Middlesex County Arrest Records

Law enforcement agencies create arrest records when they take individuals into custody. Arrest records contain personal information of the arrestees and the reasons for their arrest. Several law enforcement agencies within Middlesex County create arrest records as part of their work. These include the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, the New Jersey State Police, and other state and federal law enforcement agencies.

An arrest may become necessary:

• If an officer witnesses a crime
• If law enforcement has evidence of a crime
• If there is an active warrant on a suspect
• To prevent immediate harm
• If there is evidence that a suspect wants to flee to avoid capture
• To preserve evidence
• If there is a case of domestic violence
• To ensure public safety and order.

There are several facilities for holding arrestees and detaining convicts in Middlesex County, NJ. These include

• Temporary holding facilities such as local police departments and court holding cells
• The Middlesex County Adult Correction Center
• The Middlesex County Workhouse
• The Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center
• State or Federal Facilities (for serious crimes).

Middlesex County arrest records are underlying documents for criminal case prosecutions within Middlesex County court; for that reason, they are part of Middlesex County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Middlesex County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Middlesex County and the rest of New Jersey. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) declared government records (including Middlesex County arrest records) readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination within limitations on the right of access accorded by the law.

Notwithstanding the legal declaration of the public right of access to Middlesex County arrest records, arrest information relating to sealed or expunged records, minors, ongoing judicial or law enforcement investigations, victims or witnesses, Informants, or undercover law enforcement agents are exempted from public scrutiny. These records are accessible to their owners, law enforcement and legally authorized entities, or persons with court orders.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records contain information about the arrestees, the reason they were apprehended, and the conditions of their arrest. Generally, these include

• The name, age, race, and gender of the owner of the record
• Charges against the individual
• Time, date, and location of the arrest
• Name of the arresting agency and badge number of the officer responsible for the arrest
• Case number, mugshots, and fingerprints
• Bail or Bond amount
• Court appearance information (if applicable).

Middlesex County Crime Rate

Data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) reports show a rise in Middlesex County's crime rate in 2022. The East Brunswick Police Department, Highland Park Police Department, Carteret Police Department, and other contributing local law enforcement agencies reported over 85 violent and 1,237 property crime incidents within Middlesex County in 2022. In 2021, the same agencies reported 47 violent crimes and 776 property-related offenses. Between 2021 and 2022, larceny offenses were the most consistent crime. The NIBRS data showed 609 and 1,007 larceny theft incidents in 2021 and 2022. In contrast, there were 414 and 273 simple assault cases (the next highest crime) for the same period.

Middlesex County Arrest Statistics

Arrest statistics show a significant increase in Middlesex County arrestees in 2022. Various NIBRS participating agencies reported over 900 arrests for arrestable offenses. In contrast, less than 700 persons were arrested by the agencies in the previous year. However, there was a varying trend in the number of arrests for specific crimes. The table below outlines the 2021 and 2022 arrest reports to the NIBRS by some law enforcement agencies within Middlesex County.

Data Source: FBI Crime Explorer.

Find Middlesex County Arrest Records

There are several ways to look for Middlesex County arrest records online and offline. To access Middlesex County arrest records:

• Visit the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office and submit an OPRA request to access arrest records.
• Log in to the Middlesex County Department of Corrections Inmate Lookup Portal), and use name, age, gender, inmate number, and release date to search for arrest records through inmates' criminal records.
• Submit OPRA requests to local police departments and law enforcement agencies to access arrest records in their possession.

Free Arrest Record Search in Middlesex County

The New Jersey Open Public Records Act empowers public records custodians to charge reasonable access fees when providing access to records in their custody.

However, interested individuals can obtain information about Middlesex County arrests for free. For free access to Middlesex County arrest records, log in to the Middlesex County Department of Corrections Inmate Lookup Portal and use the online search tools to obtain arrest information from inmates' criminal records. Alternatively, search online for Middlesex County arrest records through third-party websites. Some private online repositories offer free access to law enforcement records (including those of Middlesex County).

Get Middlesex County Criminal Records

Middlesex County criminal records contain information about criminal history. It encompasses all documents relating to criminal case prosecutions within the Middlesex County Superior Court. These include arrest information and documents relating to prosecutions, convictions, and incarceration of individuals within the county.

Individuals seeking access to Middlesex County criminal records should

• Visit the Clerk's Offices of the Middlesex County Superior or Municipal Court and submit an OPRA request to access their criminal records.
• Log in to the New Jersey Courts Public Access Portal, enter the name, indictment/accusation number, county name, or case details record number into the search tools, and look for criminal records from Middlesex County courts. Alternatively, click Search Criminal Judgements on the New Jersey Court Find a Case Page.
  • Select Middlesex from the Search in County menu
  • Choose a search criteria from the
  • Enter the necessary information into the search tools
  • Click the Search icon to look for Middlesex County criminal records
• Request access to Middlesex County criminal records through the New Jersey State Police Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) request page.

