Somerset County Criminal Records
What Is Somerset County Criminal Records
Somerset County criminal records are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Somerset County, New Jersey. These records are maintained pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, which establishes the legal framework for public records in New Jersey.
Criminal records in Somerset County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Somerset County Sheriff's Office or local police departments
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Court Records: Comprehensive case files maintained by the Somerset County Superior Court
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in the Somerset County Jail
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records confirm that legal proceedings determined guilt. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1, certain criminal records may be eligible for expungement, removing them from public access.
Criminal records are categorized by severity:
- Indictable Offenses: New Jersey's equivalent to felonies (first, second, third, and fourth degree)
- Disorderly Persons Offenses: Similar to misdemeanors in other states
- Petty Disorderly Persons Offenses: Minor infractions with lesser penalties
Juvenile records receive special protection under New Jersey law. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, records pertaining to individuals under 18 are generally sealed and not accessible to the public, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Somerset County:
Somerset County Sheriff's Office
20 Grove Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7140
Somerset County Sheriff's Office
Somerset County Superior Court
20 North Bridge Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7000
Somerset County Courts
New Jersey State Police
Criminal Information Unit
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
(609) 882-2000
New Jersey State Police
Are Criminal Records Public In Somerset County
Criminal records in Somerset County are generally considered public documents under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), 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 the citizens of this State, with certain exceptions, for the protection of the public interest."
The New Jersey Government Records Council, which oversees OPRA implementation, has determined that adult criminal records fall within the definition of government records subject to public disclosure. According to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1, a government record includes "any paper, written or printed book, document, drawing, map, plan, photograph, microfilm, data processed or image processed document, information stored or maintained electronically or by sound-recording or in a similar device, or any copy thereof."
However, significant exceptions exist to public access:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3
- Juvenile Records: As established in N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, records involving minors are generally confidential
- Expunged Records: Following successful expungement under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1, records are removed from public access
- Domestic Violence Records: Court records related to domestic violence proceedings receive special confidentiality protections
- Mental Health Proceedings: Records related to involuntary commitment or mental health evaluations connected to criminal cases
Court proceedings in Somerset County Superior Court are presumptively open to the public, as established by the New Jersey Supreme Court in State v. Williams, 93 N.J. 39 (1983), which affirmed the constitutional right of public access to criminal trials.
The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office maintains certain discretion regarding the release of information about criminal cases, particularly those under active prosecution:
Somerset County Prosecutor's Office
40 North Bridge Street
P.O. Box 3000
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7100
Somerset County Prosecutor's Office
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Somerset County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Somerset County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides both in-person and remote options for record retrieval.
For in-person requests at the Somerset County Superior Court:
- Visit the Criminal Division Records Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Complete a Records Request Form, available at the counter
- Provide specific information about the case (defendant name, case number, or approximate date)
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (currently $5.00 per name search, $0.05 per page for copies)
- Wait for staff to retrieve records or receive notification when records are ready
Somerset County Superior Court - Criminal Division
20 North Bridge Street, 3rd Floor
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7600
Somerset County Courts
For requests through the Somerset County Clerk's Office:
- Visit the County Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- Complete the Public Records Request Form
- Specify the records being sought with as much detail as possible
- Pay applicable fees as determined by the clerk
- Receive copies or review records on-site
Somerset County Clerk's Office
20 Grove Street
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7000
Somerset County Clerk
For mail requests:
- Download and complete the Records Request Form from the Somerset County website
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees
- Mail to the appropriate agency (Court Criminal Division or County Clerk)
- Allow 7-10 business days for processing
For criminal history background checks, the New Jersey State Police provides fingerprint-based searches:
- Schedule an appointment with an approved fingerprinting vendor
- Complete the required forms and provide identification
- Pay the required fee (currently $41.00)
- Receive results by mail within 3-4 weeks
New Jersey State Police - Criminal Information Unit
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
(609) 882-2000
New Jersey State Police
All records requests must comply with the provisions of OPRA, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, which requires custodians to respond within seven business days.
How To Find Criminal Records in Somerset County Online?
Somerset County residents and interested parties may access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests.
The New Jersey Judiciary offers a comprehensive online case search system:
- Visit the New Jersey Courts Public Access portal
- Select "Case Search" from the available options
- Choose "Criminal/Municipal" case type
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, or other identifiers)
- Review the results, which include case status, charges, and scheduled court dates
- Note that complete case files are not available online; documents must be requested separately
The Somerset County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system:
- Access the Somerset County Inmate Search portal
- Enter the individual's name or identification number
- Review current incarceration status, charges, and bail information
- Note that historical incarceration records may not be available online
For sex offender registration information, the New Jersey State Police maintains a searchable database pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:7-12:
- Visit the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry
- Accept the terms and conditions
- Search by name, location, or other criteria
- Review offender information, including address, offense details, and risk level
The New Jersey Department of Corrections offers an offender search for individuals currently in state custody:
- Access the NJDOC Offender Search
- Enter the individual's name or SBI number
- Review current incarceration status, facility location, and sentence information
For court calendars and scheduled hearings:
- Visit the New Jersey Courts Calendar
- Select Somerset County from the vicinage dropdown
- Choose the appropriate court division
- Review scheduled hearings and proceedings
Users should note that online systems may require registration for full access, and certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with N.J. Court Rule 1:38, which governs public access to court records.
