Gloucester County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Gloucester County

Arrest records in Gloucester County are considered public information under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. This statute establishes that government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by citizens of New Jersey, with certain exceptions for confidentiality, privacy, and security concerns.

The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant under New Jersey law. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through the judicial process. Pursuant to § 47:1A-3, information concerning an arrest is considered a government record that must be made available to the public within 24 hours or as soon as practicable. This information typically includes:

• Name, age, residence, and occupation of the person arrested
• Text of the charges filed against the arrested person
• Identity of the investigating or arresting agency
• Time and place of the arrest
• Circumstances of the arrest

However, certain information may be redacted from arrest records to protect ongoing investigations, privacy interests, or juvenile information. The New Jersey State Police maintains specific policies regarding the release of law enforcement records in accordance with state statutes.

What's in Gloucester County Arrest Records

Gloucester County arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

• Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
• Date of birth and age at time of arrest
• Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Home address or last known residence
• Occupation (if provided)
• Identifying numbers (State ID, FBI number if applicable)
• Fingerprint classification

Arrest Details:

• Date and time of arrest
• Location of arrest
• Arresting agency and officer identification
• Reason for arrest (probable cause)
• Use of force information (if applicable)

Charge Information:

• Criminal charges filed
• Statute numbers of alleged violations
• Classification of offenses (indictable, disorderly persons, etc.)
• Degree of charges (first degree, second degree, etc.)

Warrant Information (if applicable):

• Warrant number
• Issuing court
• Date of issuance
• Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)

Booking Information:

• Booking date and time
• Processing location
• Property inventory
• Medical screening information

Bond/Bail Information:

• Bail amount set
• Bail conditions
• Release status
• Date of release (if applicable)

Court Information:

• Court of jurisdiction
• Scheduled court appearances
• Case/docket numbers

Custody Status:

• Current detention status
• Facility of incarceration (if detained)
• Expected release date (if sentenced)

Additional Information May Include:

• Prior criminal history
• Known associates
• Vehicle information
• Victim information (often redacted in public versions)
• Witness statements (often redacted in public versions)
• Evidence collected

The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with New Jersey state law and county regulations.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Gloucester County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Gloucester County may follow these procedures to obtain this information:

1. Submit an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) Request

   • Complete an OPRA request form, which can be obtained from the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office or downloaded from their website
   • Provide specific information about the record being requested, including the name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information
   • Submit the completed form in person, by mail, or electronically

2. Contact the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office Records Division

Gloucester County Sheriff's Office
2 South Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 384-4600
Gloucester County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)

3. Visit the Gloucester County Criminal Records Office

   • Appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification
   • Complete a records request form
   • Pay applicable fees for record searches and copies

4. Request Records from the Arresting Agency

   • Identify which local police department made the arrest
   • Contact that department's records division directly
   • Submit an OPRA request specific to that agency

5. Access Court Records Related to Arrests

   • Visit the Gloucester County Superior Court Criminal Division
   • Use public access terminals to search for cases
   • Request copies of public court documents related to arrests

Gloucester County Superior Court
70 Hunter Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 686-7500
New Jersey Courts

Pursuant to § 47:1A-5, requestors are entitled to immediate access to budgets, bills, vouchers, contracts, and public employee salary information. For other government records, including arrest records, custodians must provide access or deny the request as soon as possible, but not later than seven business days after receiving the request.

How To Find Gloucester County Arrest Records Online

Gloucester County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. The following methods are currently available:

1. Gloucester County Sheriff's Office Online Records Portal

   • Navigate to the Sheriff's Office Record Requests page
   • Create an account or log in to the system
   • Enter search criteria (name, date of birth, case number)
   • Submit the request electronically
   • Pay any applicable fees via the secure payment system
   • Receive records electronically when processed

2. New Jersey Judiciary Public Access System

   • Visit the New Jersey Courts Public Access website
   • Select "Case Search" from the available options
   • Enter the individual's name or case number
   • Review case information, including arrest details if available
   • Note that some information may be limited without a full records request

3. Inmate Lookup Systems

   • For individuals currently in custody, check the New Jersey Department of Corrections Offender Information system
   • Enter the individual's name or ID number
   • View current custody status and facility information
   • Note that this system only provides information on current inmates, not historical arrest records

4. Third-Party Background Check Services

   • Commercial services aggregate public records, including arrests
   • These services typically charge fees and may not have complete or current information
   • Official county sources should be used for the most accurate and up-to-date information

When using online systems, requestors should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and that not all arrest records may be available through digital platforms. For comprehensive searches, combining online research with formal records requests is recommended.

