Jersey City Arrest Records

In Jersey, law enforcement officers can make arrests, with or without a warrant, if they have probable cause, a reasonable belief based on facts that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed. Jersey City Police Department and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office typically make arrests in Jersey City. Arrested individuals are held in the Hudson County Correctional Center.

Upon arrest, law enforcement collects the arrestee's personal data, fingerprints, mugshot, and arrest details. Apart from being used by the arresting agency, the records are submitted to the NJ State Police’s Bureau of Identification (SBI) under N.J. Stat. § 53:1-15 for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database. This information also feeds into prosecutor dockets, jail or correctional rosters, and the Hudson County Arrest Records.

Are Jersey City Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Jersey arrest records are public records under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and the New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC 13:59-1). These laws permit public access to arrest records. However, certain arrest records or data are exempt from public disclosure. These include juvenile arrest records, sealed or expunged records, information related to active criminal investigations, medical records, confidential informants, and sensitive personal data (e.g., SSNs). Note: To access restricted records, requesters must provide a court order or proof of direct, tangible interest.

Jersey City Crime Rate

According to data from the Jersey City Police Department, the crime rate breakdown in Jersey City from 2023 to mid-2025 is as follows:

• Shooting incidents held steady at 29 in 2023 and 2024, then dropped to 25 in 2025. Homicides remained low, fluctuating slightly from 9 (2023) to 6 (2024) and back to 9 (2025).
• Property crimes declined in 2025. Robbery fell from 480 in 2024 to 198, burglary from 577 to 256, theft from 4,125 to 2,030, and stolen vehicles from 806 to 405.
• Aggravated assaults dropped by nearly half, from 986 in 2024 to 502 in 2025. Criminal mischief also declined sharply, from 1,940 to 1,124.

Overall, the data reflect significant reductions in both violent and property crimes.

Find Jersey City Arrest Records

To obtain Jersey City arrest records, submit a request to the agency that handled the arrest (e.g., the Jersey City PD or the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office). To facilitate a request, have the arrestee’s name, date of birth, and arrest date. For Jersey City Police arrest records, call the Records Room at (201) 547-5313 or visit:

Jersey City Police Department (Records Room)
2 Jackson Square (356 MLK Drive)
Jersey City, NJ 07305

To obtain arrest records from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, visit the Records Bureau at Hudson Plaza, 257 Cornelison Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Phone: (201) 392-2145. Search and copy fees may apply. For records of Jersey arrestees currently in custody, call the Hudson County Correctional Center’s Record Room at (201) 395-5600 ext. 5082/5083.

Free Arrest Record Search in Jersey City

To freely search Jersey arrest records, individuals should contact the Jersey PD or the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office. Be sure to provide the arrest date, time, and location. Note that copies may incur fees. Alternatively, the public can use third-party public records sites to search for and look up Jersey City arrest records. While they can be helpful, these sites may not contain updated records and often limit free searches to basic records.

Criminal Background Check in New Jersey

The New Jersey State Police (NJSP), through its State Bureau of Identification (SBI), releases statewide Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) for non-criminal justice purposes under N.J.A.C. 13:59-1 et seq., via fingerprint-based and name-based background record checks.

Fingerprint-Based Background Check

In New Jersey, 4 types of fingerprint-based background checks are available through IdentoGO. Residents can request their own NJ criminal history for $45.73 by visiting the “NJ Residents Personal Background Request” page. Previous residents or employees outside the state may request their NJ criminal record at the same cost via the “Out-of-State Personal Background Request” page. For nonprofit youth-serving organizations, the Volunteer Review Operation (VRO) provides NJ and federal background checks ($25.73 for volunteers and $57.73 for employees) through the “Volunteer Review Operation” page. Additionally, the Volunteer Care Provider (VCP) Program offers NJ-only background checks for qualified volunteers and IRS-qualified entities at $33.73 for fingerprint-based or $12 for name-based, available through the  "Noncriminal Justice Volunteer Background Checks/VCP" page.

