Denville Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Denville, New Jersey?
Arrest records are public in Denville, 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 the legislative intent of ensuring government transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations.
The Denville Township Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation. These records become public documents once they are filed, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records must submit a formal request through established procedures, which may include completion of an OPRA request form.
How to Look Up Denville Arrest Records in 2025
The Township of Denville provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in 2025. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest, to facilitate efficient processing of requests.
Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following methods:
In-Person Requests at Police Department: Citizens may visit the Denville Township Police Department Records Bureau during regular business hours to submit a request for arrest records. The Records Bureau processes requests for various police documents, including arrest reports.
Denville Township Police Department
1 St. Mary's Place
Denville, NJ 07834
973-627-4900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMMunicipal Court Inquiries: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Denville Municipal Court.
Denville Municipal Court
1 Saint Mary's Place
Denville, NJ 07834
973-625-8300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (except Thursdays: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Court Sessions: Thursdays at 9:00 AMOPRA Request Submission: The Open Public Records Request Form may be submitted electronically through the Township of Denville's official website, by mail, or in person at the municipal building.
Records Bureau Contact: Direct inquiries regarding arrest records may be made to the Records Bureau by telephone at 973-627-4900 or by visiting during operational hours.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, the custodian of government records must respond to OPRA requests within seven business days after receiving the request. Fees for copies of records are established by statute and municipal ordinance.
Contents of a Denville Arrest Record
Denville arrest records typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:74, which establishes standards for record-keeping by law enforcement agencies.
Standard information included in Denville arrest records comprises:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and address
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, with reference to applicable New Jersey Criminal Code sections
- Name, badge number, and department of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information, including photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint records
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial appearance information, including bail determination
- Case disposition if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
Certain 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 additional confidentiality under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60)
- Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation
- Victim information in cases involving domestic violence or sexual offenses
The Records Bureau of the Denville Township Police Department serves as the custodian of these records and processes requests in accordance with state law and departmental policy.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Denville
The expungement process in Denville follows New Jersey state law as codified in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 through 2C:52-32. Expungement provides a legal mechanism through which qualifying individuals may petition the court to remove certain arrests and convictions from public access. When an expungement is granted, the arrest record is segregated and not disclosed to the general public.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Denville include:
- For arrests that did not lead to conviction: Immediate eligibility in most cases
- For disorderly persons offenses: Generally eligible after 5 years from completion of sentence
- For certain indictable offenses: Generally eligible after 10 years from completion of sentence
- For drug offenses committed by persons under 21: Special provisions under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a Petition for Expungement with the Superior Court in the county where the arrest or prosecution occurred
- Serve copies of the petition and supporting documents on all relevant agencies, including the Denville Police Department
- Attend a hearing if required by the court
- Upon approval, ensure compliance with the Expungement Order by all agencies
The Morris County Superior Court, which has jurisdiction over Denville expungement petitions, is located at:
Morris County Superior Court
Washington and Court Streets
P.O. Box 910
Morristown, NJ 07963-0910
973-656-4000
Pursuant to recent legislative reforms, New Jersey has implemented an "Clean Slate" automated expungement system for certain eligible offenses, as provided in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.4. This system may automatically expunge eligible records after the statutory waiting period without requiring individual petition filing.
Individuals seeking expungement of Denville arrest records should be aware that certain serious offenses, including homicide, sexual assault, and certain domestic violence offenses, are statutorily ineligible for expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(b).
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