Arrest records in Warren County, New Jersey are public documents accessible to citizens pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records for the purpose of ensuring transparency in governmental functions and accountability of public officials. The statute specifically designates arrest records as government records subject to public disclosure, with certain statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances.
The Warren County Prosecutor's Office maintains these records in accordance with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, which requires custodians of government records to provide prompt access to such materials. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit formal OPRA requests to the appropriate law enforcement agency or access certain records through designated public terminals at the Warren County Criminal Case Management Office.
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, which exempts specific categories of information from public access requirements. These exemptions include, but are not limited to, information that would compromise an ongoing investigation, reveal confidential informants, or disclose personal identifying information that could lead to identity theft.
Warren County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by New Jersey state and county agencies. The New Jersey Judiciary provides electronic access to criminal case information through its PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal, which contains information about criminal complaints, indictments, and case dispositions. This system operates pursuant to Rule 1:38 of the New Jersey Court Rules, which governs public access to court records.
The Warren County Sheriff's Office maintains a current online database of individuals with outstanding warrants, which is updated regularly in compliance with N.J.S.A. 2A:162-16, which addresses public notification requirements for wanted persons. Additionally, the Warren County Prosecutor's Office publishes press releases regarding significant arrests on its official website as permitted under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3, which specifically authorizes the release of information concerning criminal activity.
Users of these online systems should be aware that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f), electronic records must be provided in the medium requested if the agency maintains the record in that medium. However, not all arrest record information is available online, and more comprehensive records may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency.
Members of the public seeking Warren County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several methods established under New Jersey's public records laws. The following procedures comply with N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, which outlines the process for requesting government records:
New Jersey Courts Online Portal: Individuals may access the New Jersey Courts case search system to locate criminal cases by defendant name or case number. This system provides docket information, hearing dates, and case status updates.
Warren County Prosecutor's Office: Records requests may be submitted in person at the Warren County Prosecutor's Office located at:
Warren County Prosecutor's Office
413 Second Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
(908) 475-6275
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Warren County Sheriff's Office: Arrest record inquiries may be directed to:
Warren County Sheriff's Office
413 Second Street, Suite 1
Belvidere, NJ 07823
(908) 475-6309
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
New Jersey State Police: For state-level criminal history information, requests may be submitted to:
New Jersey State Police Records and Identification Section
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
(609) 882-2000
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Requestors must complete an OPRA request form as specified in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(f) and may be required to pay statutory fees for document reproduction pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b), which currently sets a maximum fee of $0.05 per letter-sized page and $0.07 per legal-sized page for standard copies.
Warren County arrest records contain standardized information as required by N.J.S.A. 53:1-15, which mandates the collection and maintenance of specific data elements for all persons arrested for indictable offenses. These records typically include:
These records are maintained in accordance with the Criminal Justice Information System standards and New Jersey Administrative Code provisions at N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq., which govern the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal history record information.
Law enforcement agencies in Warren County are required to submit arrest fingerprints and related information to the New Jersey State Police State Bureau of Identification within a timeframe specified by N.J.S.A. 53:1-18.1, ensuring that records are properly documented in state and federal criminal history databases.
The expungement process in Warren 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 qualifying circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Warren County Vicinage, located at:
Warren County Superior Court
413 Second Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
(908) 475-6161
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-6, persons who were arrested but not convicted may petition for expungement immediately following the dismissal of charges or acquittal. For those convicted of eligible offenses, waiting periods apply as specified in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2 through 2C:52-4.1, ranging from immediate eligibility for certain non-conviction records to waiting periods of 3-10 years for various conviction categories.
Recent amendments to New Jersey's expungement laws under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3 have established a "Clean Slate" expungement process, which allows for the automatic expungement of certain records after a 10-year period without subsequent convictions. Additionally, N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.4 created an expedited "marijuana expungement" process for certain cannabis-related offenses following the state's legalization of recreational marijuana.
Upon the granting of an expungement order, all records related to the arrest or conviction are removed from public access and the person may legally respond to questions about their criminal history as if the matter never occurred, with certain exceptions for specific employment categories as outlined in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-27.