West Milford Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in West Milford, New Jersey?
Arrest records in West Milford, New Jersey are considered public documents under state law. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests. This legislation ensures transparency in governmental operations by granting citizens the right to access records created, maintained, or kept on file by public agencies. Law enforcement agencies in West Milford are required to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request, subject to certain statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances.
The public nature of arrest records serves several important governmental and societal functions:
- Promotes accountability within the criminal justice system
- Enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
- Provides information relevant to public safety concerns
- Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
- Facilitates background checks for employment and housing purposes
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, public agencies must respond to records requests within seven business days. Requestors may be charged reasonable fees for document reproduction as established by statute.
How to Look Up West Milford Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in West Milford. Each method involves specific procedures and may require different forms of identification or payment of administrative fees as authorized under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b).
West Milford Police Department
1480 Union Valley Road
West Milford, NJ 07480
Phone: (973) 728-2800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Records Division at the West Milford Police Department maintains arrest records and booking information. Requestors must complete an OPRA request form and provide proper identification. The department typically processes requests within 7 business days as required by statute. Fees for document reproduction are assessed according to the following schedule:
- Letter-sized pages: $0.05 per page
- Legal-sized pages: $0.07 per page
- Electronic records: No charge when sent via email
- Special service charges may apply for extensive requests
Passaic County Clerk's Office
401 Grand Street, Room 130
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 881-4788
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
The County Clerk maintains court records related to arrests and prosecutions. Requestors must submit an OPRA form or written request specifying the records sought. Records may be inspected in person or copies may be obtained for a fee. The Clerk's Office maintains records of indictments, accusations, and dispositions for cases prosecuted within Passaic County.
New Jersey State Police
Records and Identification Section
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
Phone: (609) 882-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The State Police maintain a central repository of criminal history information. Individuals seeking comprehensive criminal history information may submit a request for Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). This process requires fingerprinting and payment of statutory fees pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq.
Online Access Options
The New Jersey Judiciary provides limited online access to criminal case information through its public portal. Users may search by name to locate basic case information, though detailed arrest records typically require formal requests through the agencies listed above. The Judiciary's records system is accessible at njcourts.gov and provides information on case status, scheduled court appearances, and case dispositions.
Contents of a West Milford Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by West Milford law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by N.J.A.C. 13:74-1.1 et seq. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and typically include the following elements:
Subject identification information:
- Full legal name
- Known aliases or nicknames
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Address at time of arrest
- Social security number (partially redacted in public copies)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed
- Case/docket number
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification
- Property inventory
Procedural information:
- Miranda warning acknowledgment
- Bail or detention determination
- Preliminary hearing date
- Court of jurisdiction
Disposition information:
- Case outcome (if available)
- Sentencing details (if applicable)
- Probation or parole terms (if applicable)
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records to protect privacy interests or sensitive information. This includes social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and in some cases, home addresses of the arrested individuals.
Expungement of Arrest Records in West Milford
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 records of criminal arrests, charges, and in some cases convictions, are removed from public access and treated as if they never occurred. The expungement statute underwent significant revision with the implementation of the "Clean Slate" law (P.L.2019, c.269) which expanded eligibility criteria.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in West Milford include:
- Arrests that did not lead to conviction
- Dismissals following completion of supervisory treatment or other diversion programs
- Certain disorderly persons offenses after a 5-year waiting period
- Certain indictable offenses after a 10-year waiting period
- Early pathway expungements for certain offenses after 5 years
- "Clean Slate" automated expungements for eligible offenses after 10 years without subsequent conviction
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Superior Court in the county where the arrest or prosecution occurred. For West Milford arrests, petitions are typically filed with:
Superior Court of New Jersey, Passaic County
Criminal Division
77 Hamilton Street
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 247-8600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Petitioners must submit:
- Verified petition for expungement
- Order for hearing
- Expungement order
- Proof of service to all required agencies
- Filing fee of $75 (may be waived for indigent petitioners)
Upon granting of an expungement order, all records related to the arrest are segregated and removed from public access. Government agencies are prohibited from disclosing the existence of expunged records except in limited circumstances specified by statute. Individuals granted expungement may legally respond to questions about their criminal history as if the expunged arrest or conviction never occurred, with certain exceptions for specific employment applications as outlined in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27.
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