Name-Based Background Check

Individuals cannot use a name-based check to obtain their records. Eligible parties include government agencies, employers, volunteer organizations, and licensed private detectives. Standard requests cost $20; volunteer-related ones cost $12. Eligible parties can use the “Online 212B Form” to submit a request or create a portal account through the “Name-Based Background Check” page.

Jersey City Inmate Search

Jersey authorities typically transfer individuals convicted of serious crimes to New Jersey state prisons. The public can search for such inmates through the NJ DOC Inmate Search using name, SBI number, birth date, gender, or other criteria like county, race, eye/hair color, and ethnicity.

Jersey City Police Record Lookup

To request police records (e.g., incident reports, arrest affidavits, or CAD) from the Jersey Police Department:

• Visit the Records Room at 2 Jackson Sq. (356 MLK Drive), Jersey, NJ 07305.  A photo ID,  the incident, or CAD number will be required to expedite a request.
• Call the Records Room at (201) 547-5313

Note that the records containing sensitive data, juvenile information, or details related to ongoing investigations will be redacted or excluded from release.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Jersey City?

In Jersey, arrests remain indefinitely on a person’s criminal record unless sealed or expunged by court order or under automatic expungement laws. The Clean Slate law (NJSA 2C:52-5.3) allows automatic expungement, typically after 10 years, for non-serious arrests/convictions. First-time, low-level offenses dismissed through diversion may be cleared in as little as 6 months. Serious charges like murder or sexual assault aren’t eligible for automatic expungement.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Jersey City?

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 et seq., individuals in Jersey City can petition to have arrest records expunged. Common eligibility criteria include:

• Dismissed charges or acquittal
• Completion of a diversionary program 
• A limited criminal history, typically no more than one indictable conviction and up to three disorderly persons offenses
• A first-time drug offense committed before the age of 21
• Completion of all sentencing terms and satisfaction of the required waiting period:
• 5 years for indictable offenses (may be reduced to four with judicial discretion)
• 3 to 5 years for disorderly persons offenses
• 2 years for municipal ordinance violations
• No waiting period for dismissed charges or acquittals

Others include the Clean Slate Expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3, which allows individuals to petition to expunge their records after 10 years of no crime and having completed all sentences, payments, and supervision. This applies to indictable (felony) and disorderly persons (misdemeanor) offenses. Also, individuals who have completed a state-approved drug court can expunge all related arrests and convictions under the Drug Court Expungement (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-14(m)).

Eligible individuals who want to expunge their arrest records for free can apply for an expungement online using the state’s eCourts Expungement System. It's free. They'll need their case number to get started. Once they have registered on the system, they can follow the user guide to file an expungement petition. Individuals can also refer to the official New Jersey expungement handbook for more information and required documents for expungement in the state.

Jersey City Warrant Search

Warrants are legal orders that authorize law enforcement to carry out specific actions. For example, an arrest warrant empowers the police to apprehend and detain a named individual for a criminal offense. A bench warrant, on the other hand, grants law enforcement the authority to arrest a person for failing to appear in court or for failing to comply with a court order. To check a warrant status, individuals can visit the municipal court, the Jersey PD, or the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office with a photo ID or use third-party New Jersey warrant search sites online. Note: Appearing in person with an active warrant may result in arrest.

Jersey Municipal Court
Lewis S. McRae Justice Complex
365 Summit Avenue
Jersey, NJ 07306
Phone: (201) 209-6700. 

Jersey Police Department
2 Jackson Square
356 MLK Drive
Jersey, NJ 07305
Phone:  (201)-547-5313.

Hudson County Sheriff's Office (Records Bureau)
Hudson Plaza
257 Cornelison Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: (201) 392-2145.

Do Jersey City Warrants Expire?

No. Jersey felony and misdemeanor warrants have no expiration date. They stay active until the subject is arrested and taken into custody, withdrawn by the issuing judge, or voided by the suspect’s death. However, for other warrants, if the underlying offense is not prosecuted within the statutory window—usually five years for indictable crimes and one year for disorderly persons offenses, the warrant may become void.