Criminal records in Camden County, New Jersey, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. CamdenCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The New Jersey Judiciary also maintains statewide databases for criminal case lookups, and the Camden County Superior Court and Sheriff's Office handle records requests directly.
How to Search Criminal Records in Camden
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Camden County. What you need to get started:
- The person's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for online searches)
- Case number (if known)
Online Search Options
- CamdenCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to Camden County criminal cases.
- PROMIS/Gavel Public Access — The New Jersey Judiciary's criminal case lookup tool. Search Superior Court criminal cases by defendant name or case number. Select "Camden" as the county. Note that certain records are restricted from public view under court rules.
- Municipal Court Case Search — For lower-level offenses such as disorderly persons offenses and municipal ordinance violations handled by the Camden Municipal Court.
- NJ Courts – Find a Case — A central portal for locating criminal cases, criminal judgments, and other court records across New Jersey.
- NJ Department of Corrections Offender Lookup — Search for individuals currently or formerly in state custody.
In Person
Visit the Camden County Superior Court to use public access terminals or request records at the Criminal Division clerk's window.
Camden County Hall of Justice
The Camden vicinage page lists courthouse locations and contact details.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for criminal case records to the Superior Court Clerk's Office. For a formal criminal history record (rap sheet), requests go to the New Jersey State Police, which serves as the state criminal history repository. You will need to submit fingerprints and a completed Request for Criminal History Record Information form.
Government records may also be requested through the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) process for records held by municipal or county agencies.
Search Camden Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is faster and more precise. New Jersey Superior Court criminal case numbers follow a standard format:
- Example: CAM-04-001234-25
- CAM — County code (Camden)
- 04 — Case type code (04 typically indicates a criminal indictable matter)
- 001234 — Sequential case number
- 25 — Year filed (2025)
Municipal court cases use a different numbering system, often beginning with a ticket or complaint number. Enter the case number into the PROMIS/Gavel system or the Municipal Court Case Search to pull up the record directly. If you only have a partial number, try searching by defendant name instead.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Camden
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The specific New Jersey statute (e.g., N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 for assault). Identifies the exact offense charged. |
| Degree of crime | First through fourth degree crimes are indictable offenses (equivalent to felonies). Disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses are lower-level (equivalent to misdemeanors). |
| Amended charges | Charges may be upgraded, downgraded, or changed through plea negotiations or grand jury action. The record will reflect both original and amended charges. |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution.
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing; hearings are scheduled.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.).
- Closed — All matters related to the case, including sentencing and probation, are complete.
Hearing Types
- First appearance — Initial court appearance where charges are read and bail is addressed.
- Preliminary hearing — Review of probable cause (less common since New Jersey moved to grand jury indictments for most indictable offenses).
- Pre-trial conference — Scheduling and plea negotiation discussions.
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing — Monitors compliance with probation or other court orders.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or trial.
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution.
- Remanded — Case sent to a different court or back for further proceedings.
- Diverted — Defendant entered a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) or conditional discharge program.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Camden
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal proceedings, background checks, and other formal purposes.
Where to Request
- Criminal Division records — Request through the Superior Court Clerk's Office copies of court records page. Specify that you need Camden County Criminal Division records.
- State criminal history (rap sheet) — Submit a fingerprint-based request to the New Jersey State Police, State Bureau of Identification.
How to Submit
- Online/By mail: Contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office. You will need to identify the case by number, defendant name, and the division (Criminal) where the case was heard.
- In person: Visit the Camden County Hall of Justice Criminal Division window.
What You Need
- Full case number or defendant name and date of birth
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Completed request form (available from the Clerk's Office)
- Payment for applicable fees
Camden County Hall of Justice — Criminal Division
Camden County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office may assist with certain records related to warrants and service of process.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Camden
Fees for court record copies in New Jersey are set by court rule and statute. The following table reflects standard fees established under N.J.S.A. 22A:2-12 and the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.75 |
| Certification of a document | $15.00 |
| Exemplified copy (with seal) | $25.00 |
| NJ State Police criminal history record check (fingerprint-based) | $25.00–$40.00 (varies by purpose) |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Simple copies are often available the same day or within a few business days.
- Mail requests: Typically 2–4 weeks, depending on volume and completeness of the request.
- State criminal history checks: Processing through the NJ State Police generally takes 2–4 weeks for standard requests. Expedited electronic processing may be faster when submitted through an authorized channeling agency.
Payment methods accepted at the courthouse typically include money orders and certified checks. Personal checks and cash acceptance varies — confirm with the clerk before visiting. OPRA requests to municipal agencies are subject to separate fee schedules under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, which generally allows charges for the actual cost of duplication.