New Jersey Criminal Records at a Glance
New Jersey criminal records are maintained by the New Jersey State Police. Court records are accessible through the NJ Courts public access system including PROMIS/Gavel for criminal cases and the JOC Public Access database for criminal judgments. The NJ Electronic Access Program (EAP) provides remote online access to specific court records for a fee. The New Jersey Sex Offende
1New Jersey Statewide Criminal Search Resources
In New Jersey, official criminal histories are maintained by the New Jersey State Police, not the court system. The NJ Courts provide public access to criminal case information through PROMIS/Gavel, but the courts explicitly note that “criminal histories are maintained by the New Jersey State Police.”
- NJ Courts, Find a Casewww.njcourts.govSearch public court case information, written opinions, attorney discipline matters, civil, criminal, and family cases.
- PROMIS/Gavel, Criminal Cases Public Accessportal.njcourts.govCriminal case search. Criminal histories are maintained by the New Jersey State Police.
- JOC Public Access, Criminal Judgmentsportal.njcourts.govDatabase of all criminal judgments including Judgments of Conviction in New Jersey.
- NJ Electronic Access Program (EAP)www.njcourts.govRemote online access to specific court records for a fee. Search case data including documents.
- Criminal Division Records Roomswww.njcourts.govDirectory of criminal records rooms by county with contact information and addresses.
- NJ Sex Offender Internet Registrywww.icrimewatch.netNew Jersey State Police sex offender registry. Search offenders in your area by address.
- NJ DOC, Offender Searchwww-doc.state.nj.usSearch offenders in NJ Department of Corrections custody. Removed from search one year after custodial term completion.
- NJ Courts Homewww.njcourts.govOfficial NJ Courts portal. Case search, eFiling, payments, court locations, and judicial information.
- New Jersey VINELink, Victim Notificationvinelink.vineapps.comSearch offenders in NJ custody and register for automated victim notification.
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement New Jersey's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when New Jersey state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The Department of Justice's single national search across every state, territory, and tribal registry. Authoritative for offender status but does not include every historical conviction.
https://www.nsopw.gov/ (nsopw.gov)
How to request your own FBI rap sheet (CJIS Identity History Summary) under Title 28 CFR § 16.30, 16.34. $18 fee, fingerprint submission required.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/need-an-fbi-service-or-more-information/identity-history-summary-checks (fbi.gov)
The FBI's aggregate crime statistics program. Useful for context on offense frequency but not a record of individual persons.
https://ucr.fbi.gov/ (ucr.fbi.gov)
New Jersey Criminal Records, FAQ
Is there a single nationwide criminal record search?
No public one. The FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) is nationwide but is only accessible to law enforcement agencies and approved employers under Public Law 92-544. Individuals can order their own rap sheet through the CJIS Identity History Summary service.
What is the difference between state and FBI record checks?
A state check searches one state's conviction database. The FBI III check searches every state that participates in III. Both are fingerprint-based.
Can arrests without conviction appear on a background check?
Yes, on some. State BCI responses vary, a few states return arrests without disposition for up to seven years, others redact non-conviction arrests. The FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681c) caps non-conviction arrests on consumer reports at 7 years.
How long does an expungement take?
It is a court process governed by state statute, typically 60 - 180 days from petition to order, plus another 60 - 90 days for agency updates.