Union County, New Jersey Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Union County, New Jersey?
Arrest records in Union County, New Jersey are public documents accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., which establishes that government records must be made available for public inspection, copying, or examination unless specifically exempted by law. Arrest records fall under the category of public documents, though certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1.
The New Jersey judiciary maintains a policy of transparency regarding court records, including those related to arrests. However, certain restrictions apply to juvenile records, expunged records, and cases involving domestic violence or sexual offenses, as outlined in Rule 1:38 of the New Jersey Court Rules. These restrictions serve to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and the integrity of the judicial process.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Union County should be aware that while these records are generally accessible, specific elements may be withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions or court orders.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Union County?
Union County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The New Jersey Courts electronic case search system provides public access to criminal case information, including arrest data. Additionally, the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal allows users to search criminal cases filed in Superior Courts throughout New Jersey, including Union County.
The online availability of arrest records is subject to certain limitations established by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Pursuant to Rule 1:38-7, some information may be excluded from public access, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers. Furthermore, cases that have been expunged under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. will not appear in online searches.
Users should note that the most comprehensive arrest records may still require in-person requests at the appropriate county facilities, as online systems may not contain complete historical data or the most recent arrests. The timeliness of online updates varies according to court processing schedules and system maintenance protocols.
How to Look Up Union County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Union County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:
Online Database Searches: The New Jersey Courts website provides a searchable database of criminal cases. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers to locate arrest information.
Criminal Division Records Room: The Union County Criminal Division Records Room maintains physical copies of arrest records and case files. This facility is located at:
Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207
908-787-1650
Union County CourtsNew Jersey State Police: For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Union County, requests may be submitted to:
New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
609-882-2000
New Jersey State PoliceUnion County Sheriff's Office: Local arrest records may be available through:
Union County Sheriff's Office
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
908-527-4450
Union County Sheriff's Office
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and, if available, case numbers. Fees may apply for record searches and copies, as authorized by N.J.S.A. 22A:2-29.
Contents of a Union County Arrest Record
Union County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county jurisdiction. These records generally include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
- Physical description including height, weight, identifying marks or tattoos
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Criminal charges filed, including statute citations
- Case or docket number assigned by the court
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Bail or bond information
- Court appearance dates
- Disposition of the case, if available
The content of arrest records is governed by the New Jersey Criminal Justice Information System standards and the requirements set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq. These regulations ensure uniformity in record-keeping practices across law enforcement agencies in the state.
It should be noted that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to ongoing investigations or juvenile matters.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Union County
The expungement process in Union County allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 through 2C:52-32. Expungement effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes.
Eligibility for expungement in Union County is determined by several factors:
- Nature of the offense (certain serious crimes are ineligible for expungement)
- Disposition of the case (dismissals, acquittals, and certain convictions may qualify)
- Time elapsed since completion of sentence or dismissal
- Criminal history of the applicant
- Compliance with all court-ordered financial obligations
The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the Superior Court in Union County, accompanied by supporting documentation and payment of applicable fees. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-7, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date and notify relevant law enforcement agencies.
If granted, an expungement order directs all relevant agencies to remove records from public access. The New Jersey State Police Criminal History Records unit coordinates the implementation of expungement orders across multiple agencies.
Recent legislative changes have expanded expungement eligibility and streamlined the process for certain offenses. The "Clean Slate" law, effective in 2020, provides for automatic expungement of eligible records after a specified waiting period, though implementation continues to evolve.
Search Arrest Records in Union County
