Cape May County Criminal Records
What Is Cape May County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Cape May County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), which establishes guidelines for record creation, maintenance, and public access.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Cape May County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist regardless of whether charges are filed or convictions obtained.
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas, representing the most commonly accessed type of criminal record.
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes (indictable offenses in New Jersey), which typically carry potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration.
- Misdemeanor Records: In New Jersey, these are called disorderly persons offenses and petty disorderly persons offenses, carrying maximum sentences of 6 months and 30 days respectively.
- Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Adult records (18+) are generally public, while juvenile records are sealed under N.J.S.A. § 2A:4A-60 with limited exceptions.
- Warrant Information: Documentation of active warrants for arrest or bench warrants for failure to appear in court.
Multiple agencies maintain portions of Cape May County's criminal records:
Cape May County Sheriff's Office
4 Moore Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: 609-463-6430
Cape May County Sheriff's Office
Cape May County Prosecutor's Office
4 Moore Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: 609-465-1135
Cape May County Prosecutor's Office
New Jersey Superior Court - Cape May County
9 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: 609-463-6500
New Jersey Courts
A comprehensive criminal record typically includes documentation of arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation/parole information. The creation and maintenance of these records is mandated by N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, which establishes the public's right to government records.
Are Criminal Records Public In Cape May County
Criminal records in Cape May County are generally considered public documents under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA). This statute, codified at N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., 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."
Under current law, the following criminal record components are typically accessible to the public:
- Court proceedings and case dispositions
- Adult conviction records
- Booking information and mugshots
- Sentencing information
- Sex offender registry information
However, several categories of criminal records maintain restricted access:
- Active criminal investigations
- Records sealed by court order
- Expunged records
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records where disclosure would jeopardize personal privacy or public safety
The New Jersey Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records, noting in Doe v. Poritz that "the public's right to know is not absolute, but is tempered by the individual's right to privacy and the public interest in confidentiality in certain records."
Law enforcement agencies in Cape May County maintain discretion regarding the release of certain investigative records. The Criminal History Record Information Act further regulates how criminal history information may be disseminated, particularly for non-criminal justice purposes such as employment screening.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records must submit requests through the appropriate custodial agency, which may include the Cape May County Clerk's Office, the Superior Court, or local law enforcement agencies. Each agency maintains specific procedures for record requests in compliance with state statutes.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Cape May County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Cape May County may utilize several established methods to access this information. The county provides multiple pathways for record retrieval, depending on the specific information sought and its custodial agency.
To conduct a criminal record search through the Cape May County Superior Court:
- Visit the New Jersey Courts public portal to search case information
- Select "Case Search" from the available options
- Enter the individual's name or case number in the search fields
- Review the results, which include case type, filing date, and disposition
- Request copies of specific documents by completing the Records Request Form
- Submit payment for any applicable fees ($0.05 per page for standard copies)
For in-person searches at the courthouse:
New Jersey Superior Court - Cape May County
9 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Phone: 609-463-6500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
New Jersey Courts
To access jail records and inmate information:
- Navigate to the Cape May County Sheriff's Office Jail Records portal
- Enter the individual's name in the search field
- Review current inmate status, charges, and bail information
- Note that historical jail records may require a formal records request
For comprehensive criminal history information:
- Submit a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) request to the New Jersey State Police
- Complete form SBI-212B (available at the State Police website)
- Provide fingerprints through an approved vendor
- Pay the required fee ($41 for personal records, $55.80 for third-party requests)
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing
Local police departments maintain arrest records and incident reports. Requests must be submitted directly to the agency with jurisdiction over the case using an OPRA request form. Contact information for municipal police departments can be found on the Cape May County website.
How To Find Criminal Records in Cape May County Online?
Cape May County provides several online portals for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital resources allow members of the public to search various components of criminal records without visiting government offices in person.
