Cumberland County Arrest Records

Cumberland County, New Jersey, is served by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, the New Jersey State Police, and municipal police departments. These agencies have the authority to make arrests when an individual is caught in the act of committing a crime or when there is probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a crime. Arrests in Cumberland County may be conducted with or without a warrant, depending on the circumstances. Under New Jersey law, arrests without a warrant are authorized under N.J.S.A. 2A:162-15 when the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed a crime.

When an arrest is made in Cumberland County, the arresting agency usually creates a formal arrest record. This record contains information about the arrest, including the charges, details of the event, and the individual's booking information. These records are primarily managed by the law enforcement agencies that generate them. However, after the case is reviewed by the county prosecutor or the individual arraigned, the arrest record becomes part of the legal proceedings. It is typically included in Cumberland County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Cumberland County?

Yes, arrest records in Cumberland County are considered public under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (O.P.R.A.), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. This law allows individuals to request and obtain arrest records unless the records are legally protected or sealed. Some of these records that are exempt from public access include juvenile records, documents containing sensitive medical information, or records related to an ongoing investigation. In cases where a record is sealed or expunged under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1, the public will also not have access unless a court order is obtained.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Cumberland County public arrest records generally include the following:

• Personal information of the arrestee: Full name, date of birth, gender, home address, and a physical description (height, weight, etc.)
• Details of the arrest: Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Arresting Agency: The law enforcement agency that made the arrest
• Charges filed against the individual: The specific offenses the arrestee is being accused of, based on the New Jersey Criminal Code
• Mugshots and fingerprints: Taken during booking
• Bail and bond information: If applicable, details of any bail amount set or release conditions
• Court dates: The initial court appearance and subsequent hearing dates related to the charges

Cumberland County Crime Rate and Arrest Statistics

Local law enforcement agencies document the crime rate in Cumberland County through the Uniform Crime Reporting (U.C.R.) program. According to independent reports, Cumberland County has experienced a variety of crimes, with property crimes such as larceny theft and burglary being the most common. Violent crimes such as aggravated assault and robbery are less frequent but still present in the county's crime statistics.

In 2020, there were reportedly 3,800 criminal incidents, with a crime rate of 1,250 per 100,000 residents. The most common offenses were larceny-theft, which accounted for nearly half of all reported crimes, followed by burglary and assault. Arrests were made for a wide range of offenses, including:

• Larceny-theft: 700 arrests
• Assault: 250 arrests
• Burglary: 150 arrests
• Robbery: 80 arrests
• Motor vehicle theft: 50 arrests
• Rape: 12 arrests
• Murder: 4 arrests

Find Cumberland County Arrest Records

To obtain an arrest record, individuals may visit the office of the arresting agency, such as the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office or the respective municipal police department. For requests directed to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, inquirers may send a written request to the Sheriff's Identifications & Communications Section at:

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
220 North Laurel Street
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Phone: (856) 451-4449

Online inmate searches (for current and past detainees) may also be performed using the Cumberland County Incarcerated Person Lookup Tool. Requesters will also be required to furnish the engine with the inmates first and last name for their search to be processed.

The New Jersey Department of Corrections offers an Offender Search Tool that can be used to find arrest information for individuals in state correctional facilities. In order to conduct a search, inquirers can use the inmate's name or a State Bureau of Identification (S.B.I.) number. Additional search criteria include:

• Name (first and last)
• S.B.I. number
• Gender, race, and ethnicity
• Facility location
• Date of birth or age range

Individuals seeking federal arrest information for inmates in federal custody can utilize the Federal Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) inmate search tool. The search criteria available include:

• First, middle, and last name
• Race, gender, and age
• B.O.P. register number
• F.B.I. number
• I.N.S. number

Free Arrest Record Search in Cumberland County

Cumberland County residents can access limited arrest information for free by using third-party databases or services. These independent services may provide basic information about an arrest, but they cannot access confidential records, and their databases may not always be up-to-date or accurate. While some information is available for free, accessing full records may require the payment of a fee.

