Monmouth County Criminal Records
What Is Monmouth County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Monmouth County, New Jersey, are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records document the complete history of a person's criminal activity as processed through law enforcement agencies and the courts in Monmouth County.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents created when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, regardless of whether charges are ultimately filed
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas, representing confirmed violations of criminal law
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older, which are generally accessible to the public
- Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by minors, which are typically sealed and confidential pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2A:4A-60
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by judicial authorities
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal proceedings, including dismissed cases
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Monmouth County, each responsible for different aspects of the criminal justice process:
Monmouth County Sheriff's Office
2500 Kozloski Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-7139
Monmouth County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for individuals detained in county facilities.
Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
132 Jerseyville Avenue
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-7160
Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
The Prosecutor's Office maintains records related to criminal investigations and prosecutions within the county.
Monmouth County Superior Court
71 Monument Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-677-4500
Monmouth County Courts
The Superior Court maintains case records, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information.
New Jersey State Police
Criminal Information Unit
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
609-882-2000
New Jersey State Police
The State Police maintain the central repository for criminal history information throughout New Jersey, including Monmouth County.
According to N.J.S.A. § 53:1-20.5, criminal records include "information collected by criminal justice agencies concerning persons and stored in a central repository," encompassing the full spectrum of interactions with the justice system from arrest through final disposition.
Are Criminal Records Public In Monmouth County
Criminal records in Monmouth County are generally considered public information under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1. 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 public status of criminal records is subject to specific limitations and exceptions:
- Adult Conviction Records: Records of criminal convictions for adults are public information and accessible to any requestor.
- Court Proceedings: Court records, including criminal case files, are presumptively open to public inspection pursuant to Rule 1:38 of the New Jersey Court Rules.
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations are exempt from public disclosure under N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1, which excludes "criminal investigatory records" from the definition of government records subject to public access.
- Sealed Cases: Records that have been sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2C:52-1 are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest or conviction never occurred.
- Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential and not available for public inspection except under limited circumstances specified in N.J.S.A. § 2A:4A-60.
The New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts has established that "the public has a right of access to court records and proceedings" with certain exceptions designed to protect privacy interests, confidentiality concerns, and the administration of justice. This principle applies to criminal records maintained by the Monmouth County courts.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Monmouth County must follow established procedures for record requests, which may vary depending on the custodial agency. While the presumption favors public access, certain information within criminal records may be redacted to protect privacy interests, such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and other personal identifiers.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Monmouth County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Monmouth County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.
To conduct an in-person search at the Monmouth County Courthouse:
- Visit the Criminal Division Records Office located at the Monmouth County Courthouse.
- Complete a records request form, providing the name of the individual and, if possible, additional identifying information such as date of birth.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Pay applicable search fees as established by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts.
- Wait for staff to conduct the search and provide available records.
Monmouth County Superior Court
Criminal Division Records
71 Monument Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-677-4500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monmouth County Courts
To request records from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office:
- Submit a written request to the Records Access Unit.
- Include the name of the individual, case number (if known), and specific information sought.
- Provide contact information for response.
- Submit the request via mail, email, or in person.
Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
Records Access Unit
132 Jerseyville Avenue
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-7160
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office
To obtain criminal history information from the New Jersey State Police:
- Complete a Request for Criminal History Record Information form.
- Provide fingerprints through an approved fingerprinting vendor.
- Pay the required processing fee.
- Submit the request to the State Bureau of Identification.
New Jersey State Police
State Bureau of Identification
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
609-882-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Jersey State Police
For records maintained by the Monmouth County Clerk:
- Visit the County Clerk's Office or access their online portal.
- Complete a records request form specifying the information sought.
- Pay applicable fees for search and copies.
- Receive records in person or by mail as requested.
Monmouth County Clerk's Office
33 Mechanic Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-7324
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monmouth County Clerk
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, records custodians must respond to requests within seven business days. Requestors should be prepared to pay established fees for search and copying services.
How To Find Criminal Records in Monmouth County Online?
Monmouth County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person searches, though the scope of available information may vary by system.
The New Jersey Judiciary's Public Access system serves as the primary online portal for court records:
- Visit the New Jersey Courts Public Access website.
- Select "Criminal Cases" from the available search options.
- Enter search criteria such as defendant name, case number, or complaint number.
- Review the search results, which include case type, filing date, and case status.
- Access available case information, including charges, court dates, and disposition.
For criminal case information specifically, the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system provides:
- Access to the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal.
- Search capabilities by defendant name or case number.
- Information on indictable criminal matters (felonies) and disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanors).
- Case status, scheduled court events, and disposition information.
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system:
- Navigate to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office website.
- Access the "Inmate Lookup" feature.
- Search by name to view current inmates in county custody.
- View booking information, charges, and custody status.
The Monmouth County Clerk's Office provides an online records search system:
- Visit the Monmouth County Clerk's website.
- Access the "Open Public Records Search" feature.
- Create a user account if required.
- Search by name or case information.
