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Oakhurst Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Oakhurst, New Jersey?

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:

  • Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
  • Enables community awareness of public safety matters
  • Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice activities
  • Allows background verification for employment and housing purposes
  • Facilitates research on criminal justice trends and patterns

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.

How to Look Up Oakhurst Arrest Records in 2025

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.

In-Person Requests

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

Online Access Options

Digital access to arrest records is available through:

Mail Requests

Written requests may be submitted to:

Records Custodian
Ocean Township Police Department
399 Monmouth Road
Oakhurst, NJ 07755

All requests must include:

  • Requestor's full name and contact information
  • Specific information sought (date of arrest, name of individual)
  • Preferred format for receiving records
  • Signature and date

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i), the custodian must respond to all OPRA requests within seven business days.

Contents of an Oakhurst Arrest Record

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:

  • Arrestee biographical information (full legal name, date of birth, address)
  • Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks or tattoos)
  • Arrest date, time, and specific location within Oakhurst
  • Statutory charges filed, including citation of applicable New Jersey Criminal Code sections
  • Arresting officer identification and badge number
  • Booking information, including processing location and time
  • Detention status and bail determination
  • Case disposition information, when available
  • Fingerprint classification data
  • Photographic identification (mugshot)

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Medical information
  • Juvenile records (subject to special confidentiality provisions under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60)
  • Information that might compromise ongoing investigations

Expungement of Arrest Records in Oakhurst

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may qualify for expungement of Oakhurst arrest records under the following circumstances:

  • Arrests that did not result in conviction
  • Dismissals following completion of pretrial intervention programs
  • Certain disorderly persons offenses after 5-year waiting period
  • Certain indictable offenses after 10-year waiting period
  • First-time drug offenses under specified conditions
  • Juvenile records (subject to special provisions)

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.

Filing Procedures

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:

  • Completion of Form 1 (Petition for Expungement)
  • Submission of Form 2 (Order for Hearing)
  • Filing of Form 3 (Expungement Order)
  • Payment of filing fee ($75 as of 2025)
  • Service of petition on all relevant agencies

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.

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Oakhurst

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.

Employment Consequences

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:

  • Employers must provide written notice when denying employment based on criminal history
  • Applicants have the right to dispute inaccurate record information
  • Certain regulated industries (education, healthcare, finance) maintain broader access to arrest information

Housing Implications

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:

  • Consider the nature and severity of the offense
  • Evaluate the time elapsed since the arrest
  • Assess individual circumstances and rehabilitation evidence

Professional Licensing

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.

Immigration Consequences

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:

  • Visa renewal applications
  • Naturalization processes
  • Deportation vulnerability
  • Travel authorization

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