>Passaic County Arrest Records Online

Passaic County, New Jersey Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Passaic County, New Jersey?

Arrest records are public documents in Passaic County, 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 shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by citizens of New Jersey, with certain exceptions for confidentiality, privacy, or security concerns. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental purposes, including maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various governmental agencies in Passaic County. However, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, which exempts specific categories of information from public disclosure. Such exemptions typically include juvenile records, ongoing investigation materials, and certain personal identifying information that could compromise an individual's privacy or safety if disclosed.

The Passaic County Superior Court Criminal Division maintains official arrest records as part of their case management system. These records document the formal charging of individuals with criminal offenses and subsequent judicial proceedings within the county's jurisdiction.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Passaic County?

Passaic County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The New Jersey Judiciary provides public access to criminal case information through its online portal system, which includes records from Passaic County. This system allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or other identifiers.

The PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal specifically provides information on criminal cases filed in Superior Courts throughout New Jersey, including Passaic County. This database contains information on indictable offenses (felonies) and certain disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors) that have been processed through the county court system.

It should be noted that online records may not be comprehensive or immediately updated. Pursuant to New Jersey Court Rule 1:38, certain records are not available for public inspection in accordance with statutes and court rules governing the State of New Jersey Judiciary. Additionally, recent arrests may not appear in online databases until formal processing has been completed and the information has been entered into the system.

For the most current and complete arrest information, interested parties may need to supplement online searches with direct inquiries to the appropriate law enforcement agencies or court offices within Passaic County.

How to Look Up Passaic County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Passaic County, each with specific procedures and requirements:

In-Person Requests at Criminal Records Room: The Passaic County Criminal Division Records Room serves as the primary repository for criminal case records within the county.

Passaic County Courthouse Criminal Records Room
77 Hamilton Street
Paterson, New Jersey 07505
Phone: 973-247-8402
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Official Website

Visitors must present valid identification and may be required to complete a records request form. Standard copying fees apply pursuant to N.J.S.A. 22A:2-29.

Law Enforcement Agency Requests: Direct requests may be submitted to the arresting agency for specific arrest records:

Passaic County Sheriff's Office
77 Hamilton Street
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: 973-389-5900
Official Website

State-Level Criminal History Records: For comprehensive criminal history information, the New Jersey State Police maintains the central repository of Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) for the state.

New Jersey State Police Records and Identification Section
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
Phone: 609-882-2000
Official Website

Requestors must submit fingerprints and pay the required fee in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq. The current fee structure is established by N.J.S.A. 53:1-20.6.

Online Court Records: The New Jersey Judiciary's electronic case management systems provide public access to certain case information:

The New Jersey Courts Public Access System allows searches of criminal cases by name or case number
Records may be limited to basic case information rather than complete arrest details

All record requests must comply with the provisions of the Open Public Records Act and applicable court rules regarding public access to records.

Contents of a Passaic County Arrest Record

Arrest records in Passaic County typically contain standardized information as prescribed by New Jersey Administrative Code Title 13, Chapter 74. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system. Standard components include:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Address of residence (may be partially redacted in public versions)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory charges filed, with reference to applicable New Jersey Criminal Code sections
Brief narrative of circumstances leading to arrest
Weapon involvement, if applicable

Case Processing Information:

Unique case/docket number assigned by the court
Bail or detention determination
Court appearance dates
Case disposition (if resolved)

Additional Documentation:

Fingerprint records (typically not included in public versions)
Property/evidence inventory
Miranda rights acknowledgment
Medical screening information (subject to privacy restrictions)

It should be noted that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 and applicable court rules, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information. Additionally, if an arrest record pertains to a juvenile offender (under 18 years of age), access is significantly restricted under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Passaic County

The expungement process in Passaic County operates under the authority of N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq., which provides a mechanism for the removal of arrests, charges, and convictions from public access under specific circumstances. Expungement does not physically destroy records but rather segregates them from public view and restricts access to authorized government agencies only.

Eligibility for expungement in Passaic County is determined by several factors:

Nature of the offense (certain serious crimes are ineligible per N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(b))
Disposition of the case (dismissal, acquittal, or conviction)
Time elapsed since completion of sentence or dismissal
Subsequent criminal history
Satisfaction of all fines, restitution, and court-ordered obligations

The expungement application process requires petitioners to:

File a Petition for Expungement with the Superior Court in Passaic County
Serve copies of all documents on required government agencies, including:
- The Attorney General of New Jersey
- The New Jersey State Police Expungement Unit
- The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office
- The law enforcement agency that made the arrest
- The court where the disposition occurred

Following a mandatory waiting period, the court may schedule a hearing if any agency objects to the expungement. If granted, the court issues an Expungement Order directing all relevant agencies to remove the records from public access.

Recent legislative changes have expanded eligibility and streamlined the process for certain offenses. The "Clean Slate" law (P.L.2019, c.269) allows for automatic expungement of certain records after a 10-year waiting period, while the marijuana decriminalization legislation (P.L.2021, c.19) provides for automatic expungement of certain marijuana-related offenses.

Individuals seeking expungement in Passaic County may obtain forms and guidance from the Passaic County Superior Court Criminal Division Records Room or through the New Jersey Courts website.

Search Arrest Records in Passaic County

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