Middlesex County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Middlesex County arrest and criminal records are law enforcement and court records. Notwithstanding, there are clear distinctions in their functions, creation, impacts, and legal implications.

Arrest records are evidential documents detailing law enforcement apprehension and detention of individuals for arrestable offenses. On the other hand, criminal records are comprehensive details of individuals' interactions with the criminal justice system.

Arrest records contain personal details, reasons for arrest, booking information, and the conditions for release. A criminal record details the prosecution, conviction, and incarceration of individuals for criminal offenses.

Arrest records are not confirmatory documents. An arrestee is innocent of an offense unless the court states otherwise. Criminal records are evidence of legal prosecutions and convictions for crimes.

Criminal records have greater negative impacts on employment and other opportunities. Also, there may be a lifelong stigmatization of individuals convicted of criminal offenses.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Per New Jersey and federal laws, arrest information may stay on a record indefinitely. However, the New Jersey Expungement Law grants individuals the right to petition the court to seal or remove their arrest information if they fulfill the eligibility requirements.

Expunge Middlesex County Arrest Records

The New Jersey Expungement Law offers individuals a pathway to seal or remove arrest information from their records and avoid the negative impacts they may have on employment, housing, and other opportunities. However, this opportunity is available for certain offenses and individuals who fulfill the requirements.

According to the New Jersey Expungement Law, the following requirements apply to the sealing and removal of arrest information from records within the state:

• The arrest must not lead to a conviction
• The record is for a non-violent felony or misdemeanor conviction
• There are no subsequent convictions since the offense the individual wants to expunge
• The intending petitioner must complete the sentence for the offense (including probation and parole), pay all fines, and make restitutions (if applicable)
• An individual can expunge a felony and three misdemeanor records in a lifetime.

Per New Jersey expungement laws, the following waiting period applies to the sealing and removal of arrest information in New Jersey:

• Non-violent felonies - 5 years after completing the sentence for the crime
• Misdemeanors - 5 years after completing the sentence for the offense
• Arrest without conviction - there is no waiting period. However, there is a 6-month waiting period for dismissed cases.

The following guidelines may be helpful to eligible individuals seeking to expunge Middlesex County arrest records.

• Obtain the criminal case disposition from the court that handled the case and a certified copy of criminal history from the New Jersey State Police.
• Download and complete an Application for Expungement of Arrest or Charge Records Form (Form A), Order for Hearing (Form B), and Proposed Expungement Order.
• Attach the disposition and criminal records to the expungement form and file a petition for sealing or removing arrest records at the Middlesex County Superior Court.
• Pay all applicable filing fees.
• Serve notice of the petition to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and other interested agencies (such as the New Jersey State Police or the arresting agency)
• Attend hearings (if any) to provide answers to questions, counter objections, or convince the court why it should seal or remove the arrest information.
• If the court grants the petition, the judge will sign the Proposed Expungement Order.
• Receive the signed Expungement Order from the judge and distribute it to the relevant agencies.
• Follow up to verify compliance and ensure that the agencies seal or remove the records from the public domain.
• Keep copies of all the documents relating to the expungement.

Middlesex County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal documents that empower law enforcement to take individuals into custody. A judge/magistrate of a Middlesex Superior or Municipal Court may issue an arrest warrant if law enforcement or prosecutors approach the court with evidence that a person committed an arrestable offense. Also, a judge/magistrate may issue a warrant for the arrest of an individual if there is proof that the person.

• Intends to flee the jurisdiction to avoid prosecution for an offense
• Is a risk to self or the public
• Is complicit in a crime
• Withholds material information that is crucial to a criminal investigation
• Disobeys a court order
• Intentionally interfere with law enforcement investigation
• Violates the terms of probation or parole.

A valid arrest warrant contains unambiguous information. These include:

• The name, aliases, gender, physical description of the subject
• Date and location of issuance
• Affidavit from law enforcement explaining the reason for the warrant
• Charges against the subject and the New Jersey law the individual allegedly violated
• Signature and seal of the issuing judge
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute and return the warrant
• Geographical areas where the warrant is valid.

Middlesex County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals who seek information about Middlesex County active arrest warrants should

• Call or visit the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office and inquire about active warrants.
• Contact local police departments for information about active arrest warrants.
• Visit the New Jersey Department of Corrections Escaped Person Page and look for information about escapees originating from Middlesex County.
• Log in to the New Jersey State Police Most Wanted Page and look for information about individuals wanted for crimes in Middlesex County.
• Visit the Middlesex County Clerk of the Superior Court and request information on court-issued arrest warrants.
• Log in to the Middlesex County Department of Corrections Wanted Inmates Page and search for information about the county's escaped inmates.
• Tune in to local radio and TV stations for News about wanted persons
• Search for Middlesex County active warrants online through third-party law enforcement records repositories
• Log in to local media websites and search for information on active arrest warrants
• Look for information about wanted individuals on local notice public boards.

Do Middlesex County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Middlesex or any other New Jersey County. In the United States, a warrant will remain active until the court recalls it, the subject dies, or law enforcement apprehends the wanted person.