Criminal records in Atlantic County, New Jersey, can be accessed through several channels. AtlanticCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for the county. Additional access points include the New Jersey Judiciary's online court systems, local law enforcement agencies such as the Atlantic City Police Department, and the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Mays Landing. Whether you need to look up a pending charge, check a case disposition, or obtain a certified record, the resources below explain each step.
How to Search Criminal Records in Atlantic County
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- AtlanticCourt.us — Search publicly available court record information for Atlantic County criminal cases. You can look up cases by name or case number.
- PROMIS/Gavel Public Access — The New Jersey Judiciary's statewide system for searching Superior Court criminal cases. Select "Atlantic" as the county, then search by defendant name or case number. Certain sealed or expunged records will not appear.
- Municipal Court Case Search — For disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses, and motor vehicle violations handled in Atlantic County municipal courts.
- NJ Department of Corrections Offender Lookup — Search for individuals currently or formerly in state custody.
In Person
Visit the Atlantic County Superior Court Clerk's Office in Mays Landing. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for looking up case information. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request to the Superior Court Clerk's Office for copies of court records. For a formal criminal history record check, submit a request to the New Jersey State Police, which serves as the state's criminal history repository. Fingerprint-based background checks go through the state's IdentoGO system.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number or complaint number (if available)
- County where the case was filed
Search Atlantic County Criminal Cases by Case Number
New Jersey Superior Court criminal case numbers follow a standard format that tells you the county, case type, and year. A typical Atlantic County criminal indictment number looks like this:
- ATL — County prefix for Atlantic County
- Sequence of digits — The individual case number assigned by the court
- Year indicator — Two- or four-digit year the case was filed
For example, a case number beginning with "01" in the PROMIS/Gavel system indicates Atlantic County (county code 01). When searching by case number, enter the full number exactly as it appears on court documents. If you only have a complaint or summons number from a municipal court, use the Municipal Court Case Search instead — municipal and Superior Court numbering systems are separate.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Atlantic County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | New Jersey statute citation (e.g., N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 for assault) |
| Degree | First through fourth degree crimes (equivalent to felonies), disorderly persons offenses, or petty disorderly persons offenses |
| Amended charges | Charges may be upgraded, downgraded, or modified by the prosecutor before or during proceedings |
New Jersey does not use the terms "felony" and "misdemeanor." Indictable crimes (first through fourth degree) are the equivalent of felonies. Disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses are the equivalent of misdemeanors.
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — A final outcome has been entered
- Closed — All matters in the case are concluded
Hearing Types
- First appearance — Initial court appearance where charges are read and bail is addressed
- Pre-indictment conference — Opportunity for plea negotiation before grand jury action
- Arraignment — Formal reading of the indictment; defendant enters a plea
- Pre-trial conference — Case management hearing to discuss discovery, motions, and potential resolution
- Trial — Presentation of evidence before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — Court imposes a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted at trial or by plea
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecutor
- Remanded — Case sent back for further proceedings
- Pre-trial intervention (PTI) — Diversionary program; charges may be dismissed upon completion
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Atlantic County
Court Records
To obtain certified copies of criminal court records, contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office. For closed cases, you can submit a records request form through the New Jersey Judiciary website.
You will need:
- Full case caption or case number
- Type of document requested (judgment of conviction, complaint, disposition)
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Payment for applicable fees
State Criminal History Records
For an official criminal history record ("rap sheet"), requests go through the New Jersey State Police. Individuals requesting their own record must submit fingerprints through an IdentoGO enrollment center. Employers and licensing agencies may also request background checks through this process where authorized by law.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Atlantic County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.75 | Standard per-page rate set by the NJ Judiciary |
| Certification of a document | $15.00 | Per certification; added to copy costs |
| Exemplified copy | $25.00 | Used for out-of-state purposes |
| Name-based criminal history (NJ State Police) | Varies | Contact NJ State Police for current fee |
| Fingerprint-based background check | Approximately $40–$65 | Processed through IdentoGO; fees vary by purpose |
Processing Times
- Online searches — Results are typically immediate through PROMIS/Gavel and AtlanticCourt.us
- In-person record copies — Often available the same day if the case is accessible in the system
- Mail requests — Allow 2–4 weeks for processing through the Superior Court Clerk's Office
- State criminal history checks — Fingerprint-based checks typically take 5–10 business days; processing times may vary
Fees are subject to change. Verify current amounts with the New Jersey Judiciary or the relevant agency before submitting payment.