Cape May County Arrest Records

Cape May County arrest records contain information on all arrest-related events. Requesters can access these records through the county's local law enforcement agencies or other public documents, such as criminal records. For example, Cape May County court records may contain arrest information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Cape May County?

According to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 through 13—otherwise known as the New Jersey Open Records Act (OPRA)—citizens have the right to inspect and make copies of public documents, including arrest records, created and stored by public agencies while conducting "public business". Nevertheless, specific exemptions in the Act limit public access to some arrest records. Some of these restrictions include:

• Access to ongoing investigations that may be harmful to public interest.
• Records related to incidents involving juveniles are exempt from public disclosure.
• Records related to victims of domestic, child, or sexual abuse are withheld for privacy and safety concerns.
• Restrictions on convicted persons obtaining personal information about their victims or the victims' families
• Personal information such as social security, driver's license, credit card, and unlisted phone numbers
• Records that disclose the residential address of any serving or retired criminal justice or judiciary officer.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, the following arrest record components are available to requesters:

• Offender's name, birthdate, race, gender, height, weight, eye and hair color.
• Booking and Detention Details
• Arrest Details: (arrest date, arresting agency, and bond amount)
• The charges against the arrestee.

Cape May County Crime Rate

According to a 2020 New Jersey Uniform Crime Report, the total number of offenses reported in Cape May County was 2,010 incidents. Of this total, larceny constituted the highest proportion of crime types, with 77.56% (60), followed by burglary with 11.79% (237) and assault with 5.47% (110). Others include auto theft, robbery, and rape, which accounted for 2.99% (60), 1.24% (25), and 0.95% (19), respectively. No murder offense was recorded during the period.

Cape May County Arrest Statistics

The 2020 Uniform Crime Report from the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) website put the total number of arrested persons in Cape May County at 369. A breakdown of the type of offenses law enforcement officers detained offenders for showed that larceny was the most prevalent, with 49.05% (181), followed by assault at 24.39% (90) and burglary at 11.38% (42). Other arrest types include robbery, auto theft, and rape which constituted 7.32% (27), 4.88% (18), and 2.98% (11), respectively.

Find Cape May County Arrest Records

At the state level, individuals seeking Cape May County arrest records may visit the New Jersey Department of Corrections website to use their Offender Search Engine. This search tool allows searchers to look up inmates in the state's jail facilities. They can search by inputting different search criteria, such as an inmate's SBI Number, first name, last name, or even a single name alias. If a search yields more than 250 results, the system will prompt the user to modify the criteria chosen.

Requesters can refine their search criteria using the inmate's sex, hair color, eye color, race, ethnicity, county of commitment, current facility location, and birth date and age. The search tool returns detailed records on an inmate, such as their current location, sentence length, and criminal history.

At the federal level, record seekers may use the Federal Inmate Locator or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Detainee Locator to trace the location and status of individuals in federal prisons or immigration detention facilities. However, the Federal Inmate Locator only returns results on federal inmates imprisoned since 1982. To search for prisoners' records before 1982, requesters should contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Free Arrest Record Search in Cape May County

Requesters looking for free arrest records in Cape May County may wish to check the Cape May County Sheriff's Office Inmate List. This list, updated once daily from Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), contains the following arrest information:

• Inmate's Name
• Age
• Inmate ID
• Committed Date
• Committing Authority
• Charges
• Detainer Amount
• Detainer
• Bail Amount

This database of inmates is searchable by name or unique identifier. If searching by name, an inquirer must enter the first and last name. Similarly, the unique identifier option allows the selection of an identifier from a dropdown list, including a booking number or permanent number.

Alternatively, requesters can visit the Cape May County Sheriff's Office, specifically the Jail Records Division, to inspect or submit a record request for free arrest records. The Sheriff's Office is located at:

4 Moore Road DN 301
Cape May Court House,
NJ 08210
Phone: (609) 465-1233
Fax: (609) 463-6464

Get Cape May County Criminal Records

A criminal record is comprehensive official documentation generated by local courts, jailhouses, and law enforcement agencies at the local and state levels on the criminal history of a convicted individual.

Persons looking for Cape May County criminal records may visit the website of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), the state's custodian of criminal history data records.

