Arrest records in Oakhurst, 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 transparency in government operations and ensures public accountability within the criminal justice system. Under OPRA provisions, arrest records maintained by the Ocean Township Police Department, which serves Oakhurst, are considered government records subject to public inspection.
The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes:
Certain limitations may apply to the release of arrest information in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure might compromise public safety. These exceptions are specifically outlined in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by records custodians.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Oakhurst have multiple methods available for accessing this information. The Ocean Township Police Department, which serves the Oakhurst area, maintains these records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements.
Individuals may submit in-person requests at:
Ocean Township Police Department
399 Monmouth Road
Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Phone: (732) 531-1800
Township of Ocean Police Department
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Required identification: Valid government-issued photo ID
Digital access to arrest records is available through:
Written requests may be submitted to:
Records Custodian
Ocean Township Police Department
399 Monmouth Road
Oakhurst, NJ 07755
All requests must include:
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i), the custodian must respond to all OPRA requests within seven business days.
Arrest records maintained by the Ocean Township Police Department for Oakhurst incidents typically contain standardized information as required by New Jersey Administrative Code Title 13, Chapter 74. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and subsequent processing of individuals charged with criminal offenses.
Standard components of an Oakhurst arrest record include:
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, including:
The State of New Jersey provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 through 2C:52-32. Expungement permits the removal of arrests and related proceedings from public access, effectively sealing these records from routine background checks.
Individuals may qualify for expungement of Oakhurst arrest records under the following circumstances:
Recent reforms under the "Clean Slate" legislation (P.L.2019, c.269) have expanded eligibility for certain offenses and created pathways for automated expungement processes.
Expungement petitions for Oakhurst arrests must be filed with:
Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth County
Criminal Division
71 Monument Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: (732) 677-4500
New Jersey Courts Criminal Division
The expungement process requires:
Upon successful expungement, all records related to the arrest are removed from public access and the individual may legally state that the arrest never occurred in most circumstances, with limited exceptions for certain employment applications as specified in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27.
Arrest records in Oakhurst carry significant legal implications that extend beyond the immediate criminal proceedings. These records, maintained pursuant to N.J.S.A. 53:1-20.5, create a permanent documentation of law enforcement interactions that may impact individuals in various contexts.
New Jersey's "Ban the Box" legislation (The Opportunity to Compete Act, N.J.S.A. 34:6B-11 to 19) restricts employers from inquiring about criminal histories during initial employment applications. However, arrest records may still be considered during later stages of the hiring process, with the following provisions:
Landlords and property managers in Oakhurst may access arrest records when evaluating rental applications. The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601-3619) prohibits blanket policies rejecting all applicants with criminal records, as such policies may have a disparate impact on protected classes. Housing providers must instead:
Numerous professional licensing boards in New Jersey consider arrest records when evaluating applications. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:1-21, licensing authorities may deny, suspend, or revoke professional credentials based on criminal history that relates to the profession in question.
For non-citizens residing in Oakhurst, arrest records may trigger immigration proceedings under federal law. Even arrests that do not result in conviction may impact: