New Jersey Arrest Records and Warrant Search

Do I Have an Arrest Warrant in New Jersey?

If you've been arrested or involved with the law in the state of New Jersey, there's a chance you may have an outstanding warrant in your name. Warrants can be issued for crimes such as assault and battery, felonies, misdemeanors, theft, DUI's, failure to appear in court, and even unpaid traffic violations.

If you have a warrant it's important to find out for sure since you risk being arrested at any time or any place. You could even have your driver's license revoked without even knowing it. The easiest way to check is to run an online search. Begin by typing your name in the search box above and you're on your way to finding out in seconds. Our search system has access to public records, warrants, and criminal records posted with the U.S. public court system.

Get The Facts About New Jersey Arrest Warrants

Once you find you have an outstanding warrant in New Jersey, it's strongly advised that all citizens come forward to satisfy their debt with the state. You can do this by contacting the local authorities to straighten out the warrant as soon as possible. If you think it's easy to avoid the law and get away with your crime, note that law enforcement officials are equipped with license plate scanning devices in their cruisers which allows them to easily check plates and ID's to find out if there is an outstanding warrant on the spot. If you run into the law for any other reason all warrant information on your personal file will be on record and you risk an arrest.

It's also wise to contact an attorney if you have a warrant, especially of you've already been arrested. Only a criminal lawyer can represent you in court and act on your behalf to get the best resolution for your case. Plus, a lawyer will be able to get your arrest record expunged or removed from your file if at all possible to clear your name.

What Is An Arrest Warrant?

An arrest warrant is issued by a judge on behalf of the state, which authorizes the arrest of an individual in relation to a crime, or the search and seizure of an individual's property. In order for an arrest warrant to exist there has to be probable cause that the person in question most likely committed the crime. Probable cause is established when an officer is able to produce such facts or evidence leading one to believe that an individual has committed a specific crime. This information must be submitted in front of a judge who will then decide if an arrest warrant is necessary.

An arrest warrant must include:

• The crime(s) committed;
• Name the individual suspected of committing the crime or if the name is unknown a detailed description of the individual;
• The location(s) where the individual may possibly be found.

Types of Warrants

Active warrants: An active arrest warrant is an arrest order that has been issued most recently. Basically, it defines a warrant that hasn't been served or resolved as of yet. An active warrant gives law enforcement the power to detain the individual named on the warrant within the state or even the country depending on the severity of the crime committed. If you are stopped by the police or come into contact with the law for any other reason you risk being arrested if there is any active warrant in your name.

Outstanding warrants: This is another term for an active warrant. It usually refers to warrants that have been unresolved in the system for some time. As with an active warrant, an outstanding warrant allows law enforcement to arrest the individual named for the crime in question at any time. In many cases outstanding warrants are supplied to the FBI and central law enforcement units so that almost every law officer agency across the country has access to this information making it more difficult to avoid an unwanted arrest.

Bench warrants: Bench warrants are commonly issued in cases where there is a failure to appear in court. You are then considered to be in contempt of court. Failure to appear for a court hearing, a sentencing date, or disobeying a court order can all lead to a bench warrant in your name. It's never wise to ignore any court scheduled date.

Search warrants: These types of warrants are ordered by a judge to allow police officers to enter a private property or premise to obtain incriminating evidence in relation to a crime or to detain an individual who has an arrest warrant in his name. In the case of the latter, the search warrant is only required when the suspect is found to be hiding in a third party premise.

Do Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants never expire and will remain active on your record until the warrant is satisfied with the state. The only way to satisfy a warrant is with an arrest or payment of fines. It's strongly advised if you have a warrant in your name that you address the warrant as soon as possible to avoid further problems with the law. Seeking legal advice is helpful since only a lawyer can represent you in court and resolve the warrant in your best interests. A lawyer can even get the warrant removed from your record if you're eligible to have the record expunged.

New Jersey Court System

In New Jersey, if I choose to plead guilty and pay the fine do I need to appear in court?

If the violation complaint you receive from the court does not have the Court Appearance Required  box checked then you have the option to pay the fine without appearing in court provided the charge is listed on either the Statewide Violations Bureau Schedule or the Local Violations Bureau Schedule. You can pay your fine at the court house, by mail or on the web at NJMCdirect.com. Note that if you choose to handle the complaint without appearing in court, you are pleading guilty. You give up your right to a lawyer and a trial in regards to your case.

What is a plea agreement or plea bargain?

A plea agreement is any agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for some concession from the prosecutor. Usually the person on trial will plead guilty to a lesser charge in return for the dismissal of other charges. Or the defendant will plead guilty to the original criminal charge in return for a more lenient sentence. Either way, a plea bargain allows both parties to avoid a lengthy criminal trial. It benefits the guilty person by eliminating the risk of conviction on trial for a more serious charge. A plea bargain is one way to resolve a case and must be approved by a judge.

What happens if I plead guilty in court?

If you plead not guilty your case goes to trial where a judge will determine the outcome of your case. It's strongly advised to hire a lawyer at this point if you haven't already. In a trial, the prosecutor will call each witness against you to answer questions and testify under oath. When the prosecutor is finished, you, or your attorney, will be able to ask them questions about their testimony. Once the prosecutor case is finished, you and your lawyer will have the chance to call witnesses and present evidence on your behalf.

You can testify for yourself, although you are not required to do so. If you decide to testify, note that the prosecutor can cross-examine you which could work against you. After all witnesses have spoken and any evidence has been considered, the judge will decide your guilt and impose an appropriate sentence.

How can I appeal a decision of the court?

You may file for an appeal if you disagree with the court's decision. In New Jersey, the appeal must be submitted to the court within 20 calendar days of your conviction. Here is where a lawyer can really support you in this matter. Information on representing yourself in an appeal is also available at njcourts.com