How To Search Gloucester County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public have several options to access Gloucester County arrest records without incurring fees:

1. In-Person Inspection at the Sheriff's Office
   • Visit the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours
   • Complete a records request form specifying the records to be inspected
   • Present valid identification
   • Review records on-site without charge (copying fees may apply if printouts are requested)

Gloucester County Sheriff's Office
2 South Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 384-4600

2. Public Access Terminals at the Courthouse
   • Use the public computer terminals at the Gloucester County Superior Court
   • Search for criminal cases by name or case number
   • View basic case information, including arrest details for cases that have been filed with the court

Gloucester County Superior Court
70 Hunter Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 686-7500

3. Online Public Resources

   • Check the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office website for publicly posted information about recent arrests
   • Review the "Most Wanted" section for information about individuals with outstanding warrants
   • Access the New Jersey Department of Corrections inmate lookup system for custody information

4. Local Library Resources

   • Visit the Gloucester County Library System
   • Use public computers to access online court records
   • Request assistance from reference librarians for navigating public records databases

Gloucester County Library System - Mullica Hill Branch
389 Wolfert Station Road
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Phone: (856) 223-6000

Pursuant to § 47:1A-5(f), the custodian of government records shall permit access to a government record and provide copies upon payment of the prescribed fee. However, a custodian may not charge for inspection of records, only for copies requested. When searching for records at no cost, be prepared to provide specific information about the arrest to facilitate the search process.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Gloucester County

The process of removing arrest records from public access in Gloucester County involves either expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access). These processes are governed by New Jersey state law rather than county-specific regulations.

Expungement vs. Sealing:

• Expungement is the process of removing arrests and convictions from public records as if they never occurred
• Sealing restricts access to records without completely removing them, making them unavailable to the general public but still accessible to law enforcement agencies

Eligibility for Expungement: Under N.J.S.A. § 2C:52-1, the following situations may qualify for expungement:

• Arrests that did not lead to conviction
• Certain disorderly persons offenses after a waiting period
• Certain indictable offenses after a waiting period
• Juvenile records
• Drug offenses, including those under the Conditional Discharge Program
• Special probation cases (Drug Court)

Steps to Expunge Arrest Records:

1. Determine Eligibility

   • Review the New Jersey Courts expungement eligibility guidelines
   • Consult with an attorney if necessary to confirm eligibility

2. Obtain Required Records

   • Request certified copies of all relevant court documents
   • Obtain a criminal history record from the New Jersey State Police

3. Prepare Expungement Petition

   • Complete the expungement petition forms available from the New Jersey Courts website
   • Include all required supporting documentation

4. File the Petition

   • Submit the petition to the Superior Court in the county where the arrest occurred
   • Pay the required filing fee (fee waivers may be available for those who qualify)

Gloucester County Superior Court
70 Hunter Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 686-7500

5. Serve Copies of the Petition

   • Provide copies to all relevant agencies, including:
     • The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office
     • The law enforcement agency that made the arrest
     • The New Jersey State Police
     • Any other agencies that may have records of the arrest

6. Attend Hearing (If Required)

   • If objections are filed, attend the scheduled court hearing
   • Present arguments supporting the expungement request

7. Distribute the Expungement Order

   • If granted, serve the signed expungement order to all agencies that received the petition
   • Follow up to ensure compliance with the order

For arrests related to certain violent crimes, sex offenses, or multiple serious offenses, expungement may not be available. In these cases, individuals should consult with legal counsel about alternative options for mitigating the impact of arrest records.

What Happens After Arrest in Gloucester County?

The criminal justice process in Gloucester County follows a structured sequence from arrest through final disposition. This process adheres to New Jersey state law and includes the following key stages:

1. Arrest and Booking

   • Law enforcement officers take the individual into custody
   • The arrestee is transported to a police station or the Gloucester County Corrections facility
   • Booking procedures include fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information
   • Personal property is inventoried and secured

2. Initial Detention Decision

   • Under New Jersey's Criminal Justice Reform Act, a risk assessment is conducted
   • The Pretrial Services Program evaluates the defendant's risk of flight and danger to the community
   • A recommendation is made regarding pretrial release or detention

3. First Appearance/Central Judicial Processing (CJP)

   • Occurs within 48 hours of arrest
   • Charges are formally read to the defendant
   • Constitutional rights are explained
   • Public defender may be appointed if the defendant qualifies
   • Pretrial release decision is made by the judge

4. Pretrial Release or Detention

   • Release may include conditions such as reporting, curfews, or electronic monitoring
   • If detention is ordered, the defendant remains in custody at the Gloucester County Jail
   • Detention hearings must occur within 3-5 days of the prosecutor's motion

5. Indictment Process (for Indictable Offenses)

   • The prosecutor presents evidence to a grand jury
   • If the grand jury finds probable cause, they issue an indictment
   • This process must generally occur within 90 days of arrest

6. Arraignment

   • The defendant appears in Superior Court
   • Formal charges from the indictment are read
   • The defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)

