>Cape May County Arrest Records Online

Cape May County, New Jersey Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cape May County, New Jersey?

Arrest records are public in Cape May County, New Jersey, pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. This 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 prescribed by law. The public nature of these records serves to maintain transparency in the criminal justice system and ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies operating within Cape May County.

The Cape May County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. While most arrest information is publicly accessible, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or the privacy of victims as stipulated under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1. Juvenile records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, which generally restricts public access to records involving individuals under 18 years of age.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the information is public, the process of obtaining these records must follow established protocols and may require payment of statutory fees as permitted under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cape May County?

Cape May County arrest records can be accessed online through several authorized digital platforms. The Cape May County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides limited information about current inmates and recent arrests. Additionally, the New Jersey Judiciary's PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal allows users to search for criminal case information, including arrest details for cases that have entered the court system.

The online availability of these records is subject to the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Records Act and the New Jersey Court Rules. Pursuant to Rule 1:38 of the New Jersey Court Rules, certain court records may be subject to limited access or sealing orders. Furthermore, the Administrative Office of the Courts has established guidelines regarding the electronic dissemination of court records to balance public access with privacy concerns.

Users of online arrest record systems should note that:

Information may not be comprehensive or immediately updated
Some sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1
Records related to expunged arrests will not appear in public databases
Technical limitations may affect search functionality

How to Look Up Cape May County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking arrest records in Cape May County have multiple methods available to them, as prescribed by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act. The following procedures have been established for public access:

In-Person Requests

Members of the public may visit the following locations to submit requests for arrest records:

Cape May County Sheriff's Office
4 Moore Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: (609) 463-6430
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Cape May County Criminal Records Room
Cape May County Courthouse
9 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: (609) 402-0100 ext. 4
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Online Access

Digital access to arrest records is available through:

Cape May County Jail Records - Provides information on current and former inmates
New Jersey Courts Public Access - Allows searches of criminal case information
PROMIS/Gavel Public Access - Provides access to criminal case records

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to:

Records Custodian
Cape May County Sheriff's Office
4 Moore Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

All written requests must include:

Requestor's name and contact information
Specific information being sought
Preferred method of delivery
Required identification as stipulated by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f)

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b), the custodian of records must respond to all requests within seven business days. Statutory fees may apply in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).

Contents of a Cape May County Arrest Record

Cape May County arrest records contain standardized information as required by New Jersey Administrative Code Title 13, Chapter 74. These official documents typically include the following components:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or nicknames
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address at time of arrest
Social Security Number (partially redacted in public copies)

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Charges filed, including statute citations (N.J.S.A. references)
Incident report number
Booking number and processing information
Bail or bond information, if applicable
Court appearance dates

Biometric Data

Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Mugshot photographs (frontal and profile views)
DNA collection status, if applicable

Case Disposition

Court of jurisdiction
Case number
Current status of charges
Disposition of each charge (if resolved)
Sentencing information, when applicable

It should be noted that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, certain information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including but not limited to: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, personal financial information, and information that might compromise an ongoing investigation. Additionally, if the arrest record pertains to a domestic violence incident, victim information may be redacted in accordance with the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 et seq.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cape May County

The expungement process in Cape May County is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq., which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrests, charges, and convictions from public access. When an expungement is granted, the arrest record is isolated and extracted from public view, though it remains accessible to certain government agencies under specific circumstances as outlined in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-17 through N.J.S.A. 2C:52-23.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for expungement in Cape May County is determined by several factors:

Nature of the offense (certain serious crimes are ineligible per N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(b))
Disposition of the case (dismissal, acquittal, or conviction)
Time elapsed since completion of sentence or dismissal
Criminal history of the applicant
Compliance with all court-ordered financial obligations

Recent amendments to New Jersey's expungement law, effective as of 2020, have expanded eligibility and reduced waiting periods for many offenses. The Clean Slate Law (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.4) now allows for automatic expungement of certain offenses after a 10-year period without subsequent convictions.

Application Process

The expungement application process requires:

Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Superior Court in Cape May County
Payment of filing fees (currently $75, with fee waiver options available)
Service of the petition on all relevant government agencies
Attendance at a hearing, if scheduled by the court

Cape May County Superior Court
9 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: (609) 463-6500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Applicants should be aware that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-14, the County Prosecutor's Office has the right to object to an expungement petition. If objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement by a preponderance of the evidence.