Can You Search Somerset County Criminal Records for Free?
Somerset County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records without charge, in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(b), which states that "a custodian shall permit access to a government record and provide a copy thereof in the medium requested."
Free inspection options include:
- In-Person Review: Individuals may examine non-confidential criminal records at no cost during regular business hours at the Somerset County Superior Court Criminal Division. While inspection is free, copying fees apply ($0.05 per page for standard copies).
Somerset County Superior Court - Criminal Division
20 North Bridge Street, 3rd Floor
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7600
Somerset County Courts
-
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the courthouse for searching basic case information at no charge.
-
Online Resources: Several free online databases provide limited criminal record information:
- New Jersey Courts Public Access - Basic case information including charges, status, and scheduled court dates
- Somerset County Inmate Search - Current jail population information
- New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry - Information on registered sex offenders
However, certain limitations and fees apply:
- Comprehensive criminal history background checks through the New Jersey State Police require payment (currently $41.00)
- Certified copies of court documents incur additional fees (currently $10.00 per document)
- Name-based searches at the courthouse require a $5.00 fee per name
- Extensive document requests may incur research fees if they require extraordinary staff time
The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office may provide certain case information to victims and directly involved parties without charge:
Somerset County Prosecutor's Office
40 North Bridge Street
P.O. Box 3000
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7100
Somerset County Prosecutor's Office
Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(c), agencies may charge a special service fee for requests requiring extraordinary time or effort, but must provide advance notice of such charges.
What's Included in a Somerset County Criminal Record?
Somerset County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as prescribed by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Social Security Number (partially redacted in public records)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and processing details
- Initial charges filed
- Bail or detention status
- Holding facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case/docket number
- Court of jurisdiction (Superior Court or Municipal Court)
- Filing date and case initiation
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of offenses (indictable, disorderly persons, petty disorderly persons)
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor assigned
- Judge presiding over the case
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
Disposition Information:
- Plea entered
- Trial outcome (if applicable)
- Verdict or judgment
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Post-conviction relief applications
- Appeal information
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Restraining orders or protective orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Specialized court participation (Drug Court, Veterans Court, Mental Health Court)
- Probation/parole status and violations
- Motor vehicle-related offenses (DWI/DUI)
- Domestic violence indicators (subject to special confidentiality provisions)
The comprehensiveness of criminal records varies based on case disposition and age. Records maintained by the Somerset County Superior Court Criminal Division are organized according to the New Jersey Judiciary Records Retention Schedule, which establishes standardized formats and retention periods.
Pursuant to N.J. Court Rule 1:38-7, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly accessible records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain victim information.
How Long Does Somerset County Keep Criminal Records?
Somerset County maintains criminal records according to the retention schedules established by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Records Management Services, and the Administrative Office of the Courts. These retention periods vary based on the type of record and case disposition.
For Superior Court criminal records:
- Indictable Offense Convictions: Permanent retention for cases resulting in conviction
- Indictable Offense Dismissals: 15 years from date of dismissal
- Disorderly Persons Convictions: 15 years from date of disposition
- Disorderly Persons Dismissals: 3 years from date of dismissal
- Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) Cases: 3 years after successful completion
- Probation Records: 10 years after discharge from probation
- Grand Jury Records: 10 years for no-bill outcomes; permanent for indictments
For law enforcement records:
- Arrest Reports: 75 years from date of arrest
- Investigation Reports (No Arrest): 5 years from close of investigation
- Booking Information: 75 years from date of booking
- Fingerprint Cards: Permanent retention
- Mugshot Photographs: 75 years from date taken
For incarceration records:
- Inmate Files (County Jail): 10 years after release
- Visitor Logs: 3 years
- Inmate Medical Records: 7 years after release
These retention periods are established pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:3-2.1 et seq., which codifies the State Records Committee's authority to establish retention schedules.
It is important to note that expunged records receive special handling. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-15, when a court grants an expungement, records are removed from public access but may be maintained under seal for limited purposes, such as consideration in future criminal proceedings.
Digital records maintained in the Judiciary's electronic case management systems are subject to the same retention schedules as their paper counterparts. The Administrative Office of the Courts oversees the implementation of these retention policies across all vicinages, including Somerset County.
The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office maintains case files according to the following general schedule:
- Homicide Cases: Permanent retention
- Sexual Assault Cases: 75 years
- Other Violent Crimes: 25 years after disposition
- Non-Violent Felonies: 15 years after disposition
- Declined Prosecutions: 5 years
For specific information about the retention of particular records, interested parties may contact:
Somerset County Superior Court - Criminal Division
20 North Bridge Street, 3rd Floor
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-7600
Somerset County Courts