Get Cumberland County Criminal Records

A criminal record contains more comprehensive information about an individual's history with the criminal justice system, including arrest records, charges, convictions, and sentencing details. In New Jersey, criminal history checks are handled by the New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit through county law enforcement agencies, such as the Sheriff's Office.

To conduct a New Jersey criminal history check, residents must submit fingerprints through an authorized third-party vendor or the Sheriff's Communications Unit. The fingerprinting process can be scheduled online or by calling the vendor's toll-free number. Once fingerprints are collected, the applicant can access their personal record within 24 to 72 hours. The total fee for fingerprinting is $45.73, including the service charge and applicable sales tax. The criminal record can then be downloaded from the vendor's website.

Employers in Cumberland County may also conduct a name-based criminal history check for prospective employees. This process does not require fingerprints but instead relies on personal identifiers such as the individual's name, date of birth, and social security number. The criminal history check is initiated by submitting the SBI 212 form on the Name Check Record Request portal. The cost of a name-based criminal history check is $20 for regular requests and $12 for volunteer background checks.

Cumberland County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While both arrest records and criminal records are integral to the criminal justice system, they serve distinct purposes. An arrest record is created at the time of arrest and contains details about the incident and the charges filed against the individual. On the other hand, a criminal record is more comprehensive, including the individual's entire history with the criminal justice system, such as previous arrests, convictions, sentencing, and probation or parole details. Arrest records are often the starting point for a criminal record, but the criminal record encompasses more extensive information about the individual's legal history.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Cumberland County, New Jersey, arrest records for individuals convicted of a crime are generally maintained indefinitely. They are typically retained until they are eligible for expungement per the provisions of the New Jersey Expungement Law (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1).

However, for individuals who were arrested but not convicted—either because they were found not guilty or the charges were dismissed—their arrest records may be automatically expunged. This is also the case for those who are acquitted or whose charges have been dropped. Nevertheless, persons who entered into plea agreements leading to convictions on other charges are not eligible to have their charges automatically expunged.

Expunge Cumberland County Arrest Records.

The eligibility for expungement of arrest records in Cumberland County depends on the type of offense and the individual's criminal history. For example, indictable offenses (felonies) may require a longer waiting period before expungement is possible, whereas disorderly person offenses (misdemeanors) may have shorter eligibility periods. Juvenile records and municipal ordinance violations may have different eligibility criteria, making it important for individuals to consult with an attorney or review the specific statutes under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq. before proceeding.

To apply for an expungement in Cumberland County, individuals must file a petition with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Cumberland County Vicinage. The petition should include details about the arrest, charges, and case outcomes, along with the legal basis for requesting expungement. If the court approves the petition, the arrest record will be sealed, meaning that it will no longer be accessible to the general public.

Cumberland County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Cumberland County are official writs authorizing the apprehension and detention of an individual within county limits. According to N.J.S.A. 2C:6-1, the warrant must be issued by a judge after reviewing the evidence and determining that it meets the standard of probable cause.

A typical arrest warrant includes the full name of the suspect, the alleged offense, the date of issuance, and the signature of the judge.

Cumberland County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals looking to verify whether an arrest warrant has been issued in Cumberland County can contact the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, municipal police departments within the county may also have information regarding active warrants. For state-wide information, the New Jersey Most Wanted Fugitives list provides details on individuals with active arrest warrants throughout the state, including Cumberland County.

Arrest warrant information may also be found within court records. Non-confidential court records can be accessed by visiting the county courthouse or by using the New Jersey Courts Public Access portal, where users can search for case information by name, docket number, or other identifying details.

Do Cumberland County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Cumberland County do not expire. Once issued, an arrest warrant remains active indefinitely until it is executed or quashed by the court. Law enforcement agencies are obligated to execute an active warrant regardless of how much time has passed.