Cape May County applicants should consider following the steps below to obtain their criminal history record information (CHRI) through the NJSP website:

1. To begin with, applicants must schedule an appointment with a state-authorized fingerprint-capturing vendor to have their fingerprints taken for CHRI checks.
2. Obtaining an applicant's fingerprints during the capturing process enables the authorities to verify and link the applicant's identity to the criminal records repository.
3. The cost of fingerprinting is $45.73, and applicants can pay through various methods, such as VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover, prepaid debit cards, or electronic debit (ACH) from their checking account.
4. Applicants can access the Personal Record Request letter on the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) website within 24 to 72 hours of fingerprinting. This letter represents an official request for their CHRI.
5. Applicants must select the appropriate code for the fingerprint-based New Jersey criminal history check they require from the NJSP's site.
6. Requesters must obtain their Personal Record Request within 90 days of the fingerprinting process, starting from the date of fingerprinting. Otherwise, they will have to repeat the process, incurring extra costs.

If they do not receive a response within ten working days of submitting their requests, applicants may contact the Criminal Information Unit at (609) 882-2000 ext. 2302 or email them at CIU@njsp.gov for assistance.

Applicants should review the guidelines for obtaining a personal criminal history record check on the NJSP's website to ensure a smooth application process.

Requesters may also apply for criminal background checks through the Cape May County Sheriff's Office. However, applicants must submit requests via the US Postal Service with a return self-addressed stamped envelope and a signed copy of the subject's records release form. The Sheriff's Office does not permit requests sent by telephone, fax, or email. Completed criminal background check packets should be sent to:

Cape May County Sheriff's Office
4 Moore Road, DN-301
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
ATTN: I.D. Unit

Cape May County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records are not synonymous; they are different documents. An arrest record is an official law enforcement agency report detailing an individual's detainment. In Cape May County, arrest records are usually prepared by police departments and the County Sheriff's Office.

Even though law enforcement agencies derive extensive arrest information during the booking exercise, only a portion of these details are available to the public under the New Jersey Open Records Act. Such details include:

• The arrestee's personal information.
• The incident (location, nature of charges, arresting agency, and officer).
• The outcome of the arrest.

Possessing an arrest record does not imply a conviction, nor is it proof of criminal behavior.

On the other hand, criminal history records are comprehensive documents that detail a person's criminal history.

On the other hand, criminal history records include details on convictions, sentences, and other legal actions against a person regarding criminal activity. These records are usually maintained in the database of a principal custodian agency, such as the New Jersey State Police.

Unlike arrest records, which enjoy some level of public access restriction, criminal records can be requested by individuals, agencies, and private organizations to ascertain a person's eligibility and trustworthiness for housing, rental, or employment purposes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In New Jersey, arrest records will stay on an individual's record indefinitely unless expunged. Under New Jersey's Clean Slate Law, the courts will automatically expunge a person's complete record of arrests and convictions if they lived a crime-free life for ten years since their last conviction.

The 10-year waiting period also applies to release from incarceration or completion of probation, whichever comes last. However, criminal offenses such as murder, rape, arson, robbery, and kidnapping are not eligible for expungement.

Expunge Cape May County Arrest Records

Petitioners who wish to file requests for the expungement of Cape May County criminal records should visit the New Jersey Courts website to use their eCourts Expungement System. Eligible persons can access the platform via the New Jersey Courts website but need their case number to start the process.

On the eCourt website, applicants must sign up as first-time users or sign in as returning users. They must also review the user guide to smoothly navigate the expungement petition filing process.

The expungement filing process does not always require a court appearance, but the court may ask a petitioner to appear to provide extra information.

Cape May County Arrest Warrants

Cape May County arrest warrants are official orders issued by a judge authorizing law enforcement authorities to apprehend someone accused of a crime. These documents are issued when there is probable cause to believe an individual has committed a crime, as demonstrated by evidence or affidavits.

A judge may issue a warrant for arrest for various reasons, including failure to appear in court, violation of probation conditions, or regarding a new allegation. They can also issue warrants for specific offenses, such as criminal, domestic, juvenile, and others.

In Cape May County, the Warrants Unit of the Sheriff's Office is in charge of executing warrants issued by the Superior Courts of New Jersey. Once the Identification Unit has collected the required information, Officers of the Warrants Unit attempt to serve the warrants. The Unit can also execute warrants from any Federal, State, or New Jersey municipality, including civil warrants issued for a subject.

Cape May County Arrest Warrant Search

The NJSP website has a Wanted List page where visitors can access arrest information on wanted persons. Furthermore, visitors can access a list of individuals who escaped from state correctional facilities by clicking "Offenders Information" and scrolling to "Escapes." To access more information on a particular offender, they should click on the "sbi number".

Alternatively, requesters can visit the County Sheriff’s Office's Warrants Unit to inquire about active warrants. They can also reach the Unit on (609) 463-6425.

Do Cape May County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Cape May County arrest warrants do not expire. They will only become ineffective if the subject of the warrant has their day in court, passes away, or a judge quashes the warrant for whatever reason. Individuals with outstanding warrants against them stand the risk of arrest during a random interaction with law enforcement officials.