Maywood Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Maywood, New Jersey?
Arrest records are public documents in Maywood, New Jersey, pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records maintained by public agencies, including those pertaining to arrests made by local law enforcement. The statute operates on the fundamental principle that government transparency is essential for maintaining public trust and accountability in the criminal justice system.
The Maywood Police Department, located at 15 Park Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607, maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. While most arrest information is accessible to the public, certain exceptions exist to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1.
Members of the public should note that while arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody, these records do not constitute proof of guilt. Under New Jersey law and constitutional principles, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
How to Look Up Maywood Arrest Records in 2025
The Maywood Police Department provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:
Online Portal Access: The Maywood Police Department maintains a digital records system accessible through their official website. Users may search for arrest records by providing the name of the individual, date of arrest, or case number. This service is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division at the Maywood Police Department headquarters located at 15 Park Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. Proper identification must be presented when requesting records in person.
Written Requests: OPRA request forms may be submitted via postal mail to: Records Custodian, Maywood Police Department, 15 Park Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information and specific details about the records being sought.
Electronic Submission: OPRA requests may be submitted electronically through the Borough of Maywood official website. The electronic submission system requires users to create an account and provide the same information as would be required for written requests.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, the custodian of records must respond to all OPRA requests within seven business days. A reasonable fee may be charged for document reproduction in accordance with the fee schedule established by the Borough of Maywood.
Contents of a Maywood Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Maywood Police Department contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody. These official documents typically include the following elements as mandated by New Jersey Administrative Code Title 13, Chapter 74:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including the specific New Jersey statutes allegedly violated, classification of offenses (indictable, disorderly persons, etc.), and degree of each charge.
Case Processing Information: Arrest case number, booking date and time, fingerprint identification number, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Court Information: Initial appearance date, bail or release conditions, and the court having jurisdiction over the case.
Physical Evidence: Description of any evidence collected during the arrest, including contraband, weapons, or other relevant items.
Detention Status: Information regarding whether the individual was released on their own recognizance, detained pending a bail hearing pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:162-15 et seq., or released after posting bail.
The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple purposes within the criminal justice system, including facilitating case management, ensuring proper identification of defendants, and maintaining statistical data for law enforcement agencies.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Maywood
New Jersey law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest and related records are removed from public access and treated as if they never occurred. The Bergen County Superior Court, located at 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, processes expungement petitions for Maywood residents.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Maywood include:
Dismissals: Cases resulting in dismissal, acquittal, discharge without conviction, or no formal charging document being filed may be eligible for immediate expungement.
Diversion Programs: Successful completion of Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI), conditional discharge, or conditional dismissal programs may qualify for expungement six months after program completion.
Convictions: Certain indictable offenses may be eligible after a waiting period of five years, though this period may be reduced to four years in cases of compelling circumstances. Disorderly persons offenses typically require a three-year waiting period.
Early Pathway Expungement: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(a)(2), certain offenses may qualify for expungement after two years if the court finds it is in the public interest.
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a Petition for Expungement with the Superior Court in the county where the arrest or prosecution occurred
- Serve copies of all documents on the prosecutor's office, police department, and other affected agencies
- Attend a hearing if the expungement is contested
- Obtain a final Expungement Order signed by a Superior Court judge
Upon successful expungement, the Maywood Police Department and all other agencies must remove the records from public access. However, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies for certain limited purposes as specified in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-17 through 23.
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