7. Pre-Trial Conference and Status Conferences

   • Discovery materials are exchanged
   • Plea negotiations may occur
   • Motions may be filed and heard
   • Trial readiness is assessed

8. Trial

   • For indictable offenses, trials occur in Gloucester County Superior Court
   • The defendant has the right to a jury trial in most cases
   • The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
   • If found guilty, sentencing is scheduled

9. Sentencing

   • The judge imposes penalties based on New Jersey sentencing guidelines
   • Sentences may include incarceration, probation, fines, or alternative programs
   • Victims may provide impact statements

10. Appeals Process

    • Defendants have the right to appeal convictions and sentences
    • Appeals must be filed within 45 days of sentencing
    • Appeals are heard by the Appellate Division of Superior Court

Throughout this process, the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office and Corrections Division are responsible for maintaining custody of detained individuals and ensuring their appearance at court proceedings.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Gloucester County?

Arrest records in Gloucester County are maintained according to the retention schedules established by the New Jersey Division of Archives and Records Management under N.J.A.C. § 15:3-2.1. These schedules mandate specific timeframes for preserving various types of law enforcement records.

Standard Retention Periods:

• Arrest Reports and Booking Information: Permanent retention
• Criminal Investigation Case Files: 75 years from date of last entry
• Criminal Identification Records: 75 years from date of last entry
• Fingerprint Cards: Permanent retention
• Mugshot Photographs: Permanent retention
• Incident Reports: 3 years after case closure
• Arrest Warrants (Executed): 15 years after execution
• Arrest Warrants (Unexecuted): Until executed or recalled by the court

Different agencies within Gloucester County maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements:

• The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records related to their operations
• Local police departments maintain their own arrest records
• The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office maintains case files for prosecuted offenses
• The Gloucester County Corrections division maintains custody and booking records

Records retention serves several important purposes within the criminal justice system:

1. Preservation of Evidence: Records may be needed for future legal proceedings
2. Statistical Analysis: Data helps track crime trends and allocate resources
3. Accountability: Documentation of law enforcement actions ensures transparency
4. Administrative Needs: Records support ongoing operations and investigations
5. Historical Documentation: Permanent records provide historical context for law enforcement activities

Even after the mandated retention period expires, many records are archived rather than destroyed due to their potential historical or administrative value. Additionally, records that have been expunged through court order are removed from public access but may be maintained in sealed files for specific law enforcement purposes as permitted by N.J.S.A. § 2C:52-15.

How to Find Mugshots in Gloucester County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken by law enforcement agencies during the booking process following an arrest. These photographs typically include front-facing and profile (side) views of the arrested individual and are used for identification purposes within the criminal justice system.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

In Gloucester County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:

• The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office for individuals processed through county facilities
• Local municipal police departments for arrests made within their jurisdictions
• The Gloucester County Corrections division for individuals booked into county detention facilities

Finding Mugshots

To locate mugshots in Gloucester County, members of the public may:

1. Submit an OPRA Request

   • Complete an Open Public Records Act request form
   • Submit to the appropriate law enforcement agency
   • Specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest
   • Indicate that a booking photograph is being requested

2. Contact the Arresting Agency Directly

   • Identify which agency made the arrest
   • Contact their records division
   • Inquire about procedures for requesting booking photographs

Gloucester County Sheriff's Office Records Division
2 South Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 384-4625

3. Request Through the County Corrections Division
   • For individuals who were incarcerated in county facilities
   • Submit requests to the records department

Gloucester County Department of Corrections
2 South Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
Phone: (856) 384-4600

Can Mugshots Be Found Online

Unlike some jurisdictions, Gloucester County law enforcement agencies do not currently maintain public-facing online databases of mugshots. However, mugshots may appear online through:

• Media outlets that publish arrest information
• Third-party websites that aggregate booking photos
• The Sheriff's Office Most Wanted section for individuals with active warrants

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

The official process for obtaining mugshots requires:

1. Proper identification of the requestor
2. Completion of required forms
3. Payment of applicable fees
4. Compliance with any restrictions on use of the photographs

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots in Gloucester County is subject to several restrictions:

• Juvenile mugshots are generally not available to the public
• Photos related to expunged arrests are not accessible
• Certain domestic violence cases may have restricted access
• Active investigations may result in temporary withholding
• Commercial use restrictions may apply under New Jersey law

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-3, while mugshots are generally considered public records, agencies may redact or withhold them if release would jeopardize personal privacy, safety, or the integrity of an investigation.

Lookup Arrest Records in Gloucester County

Sheriff's Office Record Requests

Gloucester County Sheriff's Office

Gloucester County Corrections Division

New Jersey Courts Expungement Information

New Jersey Department of Corrections Offender Information