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  1. Somerset County Court
  2. Somerset County Arrest Records

Somerset County, New Jersey Arrest Records

Somerset County arrest records are official logs that show the legal detainment of a person by a police officer. They are created by the Somerset County Sheriff's Office and released to the public in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) to ensure transparency and public safety. 

The OPRA allows the public to view arrest records in person or by submitting written requests during the Sheriff's Office's business hours. The OPRA does not cover criminal offender record information because it is not a public record. The New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 13:59 authorizes the dissemination of criminal offender record information by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP).

Somerset County arrest records are also available to the public at the city police departments. Most of them issue these records online, by phone, email, and in person during business hours. For example, the Franklin Township Police Department provides arrest records online through its  Police Blotter and Open Public Records Requests (OPRA) form. Similarly, the Hillsborough Township Police Department issues arrest records by phone at (908) 369-4584 and by email at biancog@hillsboroughpd.org or parisb@hillsboroughpd.org.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Somerset, New Jersey?

Yes. Law enforcement agencies in Somerset County permit individuals to inspect or copy arrest records during regular business hours in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Before releasing arrest records to the public, the custodian will redact the arrested persons' credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, unlisted telephone numbers, or driver's license numbers. 

The record custodian may not charge fees for inspecting arrest records, but copies will only be released upon payment of fees. An arrest record request may be made by mail, phone, online, or in person. Basic information about the arrest may be required for the search. No ID is needed, and people from outside Somerset County may submit a request. Generally, record custodians must respond to arrest records requests within seven days.  

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

A typical public Somerset County arrest record contains the following information:

  • Inmate personal details (full name, sex, height, weight, race, marital status, hair length, date of birth, hair and eye color, country of birth, and complexion)
  • Booking number and permanent ID number 
  • Incarceration information (current location, housing cell, county, housing section, commitment date, housing bed, housing block, and projected release date)
  • Bond information (case number, bond type, amount status, the name of the person who set the bond, and the set date) 
  • Charging information (case number, offense date, code, description, grade, and degree)

However, some contents of an arrest record, or the entire document, may be withheld for privacy reasons. For example, an arrestee's social security number, driver's license number, unlisted telephone number, or credit card number will be redacted from their arrest record before public dissemination. Also, arrest records about an ongoing investigation are deemed confidential until the investigation is complete.

Somerset County, New Jersey Arrest Search

The New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) allows the general public to view arrest information of Somerset County offenders housed in state prison online through the Offender Search Form. The search criteria include SBI number, first name, last name, county, sex, race, hair color, eye color, ethnicity, current facility location, birth date, or age. Users may select multiple search criteria, but searches are limited to 250 results. If the search returns more than 250 results, users will be prompted to modify their criteria. Alternatively, record seekers may visit the DOC's correctional facilities to perform a search in person. 

Federal law enforcement agencies also make arrest records available to the public, except for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which restricts access to subjects of the records. The FBI issues Somerset County arrest records to eligible individuals online, by mail, and through approved channelers for $18. Other federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and United States Capitol Police (USCP), offer arrest records to the public online and in person at their local facilities. Specifically, the BOP uses its Inmate Locator to provide online services, and users will need a name or a number to search. The ICE provides an Online Detainee Locator System that allows searches using a detainee's A-Number or the required biographical information. The USCP allows members of the public to find arrest records using its Weekly Crime Summary portal. 

Somerset County Inmate Locator

The Somerset County Sheriff's Office does not provide an online inmate locator. However, individuals may call the office at (908) 231-7140 or visit the office during business hours to perform an inmate search. The records staff will need the requester to provide sufficient information that will help locate the desired record. Once the record is found, a fee will be required for copies. 

Somerset County Sheriff's Office

20 Grove Street

P.O. Box 3000

Somerville, NJ 08876

Phone: (908) 231-7140

Fax: (908) 253-8949

Active Warrant Search in Somerset County

According to N.J. Rules of Court 3.3-1, a judicial officer will issue an arrest warrant if a complaint or accompanying affidavit establishes probable cause to believe that a defendant committed an offense. The officer may issue multiple warrants on the same complaint. An authorized law enforcement officer may execute the warrant at any place within the state (N.J. Rules of Court 3.3-3). A warrant is executed by arresting the defendant. The officer does not need to have the warrant in their possession at the time of the arrest, but they must show it to the defendant as soon as possible upon request. However, the officer must inform the defendant of the offense charged and the fact that a warrant has been issued during the arrest. After the arrest, the officer must promptly return the warrant to the court that issued it. 

The public may inquire about active warrants at the Somerset County Sheriff's Office. Requesters should call the office at (908) 231-7140 or visit the office during business hours to check if a warrant has been issued in their name. 

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Somerset County

The Somerset County Sheriff's Office may allow residents to inspect public arrest records without charges during business hours. Requesters may need to provide a name or booking number to facilitate the search. Once the record is located, the inquirer will be allowed to view it free of charge on the premises. However, requesters are not allowed to view expunged arrest records or any record considered confidential. Fees may apply if physical copies are requested. 

Somerset County Arrest Report

The major differences between an arrest report and an arrest record are content and dissemination. Arrest reports are confidential, while arrest records are public documents. Arrest reports are detailed documents created by a police officer after an arrest. They contain a narrative of the incident, the probable cause for the offense, the time, date, and location of the arrest, witness testimony, the evidence collected on the scene of the arrest, and the arresting officer's observations. 

Conversely, arrest records are summary entries showing that the police have apprehended a person. They contain the arrested person's name, charges, arrest date, arresting agency, and booking number. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Somerset County

In Somerset County, expungement is the removal, impounding, isolation, or sealing of arrest records on file within a law enforcement agency. Individuals must review the N.J.S.A. 2C:52-2 through N.J.S.A. 2C:52-32 to check if they are eligible for expungement. Eligible individuals should use the New Jersey eCourts Expungement System to apply for expungement without charges. Users will need to request a User ID and register for an account. After registration,  follow the user guide to file an expungement petition. If the expungement application is successful, the judge will sign an expungement order. The order will be sent to all law enforcement agencies that must remove the arrest record from their files. 

How Do You Remove Somerset County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Law enforcement agencies will remove a person's Somerset County arrest records from their databases when they receive a court order granting the expungement of the document. For example, the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) will remove the person's arrest records from the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system upon receiving an expungement order. The NJSP maintains its own Expungement Status Portal for individuals to track whether their expungement order has been processed. Once processed, the records will not be available to the public. 

However, a person may still find their arrest information on third-party websites even after expungement because only relevant government agencies are notified of expungements. This means third-party data vendors may not be aware that the record has been expunged. If this is the case, the person should submit an opt-out request on the site and attach a court order granting the expungement. This provides a legal basis for the third-party data vendor to remove the person's arrest records from their site.