- View available public records maintained by the Clerk's Office.
Users should note the following limitations of online searches:
- Certain records may only be available through in-person requests.
- Online systems may not include complete criminal history information.
- Some records may require registration or payment of fees to access.
- Sensitive information is typically redacted from online records.
- Records subject to confidentiality provisions are not available online.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(g), "A custodian shall permit access to a government record and provide a copy thereof in the medium requested if the public agency maintains the record in that medium." The online systems represent the county's effort to fulfill this statutory obligation through electronic means.
Can You Search Monmouth County Criminal Records for Free?
Monmouth County provides several options for free access to criminal records, though certain limitations and fees may apply depending on the type of search and records requested.
New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, establishes that "the custodian of a government record shall permit the record to be inspected, examined, and copied by any person during regular business hours." This statutory provision ensures the public's right to inspect records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or extensive searches.
Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:
Monmouth County Superior Court
Criminal Division Records
71 Monument Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-677-4500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monmouth County Courts
Members of the public may visit the courthouse during regular business hours to inspect publicly available criminal case files at no cost. Computer terminals are available for searching the case management system.
Monmouth County Clerk's Office
33 Mechanic Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-7324
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monmouth County Clerk
The Clerk's Office provides public access terminals for searching records maintained by the office without charge.
Free online resources include:
- The New Jersey Courts Public Access system provides basic case information at no cost, including case type, filing date, charges, and disposition.
- The PROMIS/Gavel Public Access portal offers free searches of criminal case information.
- The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup feature is available at no cost.
- The Monmouth County Clerk's Open Public Records Search is accessible without charge for basic searches.
While inspection is free, fees may apply for:
- Copies of records (paper or electronic)
- Certified copies of documents
- Extensive search requests requiring significant staff time
- Complete criminal history background checks
- Expedited processing of requests
The fee schedule for copies is established pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5(b), which provides that "the fee assessed for the duplication of a government record embodied in the form of printed matter shall be $0.05 per letter size page or smaller, and $0.07 per legal size page or larger."
What's Included in a Monmouth County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Monmouth County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information that collectively provide a complete picture of criminal proceedings.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed
- Probable cause statement
- Bail or bond information
- Detention status and facility
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and case type
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea entered
- Attorney information (defense counsel and prosecutor)
- Court appearance dates
- Judicial officer assigned
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or outcome (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration (length and facility)
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations related to criminal matters
- Probation or parole violations
- Modification of sentences
- Completion of court-ordered programs
The content of criminal records is governed by N.J.S.A. § 53:1-20.5, which defines criminal history record information as "information collected by criminal justice agencies concerning persons and stored in a central repository," including "identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, indictments, or other formal criminal charges, and any dispositions arising therefrom."
Information contained in criminal records is subject to varying levels of public access, with certain sensitive details redacted from publicly available versions to protect privacy interests while maintaining the integrity of the public record.
How Long Does Monmouth County Keep Criminal Records?
Monmouth County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the New Jersey Division of Archives and Records Management (DARM) and the Administrative Office of the Courts. These schedules specify the minimum periods for which different types of criminal records must be preserved.
The retention of criminal records is governed by N.J.S.A. § 47:3-15 et seq., which establishes the legal framework for records management in New Jersey government agencies. Under this statutory authority, specific retention periods have been established for various categories of criminal records.
Court records related to criminal proceedings are retained according to the following schedule:
- Indictable Offense (Felony) Case Files: Permanent retention for murder cases; 15 years after case disposition for other indictable offenses
- Disorderly Persons (Misdemeanor) Case Files: 7 years after case disposition
- Municipal Ordinance Violation Files: 5 years after case disposition
- Dismissed Cases: 3 years after dismissal
- Expunged Records: Removed from public access immediately upon receipt of expungement order
Law enforcement agencies in Monmouth County maintain records according to these general guidelines:
- Arrest Reports: 75 years
- Investigation Reports: 75 years for major crimes; 5 years for minor offenses
- Booking Information: 5 years after release from custody
- Fingerprint Cards: Permanent retention
- Mugshot Photographs: 75 years
The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office retains records as follows:
- Case Files for Major Crimes: Permanent retention
- Case Files for Other Indictable Offenses: 15 years after case closure
- Investigation Files (No Charges Filed): 5 years after investigation closure
The Monmouth County Correctional Institution maintains inmate records for:
- Inmate Case Files: 10 years after release
- Inmate Medical Records: 7 years after release
- Inmate Disciplinary Records: 3 years after release
These retention periods represent minimum requirements. In practice, many records are maintained for longer periods, particularly as agencies transition to electronic record-keeping systems with greater storage capacity. Additionally, records of significant historical or legal importance may be preserved permanently in the county archives.
Records that have reached the end of their retention period are eligible for destruction in accordance with established procedures that ensure the proper disposition of confidential information. However, the destruction of records must be authorized through formal processes established by the Division of Archives and Records Management.
Lookup Criminal Records in Monmouth County
Monmouth County Clerk's Office