The primary online resources for criminal record searches include:
-
New Jersey Courts Public Access System: The New Jersey Judiciary's public portal offers comprehensive case search capabilities. Users can:
- Search by name, case number, or business entity
- Access civil, criminal, and family court cases
- View case status, scheduled court dates, and judgments
- Download certain public documents directly
- No registration is required for basic searches
-
Cape May County Sheriff's Inmate Search: The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate database where users can:
- Search current inmates by name
- View booking information and charges
- Check bail amounts and court dates
- Access is free and requires no registration
-
Cape May County Clerk's Records Search: The County Clerk's online database provides:
- Access to property records, business filings, and certain court documents
- Search capabilities by name, document type, or date range
- Document preview and ordering options
- Registration is required for full access
-
New Jersey State Police Sex Offender Registry: The NJ Sex Offender Internet Registry allows users to:
- Search registered sex offenders by name or location
- View offender photographs and conviction information
- Access is free and anonymous
When using these online systems, users should note several limitations:
- Certain sensitive documents require in-person requests
- Historical records may not be fully digitized
- Juvenile records are not available online
- Expunged records will not appear in search results
- Some detailed case information requires a fee for access
For records not available online, users must submit an Open Public Records Act request through the appropriate agency. The county's online systems are regularly updated but may not reflect real-time information in all cases.
Can You Search Cape May County Criminal Records for Free?
Cape May County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA). This statute, codified at N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1 et seq., establishes that "a government record shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State" with reasonable limitations.
Free criminal record search options include:
- In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect criminal records during regular business hours at no charge at:
Cape May County Clerk's Office
7 North Main Street
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210-5000
Phone: 609-465-1010
Cape May County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
-
Online Court Records: Basic case information is available at no cost through the New Jersey Courts public portal, including:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Charges and case types
- Scheduled court dates
- Case status and disposition
-
Inmate Search: The Cape May County Sheriff's Office provides free access to current inmate information, including:
- Current charges
- Bail information
- Booking dates
- Court dates
-
Sex Offender Registry: The New Jersey Sex Offender Registry offers free public access to information about registered sex offenders in the county.
While inspection is free, reproduction costs may apply:
- Paper copies: $0.05 per page for standard documents
- Electronic records: No charge when sent via email
- Certified copies: Additional certification fees apply
- Special service fees may apply for extensive searches
Certain comprehensive criminal history searches, particularly those conducted through the New Jersey State Police, require payment of statutory fees. Background checks for employment or licensing purposes typically incur fees ranging from $41.00 to $55.80 depending on the requesting party.
The county also accepts OPRA requests online for many records, though reproduction fees may still apply.
What's Included in a Cape May County Criminal Record?
Cape May County criminal records contain standardized information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1.1, which defines government records and their components.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, identifying marks)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention status
Court Case Information:
- Case/docket number
- Court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Formal charges and corresponding statutes
- Classification of offenses (indictable offenses, disorderly persons offenses)
- Attorney information
- Plea entered
- Trial information (if applicable)
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Criminal records in Cape May County are maintained by multiple agencies, with the Superior Court holding the official case records, the Sheriff's Office maintaining arrest and detention records, and the County Prosecutor's Office documenting charging decisions and case progression. The New Jersey State Police maintains the central repository of criminal history information for the state.
Certain information may be redacted from public criminal records, including Social Security numbers, home addresses of victims, and information related to ongoing investigations, as provided by N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5.
How Long Does Cape May County Keep Criminal Records?
Cape May County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the New Jersey Division of Archives and Records Management under the authority of N.J.S.A. § 47:3-26. These schedules dictate how long different types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
The standard retention periods for criminal records in Cape May County are:
- Arrest Records: Maintained permanently by the arresting agency
- Criminal Complaint Records: Retained for 15 years after case disposition
- Criminal Investigation Case Files:
- Homicide cases: Permanent retention
- Sexual crimes: 75 years
- Other indictable offenses: 25 years after case closure
- Disorderly persons offenses: 5 years after case closure
- Court Records:
- Indictable offense case files: 15 years after case disposition
- Disorderly persons case files: 7 years after case disposition
- Docket books and indexes: Permanent retention
- Incarceration Records:
- Inmate case files: 10 years after release
- Commitment records: Permanent retention
- Probation Records: 10 years after termination of supervision
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic indices and basic case information are often maintained indefinitely. Additionally, certain high-profile cases or those with historical significance may be preserved permanently regardless of standard retention schedules.
Criminal records that have been expunged pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2C:52-1 are removed from public access and sealed, though limited information may be retained for law enforcement purposes only. The expungement process effectively removes the record from public view, though it does not physically destroy all documentation.
The New Jersey State Police maintains the central repository of criminal history information indefinitely, with updates reflecting case dispositions, sentence completions, and expungements as they occur.