Gloucester Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Gloucester, New Jersey?
Arrest records in Gloucester, New Jersey are public documents accessible to all citizens 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 government records with certain exceptions for confidentiality and privacy. The fundamental principle underlying OPRA is that government records shall be readily accessible to the citizens of New Jersey, with exceptions only as enumerated in the statute.
The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties under New Jersey law. These records document law enforcement activities and are considered government records subject to public disclosure under OPRA § 47:1A-1.1. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures, though certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as permitted by statute.
Public access to arrest records serves several governmental functions:
- Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
- Enables citizens to monitor governmental activities
- Supports public safety through information sharing
- Facilitates background checks for employment and housing purposes
It should be noted that juvenile arrest records are subject to different regulations under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, which provides greater confidentiality protections than adult records.
How to Look Up Gloucester Arrest Records in 2025
The Gloucester County government provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to OPRA guidelines, requestors have several options for obtaining these public documents:
In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:
Gloucester County Sheriff's Office
2 South Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
(856) 384-4600
Sheriff's Office Records Division
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Gloucester County Clerk's Office
1 North Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
(856) 853-3237
County Clerk Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Electronic requests may be submitted through the following methods:
- The Gloucester County OPRA request portal available on the county website
- Email submission to the designated records custodian
- Municipal Court Case Search for court-related arrest information
Requestors should note that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f), custodians must provide access to government records in the medium requested if the agency maintains the record in that medium. If not, the custodian shall either convert the record to the medium requested or provide a copy in some other meaningful medium.
A nominal fee may apply for document reproduction in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b), which permits agencies to charge $0.05 per letter-size page and $0.07 per legal-size page for paper copies.
Contents of a Gloucester Arrest Record
Gloucester County arrest records contain standardized information as required by New Jersey Administrative Code § 13:74-1.1 and related statutes. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Demographic Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Gender and race as recorded by arresting officer
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and specific location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and processing information
- Charges filed, including statute citations and offense descriptions
- Arrest circumstances and probable cause summary
Case Processing Information:
- Court docket number
- Bail or detention determination
- Preliminary hearing dates
- Case disposition if available
- Sentencing information when applicable
Identification Records:
- Fingerprint classification data
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Any aliases or known associates documented
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft or compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Gloucester
The State of New Jersey provides a legal 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 Gloucester County Superior Court processes expungement petitions for arrests that occurred within county jurisdiction.
Eligibility Criteria: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2 through 2C:52-4.1, expungement eligibility depends on several factors:
- Nature and severity of the offense
- Disposition of the case (conviction, dismissal, or diversion)
- Time elapsed since completion of sentence or dismissal
- Subsequent criminal history
- Public interest considerations
Application Process: The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:
- File a Petition for Expungement with the Superior Court
- Provide certified dispositions of all arrests and convictions
- Serve copies of all documents on required government agencies
- Attend a hearing if objections are filed by any notified agency
Relevant Agencies: Petitions must be filed with:
Gloucester County Superior Court
Criminal Division
70 Hunter Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
(856) 686-7500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Copies must be served on:
- Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office
- Law enforcement agency that made the arrest
- New Jersey State Police
- Administrative Office of the Courts
Upon successful expungement, all records related to the arrest are segregated and removed from public access. Government agencies are prohibited from disclosing the existence of expunged records except in limited circumstances specified in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27, such as when the person is seeking employment in law enforcement or the judiciary.
The New Jersey Judiciary provides standardized forms and instructions for the expungement process, which were updated in 2025 to reflect recent statutory changes expanding eligibility for certain offenses.
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