For more information 
To find out more, see Maryland Rule 16-1009. 

For information about how to request the public have limited access to 
information in a peace or protective order case, see Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, 
Section 3-1510; Maryland Code, Family Law, Section 4-512. 

Court forms are available online at the Maryland Judiciary’s website 
at www.mdcourts.gov/courtforms.
 
Read Maryland’s laws at www.mdcourts.gov/lawlib/researchtools/ 
sourcesmdlaw.html. 

Visit the People’s Law Library of Maryland, an online legal resource, 
at www.peoples-law.org. 

Visit any public law library in person. Call 410.260.1430 or find out more 
online at www.mdcourts.gov/lawlib. 

Visit or call the Clerk’s Office of the court that heard your case. 
This brochure was created by the Maryland Access to Justice Commission with the 
help of the Maryland Judiciary’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs 10/14. 
MARYLANDACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION 
www.mdcourts.gov/mdatjc410.260.1258