Union County Felony Records
Union County felony records are filed at the Superior Court Criminal Division in Elizabeth. The county covers 105 square miles in northeastern New Jersey and serves more than 500,000 residents. The courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth is where all indictable offense cases are processed. Union County handles a large volume of criminal cases each year due to its dense population and urban centers. Felony records here cover drug offenses, weapons charges, assault, and other serious crimes. The public can search these records through the court, online tools, and county offices.
Union County Superior Court
The Superior Court Criminal Division handles all felony cases in Union County. The courthouse sits at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, NJ 07201. New Jersey labels felonies as "indictable offenses." These crimes carry more than six months in state prison. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
A felony case in Union County starts when the prosecutor presents charges to a grand jury. If the grand jury indicts, the case enters the Criminal Division. It then moves through arraignment, pretrial hearings, and either trial or a plea. Each stage generates records. Those records become part of the public case file for every felony processed in Union County.
The court in Elizabeth handles cases from all towns in the county. This includes Westfield, Plainfield, Linden, Rahway, and Cranford. No matter where the arrest took place in Union County, the felony case goes to the Superior Court in Elizabeth.
Union County Government Resources
The Union County official website connects to all county departments and services. The site links to the clerk, sheriff, prosecutor, and courts. While the county website does not host criminal case files, it points you to the right offices for felony records in Union County.
Union County offices are spread across several towns. The court is in Elizabeth. The county police division is in Westfield. The county clerk and other offices sit in the Elizabeth area. Planning ahead helps you visit the right office when searching for felony records in Union County.
Union County Police Records
The Union County Division of Police is based at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. The phone number is 908-654-9800. This division serves all of Union County and its more than 500,000 citizens. Police records include arrest reports, incident logs, and booking data tied to felony cases.
Arrest records from Union County police show the date, charges, and booking details. These records are separate from court files. The arrest record covers what happened at the time of booking. The court file tracks the legal case from indictment through sentencing. Both types are public records in Union County for adult felony cases.
To get police records, file an OPRA request with the Union County Division of Police. The office responds within seven business days.
Online Felony Record Search for Union County
The Union County Court Case Finder lets you search criminal cases filed in the county. This tool shows charges, case status, and outcomes for felony records in Union County. It is free and open to the public.
The state also runs the PROMIS/Gavel system. It covers all New Jersey courts, including Union County. Search by name or docket number. Results show charges, case type, and court dates. The NJ Courts Find a Case page is another free option for finding felony records in Union County.
All three tools pull from the court system. They show felony records that have not been sealed or expunged. For a quick check on Union County criminal cases, these online tools are the fastest option.
OPRA Requests for Union County Records
The Open Public Records Act gives you the right to request records from Union County government offices. OPRA covers arrest reports, booking logs, incident reports, and other documents tied to felony cases. Send an OPRA form to the custodian at the office that holds the records.
The agency has seven business days to respond. Fees are low. Letter-size copies cost $0.05 per page under state law. Some records in Union County are exempt from disclosure. These include expunged felony records, juvenile case files, sealed grand jury minutes, and materials from active investigations.
Denied requests can be appealed to the Government Records Council at no charge. The GRC handles disputes between the public and government agencies across New Jersey.
Union County Criminal History Checks
The NJ State Police runs statewide criminal history checks that cover all 21 counties. This is the most thorough option. It requires fingerprinting at an IdentoGo location. Results include felony records from Union County and every other county in New Jersey.
Court searches only cover one county at a time. The statewide check finds records across all counties. If someone has cases in Union County and elsewhere, this check shows them all. Processing takes a few weeks and results come by mail.
Felony Expungement in Union County
Some felony records in Union County can be expunged under New Jersey law. A person with one indictable conviction can petition the Superior Court in Elizabeth. The waiting period is six years from the end of the sentence. The court reviews the petition and the prosecutor can object.
If the court grants the order, all Union County agencies must remove the felony record from their systems. The record will no longer show up in public searches. Check the NJ Expungement Portal to see if you qualify. Serious crimes like murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping are barred from expungement under state law.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Union County. Each county in New Jersey maintains its own felony court records. Search the county where the case was filed to find specific records.