Lacey Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lacey, New Jersey?
Arrest records are public in Lacey, 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 framework for public access to government records maintained by state and local agencies, including law enforcement entities. The statute affirms that government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by citizens of New Jersey, with certain exceptions for confidentiality, privacy, and security concerns.
The Lacey Township Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation. These records become public documents once they are filed with the municipal court or other judicial authorities. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures, subject to applicable redactions for protected information as mandated by state law.
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be withheld or redacted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, which exempts specific categories of information from public disclosure. These exemptions include, but are not limited to, information that would compromise an ongoing investigation, reveal the identity of victims of certain crimes, or disclose juvenile records.
How to Look Up Lacey Arrest Records in 2025
The Township of Lacey provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
Submit an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request through the Lacey Township online portal. The Municipal Clerk's Office processes these requests in accordance with statutory timeframes established in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.
Visit the Lacey Township Police Department in person to file a records request. The department is located at:
Lacey Township Police Department
818 Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731
(609) 693-6636
Lacey Township Police Department
- Contact the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office for records related to cases that have been forwarded for prosecution:
Ocean County Prosecutor's Office
119 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08754
(732) 929-2027
Ocean County Prosecutor's Office
- Access the Lacey Township Municipal Court records for information on case dispositions and court proceedings. The court maintains records of all cases within its jurisdiction, including violations of municipal ordinances and motor vehicle infractions.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and nature of the alleged offense. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f), a reasonable fee may be charged for the cost of reproducing and transmitting the requested records.
Contents of a Lacey Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Lacey Township Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. These records are standardized in accordance with the New Jersey Attorney General's guidelines for law enforcement record-keeping. Standard arrest records include the following components:
- Demographic information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, address, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information, including fingerprints and photographs
- Property inventory of items in possession at the time of arrest
- Initial appearance information, including bail determination
- Custody status and detention facility information, if applicable
- Case number and tracking identifiers for administrative purposes
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 and other applicable privacy statutes. Such redactions typically include Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, telephone numbers, and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft or compromise personal security.
The Ocean County Sheriff's Office maintains a central repository of arrest records for all municipalities within the county, including Lacey Township. This centralized system facilitates information sharing among law enforcement agencies and provides a secondary access point for members of the public seeking arrest record information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Lacey
New Jersey law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest and related records are removed from public access and treated as if they never occurred. The Lacey Township Municipal Court and the Superior Court of New Jersey, Ocean County Division, have jurisdiction over expungement petitions depending on the nature of the original case.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Lacey Township include:
- Arrests that did not result in conviction may be eligible for immediate expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-6
- Disorderly persons offenses may be eligible after 5 years from completion of sentence, subject to certain conditions
- Certain indictable offenses may be eligible after 10 years from completion of sentence
- Drug offenses committed by persons under 21 years of age may have special eligibility under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the appropriate court, accompanied by supporting documentation and payment of applicable fees. The petition must be served on all relevant law enforcement agencies, including the Lacey Township Police Department, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, and the New Jersey State Police.
Upon granting of an expungement order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest are required to remove such records from public access. However, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies for certain limited purposes as specified in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-17 through 23.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Lacey Township are advised to consult with legal counsel familiar with New Jersey expungement law, as the process involves complex procedural requirements and legal standards that must be strictly followed.
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