Somerset County, New Jersey Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Somerset County, New Jersey?
Arrest records in Somerset County, New Jersey are public documents accessible to all citizens 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, and security concerns. The Somerset County law enforcement agencies maintain these records as part of their official documentation of arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Members of the public may access these records to verify information about individuals who have been arrested within the county jurisdiction. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental interests, including:
• Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations • Ensuring accountability of public officials • Facilitating informed community awareness regarding public safety matters • Supporting the constitutional principle of open government
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(g) to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or juvenile information as specified under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Somerset County?
Somerset County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The New Jersey Judiciary provides electronic access to criminal case information through its public portal systems in accordance with Rule 1:38 of the Rules of Court, which governs public access to court records.
The primary online resources for accessing Somerset County arrest records include:
• The New Jersey Courts criminal case search system, which provides information on criminal proceedings • The PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal, which contains criminal case information maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts • The Somerset County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system, which provides current detention status information
Online access is provided in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Code Title 13, Chapter 59, which establishes guidelines for the dissemination of criminal history record information. Users should be aware that online records may not contain complete arrest information, as certain details may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate county offices.
How to Look Up Somerset County Arrest Records in 2025
Somerset County residents and other authorized individuals seeking arrest records in 2025 have multiple avenues available for conducting such searches. The following official channels have been established for this purpose:
Somerset County Courthouse
20 North Bridge Street
Somerville, New Jersey 08876
908-332-7700
Somerset County Courts
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Somerset County Sheriff's Office
40 North Bridge Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
908-231-7140
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Somerset County Prosecutor's Office
40 North Bridge Street
P.O. Box 3000
Somerville, NJ 08876
908-231-7100
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
To obtain arrest records, requestors must follow these procedural steps:
• Complete an OPRA request form, available at the respective agency or downloadable from their official websites • Provide sufficient identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth • Submit proper identification as required under N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq. • Pay applicable fees as established by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b) and county ordinances • Allow for processing time as specified by N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i), which requires responses within seven business days
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction and search time. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites.
Contents of a Somerset County Arrest Record
Somerset County arrest records are official documents maintained in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:74-1.1 et seq. and contain standardized information regarding individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county jurisdiction. These records typically include the following categories of information:
• Biographical data of the arrestee:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Address of residence at time of arrest
- Fingerprint classification number
- State Bureau of Identification (SBI) number, if applicable
• Arrest information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Law enforcement agency making the arrest
- Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
• Criminal charge information:
- Nature of alleged offense(s)
- New Jersey statute citation(s)
- Classification of offense (indictable, disorderly persons, etc.)
- Complaint/warrant number
• Post-arrest processing details:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Detention facility information
- Bail or release determination pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:162-15 et seq.
- Court appearance date(s)
- Case disposition, if available
The content and format of these records conform to the requirements established by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts and the Division of Criminal Justice. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 53:1-15, fingerprints and photographs are taken of all persons arrested for indictable offenses and certain disorderly persons offenses.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Somerset County
The expungement process in Somerset County provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to remove arrest records from public access pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. Expungement effectively isolates and extracts specified records from general public access, though certain government agencies retain limited access for specific purposes as authorized by statute.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Somerset County include:
• Waiting periods as specified in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2 through 2C:52-4.1, which vary based on offense type • Limitations on the number and nature of prior convictions • Successful completion of any imposed sentences or diversionary programs • Payment of all fines and satisfaction of other court-ordered requirements
The expungement procedure requires:
- Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Somerset County
- Payment of the filing fee established by the Administrative Office of the Courts
- Service of the petition and supporting documents on all relevant agencies
- Attendance at a hearing if required by the court
- Compliance with the court's expungement order if granted
Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2(b), including but not limited to:
• Criminal homicide (except death by auto) • Kidnapping • Human trafficking • Sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault • Robbery • Arson • Certain drug distribution offenses
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Somerset County Courthouse provides standardized forms and procedural information for self-represented litigants in accordance with the New Jersey Judiciary's commitment to access to justice.
Search Arrest Records in Somerset County.
