Hunterdon County Arrest Records

Under New Jersey state law (N.J.S.A. § 2C:104-5), law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest individuals without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe that:

• A crime has been or is being committed;
• The individual may refuse to cooperate with the ongoing investigation;
• The individual possesses information critical to the prosecution of a crime;
• Delays in obtaining a warrant may lead to the suspect's flight or the destruction of evidence.

In Hunterdon County, New Jersey, an arrest may be conducted with or without a warrant, depending on the circumstances surrounding the offense. Following an arrest, the arresting agency or officer generates arrest records to provide an official account of the apprehension. These records are primarily managed by county law enforcement but will sometimes be referenced in judicial proceedings and included in Hunterdon County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hunterdon County?

Yes, arrest records in Hunterdon County are generally public under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1), which ensures transparency and access to government records. This allows citizens to request, inspect, and obtain copies of arrest records maintained by local law enforcement agencies.

However, there are exceptions to protect certain sensitive information. Some records are classified as confidential and are exempt from public disclosure under O.P.R.A. These include:

• Juvenile arrest records: Arrests involving individuals under the age of 18 are protected due to privacy concerns.
• Medical records of the arrestee: This information is protected under health privacy laws.
• Criminal investigatory records: Active investigations or investigatory materials that could compromise the process are kept confidential.
• Crime victim records: To protect the privacy of victims, certain details are withheld from public view.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Hunterdon County typically contain essential details about the arrestee and the incident, including:

• The Inmates ID number
• Full name of the arrested individual
• Date of birth
• Date of arrest and booking
• Criminal charges and descriptions
• Bail or bond amounts
• The court where the case will be heard
• Case number (if available)

Hunterdon County Crime Rate

The New Jersey State Police compiles and publishes annual crime reports as part of the state's Uniform Crime Reporting (U.C.R.) system. According to the 2021 Uniform Crime Report, Hunterdon County reported relatively low crime rates compared to other counties in New Jersey. The most prevalent crimes were property-related, including larceny and burglary, while violent crimes such as assault were less frequent.

Hunterdon County Arrest Statistics

Based on the 2021 Crime Reports from the New Jersey State Police, Hunterdon County had a moderate number of arrests, with most being related to property crimes such as theft and burglary. Most arrests were for offenses such as larceny-theft, drug-related crimes, and minor assaults.

Find Hunterdon County Arrest Records

Individuals can submit an O.P.R.A. request to request arrest records from the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office or any local police department in the county. Requests to the Sheriff's Office can typically be made online, by mail, or in person, and per New Jersey law, the office is obligated to respond within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 7 business days. Written requests should contain the name of the record holder and details pertaining to their arrest and be addressed to:

Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office
71 Main St,
Flemington, NJ 08822
P.O. Box 2900
Phone: (908) 788-1166
Fax: (908) 806-4624

Inquirers may also download the Sheriff's Current Inmate Population Report for information regarding the county's jail facility.

Requests for Hunterdon County arrest records may also be directed to the New Jersey Department of Corrections. The New Jersey DOC's Offender Search Form allows users to search for inmates using various criteria such as:

• State Bureau of Investigation (S.B.I.) number
• First and last name
• County of arrest (e.g., Hunterdon)
• Physical descriptors like race, eye color, and ethnicity
• Current facility location
• Date of birth or age

For federal-level arrests in Hunterdon County, records can be requested from the following agencies:

• Federal Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.): The B.O.P.'s Inmate Locator allows record seekers to search for Hunterdon County arrests by name or by various identification numbers, including B.O.P. register numbers and F.B.I. numbers. In-person requests can also be made at any B.O.P. facility.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.): Hunterdon County arrest records related to federal offenses can be requested from the F.B.I. either online, by mail, or through FBI-approved channelers. A processing fee of $18 applies for these requests. Online applicants must visit a designated U.S. Post Office for fingerprint submission, and records are typically processed within 15 to 20 days.
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.): Records can be searched using the Online Detainee Locator System, which requires either an Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or biographical data.

Free Arrest Record Search in Hunterdon County

Hunterdon County residents seeking free arrest records can utilize the Inmate Search Portal of the Hunterdon County Correctional Facility, allowing a name-based search. This service provides basic information on individuals currently or previously held in custody. However, fees may be associated with the request for more detailed reports or complete access to arrest records.

Additionally, some third-party websites provide access to arrest records using basic search fields like a name or location. While these platforms may offer free search capabilities, they typically charge fees for full access or downloadable copies of the records.

Get Hunterdon County Criminal Records

Criminal records encompass a more comprehensive history of an individual's involvement with the justice system, including arrest details, charges, indictments, and dispositions.

