West Long Branch Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in West Long Branch, New Jersey?
Arrest records are public documents in West Long Branch, 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 principle that government records shall be readily accessible to the public for inspection, examination, and copying. The statute recognizes the public's inherent right to access governmental information to ensure transparency in official operations, including those of law enforcement agencies.
The West Long Branch Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation. These records document the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of violating municipal ordinances or state laws within the jurisdiction. Under OPRA provisions, members of the public may request access to these records, subject to certain statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, personal privacy, and public safety.
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g), which permits the custodian of records to delete portions of government records containing information which discloses the social security number, credit card number, unlisted telephone number, or driver license number of any person. Additionally, juvenile records are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60.
How to Look Up West Long Branch Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The municipality adheres to established protocols for public records access in compliance with state regulations.
In-Person Requests:
- Individuals may visit the West Long Branch Police Department located at 965 Broadway, West Long Branch, NJ 07764.
- Records requests are processed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Requestors must complete an OPRA request form, available at the records counter.
- Valid identification must be presented when requesting records.
Written Requests:
- Citizens may submit written OPRA requests to the Records Custodian at the West Long Branch Police Department, 965 Broadway, West Long Branch, NJ 07764.
- Requests must specify the records sought with reasonable clarity.
- Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i), the custodian must respond within seven business days of receipt.
- Applicable fees for document reproduction will be assessed in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
Electronic Access:
- The West Long Branch Municipal Court provides limited online access to public case information through the New Jersey Judiciary's public portal.
- The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system for individuals currently in custody.
- Third-party aggregator services may compile arrest data, though such sources may not contain complete or current information.
Monmouth County Resources:
- The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, located at 132 Jerseyville Avenue, Freehold, NJ 07728, maintains records of significant criminal cases.
- The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office at 2500 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728, provides inmate information and certain arrest data.
- County court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Monmouth County Superior Court, Criminal Division at 71 Monument Street, Freehold, NJ 07728.
Contents of a West Long Branch Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the West Long Branch Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of the apprehension process and subsequent administrative procedures. These records are maintained in accordance with the New Jersey Records Retention Schedule established by the Division of Archives and Records Management.
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Known aliases or previous names
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of apprehension
- Social security number (redacted in public copies pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5)
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Agency case number and incident report reference
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
- Witness information (may be redacted in public copies)
- Evidence collected during apprehension
Processing Information:
- Booking photographs (mugshots) taken from front and profile views
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Medical screening documentation, if conducted
- Miranda rights acknowledgment
- Temporary detention location
Judicial Processing:
- Bail or bond determination
- Preliminary hearing scheduling
- Court appearance dates
- Temporary restraining orders or conditions of release
- Prosecutorial screening decisions
- Case disposition information, if available
The West Long Branch Police Department maintains these records in both physical and digital formats. Physical records are stored in secure facilities with controlled access, while digital records are maintained in the department's records management system with appropriate security protocols in compliance with Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) requirements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in West Long Branch
The expungement process in West Long Branch follows New Jersey state law, specifically N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 through 2C:52-32, which provides a mechanism for the removal of arrests, charges, and convictions from public access under qualifying circumstances. This legal remedy serves to mitigate the collateral consequences of criminal justice involvement.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Individuals arrested but not convicted may petition for immediate expungement pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-6.
- Those convicted of certain disorderly persons offenses must wait 5 years from completion of sentence under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-3.
- Indictable offense convictions generally require a 10-year waiting period as specified in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2.
- Certain offenses, including homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and perjury, are statutorily ineligible for expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(b).
- Drug offenses have specialized provisions under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5 and the "Clean Slate" law.
Application Process:
- Petitioners must file a Petition for Expungement with the Superior Court in Monmouth County.
- The petition must include a verified petition, proposed final order, and supporting documentation.
- Filing fees must be submitted unless a fee waiver is granted based on indigency.
- Copies must be served on all relevant agencies including the West Long Branch Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor, and New Jersey State Police.
Hearing and Determination:
- The court may schedule a hearing if objections are filed by any notified agency.
- Judicial review considers statutory eligibility, public interest factors, and rehabilitation evidence.
- If granted, the court issues an Expungement Order directing all agencies to remove records from public access.
- The West Long Branch Police Department must comply with expungement orders within 30 days of receipt.
Effect of Expungement:
- Expunged records are removed from public access but maintained in segregated files accessible only to law enforcement under limited circumstances.
- Individuals may legally deny the existence of expunged arrests or convictions in most contexts.
- Certain exceptions exist for judicial appointments, law enforcement employment, and corrections positions.
- Subsequent arrests may result in the reinstatement of expunged records for sentencing purposes.
The Monmouth County Superior Court, located at 71 Monument Street, Freehold, NJ 07728, processes all expungement petitions for arrests occurring in West Long Branch. The court's Criminal Division can be reached at (732) 677-4500 for procedural inquiries.
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