Sussex County Arrest Records

Sussex County arrest records provide detailed information regarding arrests within the county. These records are accessible through various local law enforcement agencies, such as the Sussex County Sheriff's Office, the New Jersey State Police, or the respective municipal police departments within the county. Arrest-related information may also be found in Sussex County court records or other legal documents. As part of New Jersey's commitment to transparency, access to such records is generally governed by the state's open records laws.

Are Arrest Records Public in Sussex County?

Yes, arrest records in Sussex County are generally public under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.). This Act grants the public the right to access government records, including arrest records, unless otherwise specified by law or court order. There are limitations on the disclosure of arrest records, which were established to protect the privacy and safety of individuals involved in certain cases. Some key restrictions under O.P.R.A. include:

• Ongoing Investigations: Records related to ongoing investigations may be withheld if releasing them hinders the investigation or endangers public safety.
• Juvenile Records: Arrest records involving minors are generally not disclosed to the public due to confidentiality protections.
• Victims of Sensitive Crimes: Records containing information about victims of domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual offenses are exempt from disclosure to protect their privacy.
• Convicted Persons: Individuals convicted of crimes are prohibited from accessing information about their victims or their families under specific conditions.
• Personal Identifiable Information: Details such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, credit card information, and unlisted phone numbers are generally redacted from public records.
• Judiciary and Law Enforcement Personnel: For safety reasons, the residential addresses of active or retired law enforcement officers and judiciary members are also exempt from public disclosure.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Per the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, the following information is typically available in public arrest records:

• Personal Information: Name, birthdate, race, gender, height, weight, eye color, and hair color of the individual arrested.
• Booking and Detention Information: The time and place of booking, details about detention, and bond amount, if applicable.
• Arrest Details: Date and location of the arrest, the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest, and the specific charges brought against the individual.

Sussex County Crime Rate

The crime rate in Sussex County reflects various categories of offenses reported by law enforcement agencies. According to the latest available data from the New Jersey State Police's Uniform Crime Report, Sussex County recorded a total of 1,350 criminal incidents in 2020. The majority of these offenses were property-related crimes, such as larceny, burglary, and auto theft.

• Larceny/Theft accounted for the largest proportion, with approximately 58% of reported incidents.
• Burglary made up about 20% of the total crime rate.
• Assault and robbery were also significant, though less frequent, comprising 8% and 5%, respectively.

Sussex County Arrest Statistics

Sussex County arrest statistics provide insight into the types of offenses leading to arrests within the county. In 2020, law enforcement in Sussex County made 475 arrests. A breakdown of these arrests shows that:

• Larceny was the most frequent cause of arrest, making up approximately 45% of all arrests.
• Assault followed at 25%, while burglary accounted for about 10% of the total.
• Less common arrests involved crimes such as auto theft and drug-related offenses, which together comprised around 12% of arrests.

Find Sussex County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking arrest records in Sussex County can utilize several state and county-level resources to access these records.

At the state level, the New Jersey Department of Corrections offers an Offender Search Tool that allows users to look up information on individuals incarcerated within the state's correctional facilities. This search engine enables inquiries using various identifiers, including the inmate's name/alias and S.B.I. number. Users can further refine their search using criteria like sex, race, age, birth date, facility location, and county.

For those interested in arrest records at the federal level, the Federal Inmate Locator and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Detainee Locator can help track individuals in federal prisons or immigration detention centers. Both databases can be searched by the inmate's name or assigned number. For the I.C.E. tool, inquirers may opt to search by the inmate's A-number and country of birth, while the B.O.P. tool allows users to search by the inmate's B.O.P. Register Number, D.C.D.C. Number, F.B.I. number, and I.N.S. number.

Interested members of the public may also query the Sussex County Sheriff's Office directly for arrest records. This will require sending a written request to the records department at:

Sussex County Sheriff's Office
39 High Street
Newton, NJ 07860
Phone: (973) 579-0850
Fax: (973) 579-7884

Free Arrest Record Search in Sussex County

The Sussex County Sheriff's Office allows record inspection and submission of public records requests through its Records Division for those wishing to visit in person. However, while record requests are typically processed at no cost, requesters will be charged a fee if they require physical copies of the record or if the research requires an extensive length of time.

Get Sussex County Criminal Records

Criminal records, unlike arrest records, offer a broader view of an individual's criminal history and are compiled by various law enforcement entities, including courts and correctional facilities. Requesters seeking Sussex County criminal records may visit the New Jersey State Police (N.J.S.P.) website, the state's primary repository for criminal history records.

Requesters may begin by scheduling an appointment with a state-authorized fingerprinting vendor to obtain a criminal history record. Fingerprints are crucial in verifying the individual's identity and linking it to the criminal record database. The cost for fingerprinting is $45.73, payable through methods like credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), prepaid debit cards, or electronic debit (A.C.H.).

After fingerprinting, applicants will receive a Personal Record Request letter from the N.J.S.P. within 24 to 72 hours confirming their criminal history request. Those who do not receive a response within 10 business days may contact the Criminal Information Unit at (609) 882-2000 ext. 2302 or via email at CIU@njsp.gov.

Sussex County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records are generated during the booking process and contain details of an individual's detainment, such as personal information, the nature of the charges, and the arresting agency. Criminal records, on the other hand, cover a person's full criminal history, including convictions, sentences, and legal actions taken against them.

Both records serve distinct purposes, and while arrest records indicate that an individual has been detained, they do not confirm guilt or lead to a conviction. Conversely, a criminal record indicates that a person has been adjudicated and convicted of a crime.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In New Jersey, arrest records remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless they are expunged through a legal process.

The state's Clean Slate Law (N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.3) provides a mechanism for individuals to clear their criminal records after living a crime-free life for 10 years. This law applies to Sussex County residents and ensures that individuals who meet the criteria can have both arrests and convictions automatically expunged, giving them a fresh start.

Expunge Sussex County Arrest Records

New Jersey Courts offer eligible petitioners a streamlined online process for applying for expungement through the eCourts Expungement System.

When using the eCourts platform, applicants must create an account as first-time users or login as returning users. A comprehensive user guide is available to help navigate the expungement process. In many cases, the filing process does not require a court appearance, though the court may occasionally request additional information or documentation, and the petitioner may be asked to attend a hearing.

Sussex County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Sussex County is an official document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of committing a crime. Warrants are typically issued when there is probable cause, supported by evidence or affidavits, that a person has engaged in criminal activity.

Sussex County Arrest Warrant Search

To check for active warrants in Sussex County, individuals can visit the New Jersey State Police (N.J.S.P.) website, which features a Wanted List page. Here, users can access information on individuals who have been wanted for various crimes. Additionally, the website offers a section called Offenders Information, where users can search for escapees from state correctional facilities by clicking on "Escapees" and entering the S.B.I. number (State Bureau of Identification) to view further details about specific offenders.

For more localized information, requesters can contact the Sussex County Sheriff's Office to inquire about active warrants issued within its jurisdiction.

Do Sussex County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Sussex County, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the individual is brought before the court, a judge quashes the warrant, or the individual passes away.