The New Jersey state police processes requests for criminal record checks through its Identification & Information Technology Section. There are two options available to requesters:

Name-Based Criminal Record Checks

Name-based checks require the submission of an SBI 212B Form online. Results are generally provided via email within a short period, and requesters are charged a fee of $20 for this service (this is reduced to $12 for volunteers).

Fingerprint-Based Criminal Record Checks

This method requires the subject to submit fingerprints through an electronic live scan at an approved site. The fee for the fingerprint service is $45.73 and the fingerprint scan results are processed within 24 to 72 hours. The records may be downloaded from the system for up to 90 days.

The section also processes name-based and fingerprint-based Non-criminal Justice Volunteer Background Checks for $12 and $33.73 respectively.

Hunterdon County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In New Jersey, an arrest record is created whenever a person is detained by law enforcement. Arrest records contain details about the individual, the booking process, and the charges filed. These records are often available to the public under the Open Public Records Act (O.P.R.A.) but may exclude sensitive information such as personal identifiers, juvenile records, or ongoing investigatory details.

By contrast, criminal records are more extensive, encompassing not just arrest information but also subsequent legal proceedings, including indictments, court hearings, and final dispositions. According to N.J. Admin. Code § 13:59-1.1, criminal records are held by criminal justice agencies and include identifiable descriptions, charges, and the outcomes of legal actions following an arrest.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Hunterdon County, as in the rest of New Jersey, arrest records generally remain on a person's record indefinitely unless they are expunged. Expungement, which is the legal process of sealing or removing records, is not available for all arrests. The New Jersey Department of Treasury sets forth guidelines for the retention of arrest records, which are managed through the Records Management Services. These retention schedules are followed by all municipal police departments across the state, including those in Hunterdon County.

The retention schedule for various arrest-related records includes the following:

• Crime reports: 5 years.
• Juvenile logbooks: 25 years after the final entry.
• Juvenile records: 5 years after the individual reaches the age of majority.
• Criminal history control listings: Maintained permanently.
• Criminal arrest records (excluding homicide): 75 years.
• Criminal records (no arrest made): 7 years, except for records of homicide, missing persons, or stolen weapons.
• Arrest card files: 75 years.
• Arrest listings: 1 year after the final entry.
• Copies of arrest reports: Held until the final disposition of the case.
• Assigned investigation listings: 1 year after the final listing.
• Confidential informant reports: 1 year.

Expunge Hunterdon County Arrest Records

The process for expunging an arrest record in Hunterdon County is as follows:

Step 1: Obtain a Criminal History Record

The applicant must request a copy of their criminal history from the New Jersey State Police by submitting their fingerprints electronically via live scan at an approved site.

Step 2: Complete and File Expungement Forms

The individual must complete the Petition for Expungement, Order for Hearing, and Expungement Order forms, making 3 copies of each. The forms, along with a cover letter, must be filed with the Hunterdon County Superior Court. A filing fee of $52.50 is required, payable by certified check or money order. These documents can be submitted by mail or in person at:

Hunterdon County Courthouse
65 Park Ave,
Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: (908) 824-9750

Step 3: Schedule the Hearing

The court will review the petition and schedule a hearing between 35 and 60 days after receiving the request. The petitioner will receive a "Filed" copy of the petition with an assigned docket number and the scheduled hearing date and time.

Step 4: Notify Relevant Agencies

Once the court schedules the hearing, the petitioner must mail certified copies of the filed petition to relevant law enforcement and government agencies,

Step 5: Attend the Hearing

The petitioner must appear at the scheduled hearing. The judge will review the case, taking into account any objections from law enforcement. If the petition is granted, the judge will sign an expungement order, and the court will mail a copy to the petitioner.

Step 6: Distribute the Expungement Order

Once received, the petitioner must mail copies of the expungement order to all agencies involved in the case. These agencies will then remove or seal the arrest records.

Individuals may also apply for expungement using the New Jersey eCourts Expungement System, an online platform that allows users to file expungement petitions electronically.

Hunterdon County Arrest Warrants

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:104-4, a judge in Hunterdon County may issue an arrest warrant if there is clear and convincing evidence that the person named in the warrant needs to be arrested. Warrants can be executed by any authorized law enforcement officer under N.J. Ct. R. 3:3-3.

Hunterdon County Arrest Warrant Search

Arrest warrant information in Hunterdon County can be accessed online or in person at the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office. In-person requests can be made during business hours at:

Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office
8 Court St,
Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: (908) 788-1166

Do Hunterdon County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Hunterdon County do not expire. They remain valid indefinitely until executed or canceled by the court. A judge may issue a new arrest warrant to correct errors, such as incorrect defendant names or misidentified charges. If the arrest is made in a county other than Hunterdon, the individual must be brought before a local committing judge in that county.