Passaic County Arrest Records

Per New Jersey’s Code of Criminal Justice (N.J.S.A §2C:1-1 et seq.) and its accompanying guidelines, arrest in Passaic County typically occurs when:

• An individual commits an offense witnessed by a law enforcement officer
• Violates court orders such as restraining order,
• Fails to appear in court after a summons or subpoena, Or
• When arrest warrants are issued by a judge for probable cause.

Arrests are typically executed by local police departments, the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, or other law enforcement agencies. After an arrest, individuals go through the booking process, where their personal information and arrest details are recorded. They may then be detained at appropriate facilities.

The booking process in the police station or detention facility includes:

• Name, contact details, address, and physical description of the individual
• Fingerprint mugshots are taken
• Documentation of arrest details and nature of the offense
• Cross-checking for outstanding warrants or previous arrests.
• Confiscation of personal property, which will be returned on release unless used as evidence
• Medical and mental health screening for those awaiting detention
• Bail bond if applicable.

Arrested individuals may be held at the county holding facility located at:

Passaic County Jail,
11 Marshall Street,
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 881-4620

Individuals may be released on their own recognizance or given a court date for a future hearing for minor offenses. For more serious offenses, detainees are held until they appear before a judge for arraignment to determine bail or detention status.

The Passaic County Sheriff's Office and local police departments are the primary agencies responsible for creating and managing arrest records. These records document arrest processes, including arrest reports, booking sheets, and police reports that provide details about the arrest incident.

Arrest records are very important components of the criminal justice process and may interact with other records maintained by the county and public agencies. These records are generated by law enforcement agencies and are often stored and accessed through Passaic County Court Records and databases maintained by the police, prosecutors, and correctional facilities.

Are Arrest Records Public in Passaic County?

Yes, arrest records are generally considered public information under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act(OPRA) (N.J.S.A §47:1A-et seq). However, some arrest records or parts thereof may be exempt from disclosure, including:

• Juvenile records (N.J.S.A. § 2A:4A-60)
• Records relating to ongoing investigations
• Victim information for privacy protection.

Generally, only authorized parties, such as law enforcement agencies, applicants' legal representatives, and the individual named in the record, may access these restricted records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record contains the following information:

• Name, age, and address of the individual arrested.
• Date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Offense(s) the individual is charged with.
• Arresting officer's name and agency.
• Bond or bail amount if applicable.
• Arraignment or hearing dates.
• Booking Phone: (Mugshot) and fingerprint records.

Passaic County Arrest Statistics

In 2022, Passaic County reported over 9,000 arrests distributed significantly across drug offenses and theft. Accordingly, The New Jersey Department of Corrections reported that in 2024, the number of incarcerated persons in New Jersey prisons is 12,978. 347. The New Jersey State Police UCR reports a total of 660 arrests for the second quarter of 2024, ending in June. These arrests are spread across murder, burglary, robbery, assault, rape, auto theft, and Lancery, with assault taking over 70% of the figure.

Find Passaic County Arrest Records

State and federal resources for looking up arrest records include the following:

• Passaic County Sheriff's office. Individuals may request arrest records in person or by mail.
• New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC), an online statewide inmate search tool
• New Jersey State Police for criminal history checks.

Free Arrest Record Search in Passaic County.

You may access some arrest records for free via:

• Passaic County Court Records for online or in-person arrest record search
• Municipal Police departments
• Third-party sites offer limited search services. However, these third-party websites are subject to their specific policies and fees and may not be updated.

Passaic County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Passaic County, the distinction between criminal records and arrest records is that arrest records document the detention of an individual for suspicion of a crime but do not confirm guilt, while criminal records contain detailed information about the legal outcome of an arrest, including convictions, sentences, and probation orders.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In New Jersey, arrest records remain on a person's criminal history indefinitely unless expunged or sealed. Eligibility for expungement in Passaic County depends on the nature of the arrest and the outcome of the arrest or charge. Once granted, expungement ensures all public records are sealed and removed from databases like court and police systems, although private additional background checks companies may take time to update their records.

Expunge Passaic County Arrest Records

In New Jersey, expungement refers to the legal process of erasing or removing records of an arrest or criminal charges from public access, ensuring that the individual may lawfully state that the arrest or conviction never occurred. This process is enshrined in N.J.S.A §2C:52-1 et seq. (New Jersey Expungement Status). However, law enforcement agencies may retain access to expunged arrest records under certain circumstances.

Cases are eligible for Expungement under the following circumstances(N.J.S.A §2C:52-2 to 2C:52-7):

• If charges were dismissed, the individual was acquitted, or there was no indictment, and the arrest may be expunged immediately.
• Conviction for petty disorderly persons offenses are eligible for expungement after five years from the date of the conviction, payment of fines, and completion of probation.
• Disorderly persons offenses are eligible after five years.
• Indictable offenses (Felonies) are eligible after six years.
• Individuals may petition for early expungement if at least three years have passed and they may show that expungement would benefit public interest and personal rehabilitation.

Certain offenses are not eligible for expungement. These include:

• Certain violent crimes like sexual assault and homicide.
• Repeat offenses for individuals with more than one indictable offense.
• Driving under the influence offense (DUI).

Typically, the expungement process in Passaic County, New Jersey, involves the following:

• Eligible individuals may obtain a copy of their arrest records by contacting the Passaic County Sheriff's office or the Police department that made the arrest. The Passaic County Sheriff's Office is located at 77 Hamilton St, Paterson, NJ 07505, and may be contacted at (973) 389-5900.
• The petitioner must prepare and submit a petition for expungement to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Passaic County. The petition must include:
  • The arrest date and arresting agency.
  • The specific offense(s) charged.
  • Court disposition or case outcome.
  • Certification of eligibility.
• The individual then submits to the Superior Court, Criminal Division, Passaic County at 77 Hamilton St, Paterson, NJ 07505 (973) 247-8000. Individuals may pay a certain fee to that effect.
• After filing, the petitioner must serve copies of the petition on relevant agencies such as;
  • Passaic County Prosecutor's office at 401 Grand St, Paterson, NJ 07505 (973) 881-4800
  • New Jersey State Police.
  • Arresting Police Department.
  • Any other relevant law enforcement agency.

Some cases may require the court to hold a hearing to determine if expungement should be granted. The prosecutor may also oppose the petition if there are objections. At the hearing, the petitioner must demonstrate that they meet all eligibility requirements and that expungement serves justice and public interest.

If the judge grants the expungement, the court will issue an expungement order directing all relevant agencies to remove and seal the records from public access.

The New Jersey State Police will update criminal databases, and arresting agencies must remove the individual's record.

New Jersey law primarily relies on expungement, which entirely removes an arrest record from public access. However, in cases involving juvenile records, the court may opt for sealing the records, which restricts access but does not fully erase the information.

Passaic County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Passaic County are issued by judges or magistrates upon probable cause that a person committed a crime. Arrest warrants contain:

• The name and description of the suspect.
• Charges or offenses committed.
• Bail or Bond amount if applicable.
• Instructions for the warrant execution
• Signature and office of the issuing authority.

Do Passaic County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Generally, arrest warrants do not expire until the court executes or recalls them. Warrants for misdemeanor offenses may sometimes be dismissed after a long period of inactivity, but felony warrants remain active indefinitely unless quashed by a judge.