Ocean County, New Jersey Court Records

Ocean County Court Records

Rule 1:38-2 of the New Jersey Rules of Court defines court records as any information a court maintains about a case or judicial proceeding. These include pleadings, briefs, motions, exhibits, decrees, orders, judgments, transcripts, and opinions. The Office of the Court Clerk is responsible for maintaining records of judicial proceedings in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Ocean County court records serve as the foundational documentation that reflects the facts, arguments, decisions, and actions taken within a legal case. They are also vital resources for journalists, historians, and other researchers, helping them understand historical trends, individual and family histories, and societal norms. By providing a detailed account of court activities, court records ensure that the legal process is transparent and that all parties are held accountable for their actions.

Are Court Records Public in Ocean County?

Yes. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act guarantees the public's right to access government records. Under this Act, government records, including court records, are considered part of Ocean County Public Records and must be available for inspection, examination, and duplication.

However, certain court records are generally exempt from public access to protect privacy, safety, and confidentiality. These exemptions include information related to juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, mental health evaluations, and victim identification in sensitive crimes such as sexual assault or domestic violence. Sensitive personal information, like Social Security numbers or financial data, is exempted from public access.

What Do Ocean County Court Records Contain?

Ocean County court records feature detailed information on the proceedings and decisions made within the County's judicial system. Here's an outline of the components found in the county'scounty's court records:

Case Information
- Case number
- Names and contact information of case parties
- Court division (Criminal, Civil, Family)
- Names of the attorneys and the presiding judge.
Case Documents
- Complaints and Petitions
- Motions and Responses
- Pleadings
- Warrants and Subpoenas
- Appeal Information
- Orders and Judgments
- Sentencing Information
Hearing and Trial Records
- Hearing Dates and Transcripts
- Evidence and Exhibits (Physical or Digital)
- Expert and Witness Testimonies
Financials
- Fines and Fees
- Bail Information, if applicable
- Bankruptcy Information

Where to Conduct an Ocean County Case Lookup

Members of the public who wish to conduct a case lookup of court proceedings in Ocean County can do so at the following places:

How to Conduct an Ocean County Case Records Search

An Ocean County case records search can be done online or in person. Individuals seeking court records may begin their search by visiting the courthouse where the case was filed. The office of the court clerk within each courthouse maintains court records. At the courthouse, the clerk will provide a records request form where inquirers can fill in their name, address, phone number and provide information regarding the desired record. By initiating a search at the courthouse, inquirers can obtain accurate information and access all documents related to the case.

Individuals who wish to access case records online can do so via the Find a Case portal on the New Jersey Judiciary website. Through the portal, inquirers can access case search tools to search for records using parameters such as case number, name, or court location.

Another option to the above method is to conduct a search via the New Jersey Courts'Courts' Electronic Access Program (EAP). This program provides subscription-based access to case documents and costs $4 per minute. Users are required to set up a Judiciary Account Charge System (JACS) account before signing up for EAP. Individual users can register for EAP free of charge for limited or personal searches. Alternatively, interested individuals can request copies of court records from the Superior Court Clerk'sClerk's Office by completing a Records Request Form and submitting it to the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) system. Thereafter, the records will be sent to the email address provided on the form. It is important to note that this service is not free, and the following charges apply:

Letter size pages: $0.05
Legal size pages: $0.07
Certified Copy: $15
Seal of the Court: $10
Exemplified Copy: $50
Triple Exemplified Copy: $60

The fee for plain copies depends on the number of pages. Therefore, the exact amount can only be determined once the request has been processed. The clerk's office typically calls the requester via the telephone number provided on the copy request form to communicate the precise fees for their request. Payment can be made with cash, checks, or money orders. All checks and money orders must be payable to the Treasurer-State of New Jersey. Inquirers who do not have access to a computer can mail their request to:

Attention: Customer Access
Superior Court Clerk'sClerk's Office
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 971
Trenton, NJ 08625-0971

Ocean County Civil Court Case Records

Civil court records are official documents of legal proceedings related to non-criminal cases, such as disputes between individuals, organizations, or entities. Cases initiated in civil courts are filed to enforce an agreement, contract, or obligation.

The Ocean Superior Court Civil Division handles cases where the contested amount exceeds $20,000. The Special Civil Part of the Civil Division oversees two categories: cases with disputed amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 and small claims cases where the contested amount is $5,000 or less. Meanwhile, the General Equity Division of the Superior Court presides over civil proceedings in which no monetary damages are sought. Examples of such cases include those involving trade secrets, labor matters, and foreclosures.

To obtain civil case records in Ocean County, an inquirer can make in-person requests at the courthouse where the case was heard or conduct a search on the Civil Case Jacket Public Access portal. The search criteria are by docket number or party name. Users can enter the court division that heard the case, the docket type, date, and year to modify the search.

Ocean County Criminal Court Case Records

Ocean County criminal court records are official documents containing detailed information about the County's criminal proceedings. These records are fundamental to the legal process, providing a transparent and traceable account of all activities and decisions associated with a particular criminal case.

The Criminal Division of Ocean County's Superior Court maintains records of all indictable criminal matters involving adult offenders. Juvenile criminal cases may be transferred to adult court based on the severity of the offense.

