New Jersey Arrest Records

Is New Jersey an Open Arrest Records State?

New Jersey is an open arrest records state pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. This comprehensive legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by citizens of New Jersey, with certain exceptions as established by law. The statute specifically mandates that government records shall be readily accessible unless exempt from such access by OPRA, other statutes, resolution of either house of the Legislature, regulation promulgated under the authority of any statute or Executive Order of the Governor, Rules of Court, or federal law, regulation, or order.

The availability of arrest records supports the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities and promotes transparency within the criminal justice system. Members of the public may access these records to conduct background checks, verify information for employment purposes, or simply to stay informed about criminal activity in their communities. The state's commitment to open records reinforces accountability in governmental operations and ensures that citizens can exercise their right to be informed about public safety matters.

How to Look Up New Jersey Arrest Records in 2025

The State of New Jersey provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

New Jersey State Police Records and Identification Section
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
(609) 882-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Jersey State Police
New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 421-6100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Find a Case
County Prosecutor's Offices - Each of New Jersey's 21 counties maintains a prosecutor's office that may provide access to local arrest records. Contact information for each office can be found on the respective county government websites.
Local Police Departments - Municipal police departments maintain records of arrests within their jurisdiction. Contact information is available on municipal government websites.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, a request for access to a government record shall be in writing and hand-delivered, mailed, transmitted electronically, or otherwise conveyed to the appropriate custodian. The custodian of government records shall grant access to a government record or deny access to a government record as soon as possible, but not later than seven business days after receiving the request.

Contents of a New Jersey Arrest Record

New Jersey arrest records contain standardized information as required by N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name of the arresting agency; badge numbers of arresting officers
Offense Information: Nature and description of the alleged criminal offense(s); statutory citations; classification as misdemeanor or felony
Processing Data: Booking number; fingerprint classification; detention facility information
Case Disposition: Court appearance dates; preliminary hearing information; bail or bond amounts
Photographic Evidence: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process
Identification Numbers: State Identification Number (SID); FBI number if applicable

It should be noted that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and may not be included in publicly accessible arrest records.

Understanding the New Jersey Open Records Act

The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), enacted in 2002, serves as the primary legal framework governing public access to government records in the state. This legislation, codified at N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., replaced the former Right to Know Law and significantly expanded public access to government records.

OPRA establishes that all government records shall be subject to public access unless exempt under the provisions of the law. The statute defines "government record" broadly to include any paper, written or printed book, document, drawing, map, plan, photograph, microfilm, data processed or image processed document, information stored or maintained electronically or by sound-recording or in a similar device, or any copy thereof.

Key provisions of OPRA include:

Custodian Responsibilities: Each public agency must designate a custodian of government records who is responsible for processing OPRA requests.
Response Timeline: Custodians must respond to OPRA requests as soon as possible, but no later than seven business days after receiving the request.
Reasonable Fees: Agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of records, but not for the cost of searching for records.
Government Records Council: OPRA established the Government Records Council (GRC) to adjudicate disputes regarding access to government records.

The GRC is located at:

Government Records Council
101 South Broad Street
P.O. Box 819
Trenton, NJ 08625-0819
(609) 292-6830
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Expungement of Arrest Records in New Jersey

The State of New Jersey provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. Expungement is the process by which a person's criminal record is removed from the public record and sealed from public access. When a record is expunged, the arrest, conviction, and related proceedings are deemed not to have occurred.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in New Jersey include:

Waiting Periods: Depending on the offense, individuals must wait a specified period after completion of sentence, payment of fines, or completion of probation or parole.
Criminal History: The nature and number of prior convictions affect eligibility.
Offense Type: Certain serious offenses, such as murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, and certain drug offenses, are not eligible for expungement.

The expungement process involves:

Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Superior Court in the county where the arrest or prosecution occurred
Serving copies of the petition and supporting documents on all relevant law enforcement agencies
Attending a hearing if the expungement is contested
Receiving an Expungement Order if granted by the court

The Administrative Office of the Courts provides forms and instructions for the expungement process at:

New Jersey Judiciary Expungement Unit
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 981
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 421-6100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27, any person who reveals to another the existence of an arrest, conviction, or related legal proceeding with knowledge that the records and information pertaining thereto have been expunged is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.

How to Find Local Arrests in New Jersey?

Members of the public seeking information about local arrests in New Jersey may utilize several official resources. Local arrest information is maintained by various law enforcement agencies throughout the state and can be accessed through established channels.

County and municipal law enforcement agencies maintain records of arrests within their jurisdictions. These records may be accessed by:

Visiting the Records Division of the local police department or sheriff's office during regular business hours
Submitting an OPRA Request to the records custodian of the relevant law enforcement agency
Accessing Online Portals maintained by some law enforcement agencies for public information
Reviewing Court Dockets at the municipal or Superior Court where cases are processed

The New Jersey State Police also maintains a centralized repository of arrest information through the State Bureau of Identification (SBI). The SBI can be contacted at:

New Jersey State Police - State Bureau of Identification
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
(609) 882-2000 ext. 2918
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Criminal History Records Information

Additionally, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:164-4, the New Jersey Department of Corrections maintains records of individuals who have been sentenced to state correctional facilities following conviction. Information about currently incarcerated individuals can be obtained from:

New Jersey Department of Corrections
Whittlesey Road
P.O. Box 863
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 292-4036
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Jersey Department of Corrections

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