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Howell Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Howell, New Jersey?

Arrest records are public documents in Howell, 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 fundamental right of citizens to access government records maintained by public agencies throughout the state. The statute specifically designates arrest records as government records accessible to the public, with certain statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances.

The Howell Township Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and makes them available through established protocols. Members of the public seeking arrest information should be aware that while these records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in compliance with privacy laws and investigative exemptions under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including promoting transparency in law enforcement operations, facilitating public safety awareness, and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system. The Township of Howell adheres to these principles while maintaining compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations regarding record disclosure.

How to Look Up Howell Arrest Records in 2025

The Township of Howell provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. As of 2025, the following official methods have been established for obtaining this information:

In-Person Requests:

Individuals may submit requests directly at the Howell Township Police Department, located at 300 Old Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731.
Operating hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Requestors must complete the standard OPRA request form available at the records division.
Valid identification must be presented when requesting records in person.

Electronic Submissions:

The Township maintains an online portal through which OPRA requests may be submitted electronically.
Digital requests require the same information as in-person submissions and are processed according to the same statutory timeline.
Electronic submissions are acknowledged with a confirmation number for tracking purposes.

Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to: Records Division, Howell Township Police Department, 300 Old Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731.
All mail requests must include a completed OPRA form, which can be downloaded from the Township website.
Processing begins upon receipt of the complete request package.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, the custodian of records must respond to all requests within seven business days. Fees for copies of records are established in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b) and are posted at the records division and on the Township website.

Contents of a Howell Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Howell Township Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by the New Jersey Administrative Code and departmental policies. These records typically include the following components:

Demographic Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying characteristics
Residential address at time of arrest
Gender and race (for identification purposes only)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific statutory violations alleged
Case or incident number assigned by the department
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency information

Processing Information:

Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Property inventory taken at time of booking
Detention location following arrest
Bail or bond information, if applicable

Case Disposition:

Court of jurisdiction
Scheduled court appearance dates
Case status indicators
Final disposition when available

It should be noted that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3(b), certain information related to an ongoing investigation may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would be detrimental to public safety or the investigative process. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60 and are generally not available through standard public records requests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Howell

The State of New Jersey provides a legal mechanism through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by the Howell Township Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. This process is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. and allows for the removal of arrest information from public access under specific circumstances.

Eligibility Criteria:

Individuals arrested but not convicted may petition for immediate expungement in most cases
Those convicted of disorderly persons offenses must wait 5 years from completion of sentence
Certain indictable offenses require a waiting period of 10 years
Drug offenses have specialized eligibility requirements under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5
Certain serious offenses, including homicide and sexual assault, are statutorily ineligible for expungement

Application Process:

Petitions must be filed with the Superior Court in the county where the arrest occurred
The Howell Township Municipal Court can provide guidance on the appropriate filing location
Standard forms prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts must be utilized
Filing fees apply unless a waiver is granted based on financial hardship
Notice must be served on all relevant law enforcement agencies, including the Howell Township Police Department

Effect of Expungement:

Upon court approval, the Howell Township Police Department is required to remove all references to the arrest from publicly accessible records
Expunged records are segregated and secured from public view
The arrest is treated legally as if it never occurred for most purposes
Certain government agencies retain limited access to expunged records for specific statutory purposes

The expungement process requires strict adherence to procedural requirements. The Howell Township Municipal Court, located at 300 Old Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731, can provide procedural information, though court staff cannot provide legal advice regarding individual cases.

Search Arrest Records in Howell

Howell Township Police Department
300 Old Tavern Road
Howell, NJ 07731
Phone: (732) 938-4111
Official Website

Howell Township Municipal Court
300 Old Tavern Road
Howell, NJ 07731
Phone: (732) 938-4575
Official Website