Interested individuals who wish to access Ocean County's criminal court records may do so via the public access terminal containing the statewide criminal database called PROMIS/Gavel. To search the database, users must provide specific details, such as the case party name and the county court where the case was heard. Confidential records and information will not be returned in the search results. Alternatively, inquirers can visit the Superior Court where the criminal case was filed and formally request copies of the court records. The court staff will assist the inquirer in accessing the desired documents, adhering to the protocols and regulations governing public access to court records.

How to Get Court Records Online for Free

Individuals looking to access court records online for free can use the Find a Case portal hosted on the New Jersey Judiciary website. The portal is designed to facilitate easy public access to various types of legal information and documents maintained by New Jersey courts. Records of the following case types are accessible for free via the portal:

To use the portal, inquirers must choose the specific type of court records they intend to access and provide the requisite case details to facilitate the search. Depending on the specific records, these details may include the party name, docket number, court location, SBI number, complaint number, indictment number, or ticket number.

Courts in Ocean County

Ocean County's judicial system comprises two Superior Courts, three Surrogate Courts, and 35 Municipal Courts. The respective addresses and contact information for these courts are as follows:

Ocean County Superior Courts

Ocean County Courthouse
118 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 929-2018

Ocean County Justice Complex
120 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 929-2189

Ocean County Surrogate Courts

Whiting Surrogate Office
48 Schoolhouse Road
Whiting, NJ 08759
Phone: (732) 350-5000

Manahawkin Surrogate Office
179 South Main Street
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Phone: (609) 597-1500

Ocean County Courthouse
118 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08754
Phone: (732) 929-2011

Ocean County Municipal Courts

Barnegat Light Municipal Court
10 West 10th Street
Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
Phone: (609) 207-6263

Barnegat Township Municipal Court
900 West Bay Avenue
Barnegat, NJ 08005
Phone: (609) 698-0080

Bay Head Municipal Court
83 Bridge Avenue
Bay Head, NJ 08742
Phone: (732) 892-4737

Beach Haven Municipal Court
300 Engleside Avenue
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 492-0111

Beachwood Municipal Court
1600 Pinewald Road
Beachwood, NJ 08722
Phone: (732) 286-6000

Berkeley Township Municipal Court
631 Pinewald-Keswick Road
Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: (732) 240-6661

Brick Township Municipal Court
401 Chambers Bridge Road
Brick, NJ 08723
Phone: (732) 262-1226

Eagleswood Township Municipal Court
665 Radio Road
Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Phone: (609) 296-7241

Harvey Cedars Municipal Court
7606 Long Beach Boulevard
Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 494-9026

Island Heights Municipal Court
Van Sant Ave & E End Avenue
Island Heights, NJ 08732
Phone: (732) 270-6161

Jackson Township Municipal Court
102 Jackson Drive
Jackson, NJ 08527
Phone: (732) 928-1205

Lacey Township Municipal Court
818 West Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731
Phone: (609) 693-1100

Lakehurst Municipal Court
5 Union Avenue
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
Phone: (732) 657-4151

Lakewood Borough Municipal Court
1 Colonial Drive
Manchester, NJ 08759
Phone: (732) 657-8121

Lakewood Municipal Court
231 3rd Street
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Phone: (732) 364-2500

Lavallette Municipal Court
1306 Grand Central Avenue
Lavallette, NJ 08735
Phone: (732) 830-1911

Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court
665 Radio Road
Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Phone: (609) 296-7241

Long Beach Township Municipal Court
6805 Long Beach Boulevard
Brant Beach, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 361-1000

Manchester Township Municipal Court
1 Colonial Drive
Manchester, NJ 08759
Phone: (732) 657-8121

Mantoloking Municipal Court
202 Downer Avenue
Brick, NJ 08738
Phone: (732) 475-7398

Ocean Gate Municipal Court
801 Ocean Gate Avenue
Ocean Gate, NJ 08740
Phone: (732) 269-3166

Ocean Township Municipal Court
50 Railroad Avenue
Waretown, NJ 08758
Phone: (609) 693-3332

Pine Beach Municipal Court
599 Pennsylvania Avenue
Pine Beach, NJ 08741
Phone: (732) 349-6453

Plumsted Township Municipal Court
121 Evergreen Road
New Egypt, NJ 08533
Phone: (609) 758-2241

Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Court
416 New Jersey Avenue
Pt Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Phone: (732) 892-1118

Point Pleasant Borough Municipal Court
2233 Bridge Avenue,
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Phone: (732) 899-1636

Seaside Heights Municipal Court
116 Sherman Avenue
Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Phone: (732) 830-2202

Seaside Park Borough Municipal Court
1 Municipal Plaza
Seaside Park, NJ 08752
Phone: (732) 793-5116

Ship Bottom Municipal Court
1621 Long Beach Boulevard
Ship Bottom, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 494-2171

South Toms River Municipal Court
19 Double Trouble Road
South Toms River, NJ 08757
Phone: (732) 349-1141

Stafford Township Municipal Court
260 East Bay Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Phone: (609) 597-1000

Surf City Municipal Court
813 Long Beach Boulevard
Surf City, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 494-3984

Toms River Municipal Court
255 Oak Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 797-3914

Tuckerton Municipal Court
420 East Main Street,
Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Phone: (609) 296-2036