Criminal records in Burlington County, New Jersey, can be accessed through several channels. BurlingtonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Beyond that, the New Jersey Courts online portal, the Burlington County Superior Court, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office each provide access to different types of criminal records. The method you use depends on whether you need a quick case lookup, a certified document, or a formal criminal history report.
How to Search Criminal Records in Burlington
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Burlington County. Start by identifying what you need — a case summary, hearing dates, or an official certified record — since each requires a different approach.
Online Search Options
- BurlingtonCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to Burlington County criminal cases.
- PROMIS/Gavel Public Access — The New Jersey Judiciary's online tool for searching Superior Court criminal cases. You can look up cases by defendant name or case number. Note that certain records are restricted from public view under New Jersey court rules.
- Municipal Court Case Search — For disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses, and traffic-related matters handled by Burlington County municipal courts.
- NJ Courts – Find a Case — A central directory for locating court records across New Jersey, including criminal, civil, and family matters.
In Person
Visit the Burlington County Court Facility to use public access terminals or request records directly from the Criminal Division clerk's window.
By Mail or Written Request
- Download and complete the Records Request Form from the NJ Courts website.
- Mail the completed form to the Superior Court Clerk's Office or to the Burlington County Criminal Division.
- For a statewide criminal history record (fingerprint-based), submit a request through the New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Approximate year of filing or arrest
Search Burlington Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. New Jersey Superior Court criminal case numbers follow a specific format:
- County code — A two-digit number identifying the county. Burlington County is 03.
- Case year — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024).
- Case type prefix — Indicates the division. For criminal matters, common prefixes include CR (criminal indictable offenses).
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned when the case is filed.
A typical Burlington County criminal case number might look like: 03-2024-CR-000123. Enter this number into the PROMIS/Gavel system to pull up the case directly. Municipal court case numbers use a different format and should be searched through the Municipal Court Case Search portal.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Burlington
Charges
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Statute codes | New Jersey criminal statutes (Title 2C) are cited for each charge — e.g., N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 for assault. |
| Severity | New Jersey classifies offenses as first, second, third, or fourth degree crimes (indictable, equivalent to felonies) or disorderly/petty disorderly persons offenses (equivalent to misdemeanors). |
| Amended charges | Charges may be upgraded, downgraded, or modified through plea agreements or grand jury action. Amended charges appear alongside original charges in the case record. |
Case Status
- Pending — Case filed; proceedings not yet concluded.
- Active — Case is currently being adjudicated.
- Disposed — A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, etc.).
- Closed — All post-disposition obligations are complete, or the case has been administratively closed.
Hearing Types
- First appearance — Initial court appearance where charges are read and bail is addressed.
- Pre-indictment conference — Opportunity to resolve the case before grand jury action.
- Arraignment — Formal reading of indictment charges; defendant enters a plea.
- Pre-trial conference — Status hearing to discuss discovery, motions, and potential resolution.
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits.
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review hearing — Post-sentencing check on probation compliance or other conditions.
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted at trial or by plea.
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution.
- Remanded — Case sent to a different court or returned for further proceedings.
- Diversionary program — Defendant admitted to Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) or conditional discharge; charges may be dismissed upon completion.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Burlington
Through the Superior Court Clerk's Office
The Superior Court Clerk's Office handles requests for certified copies of criminal case records. A certified copy includes a stamp and the Clerk or Deputy Clerk's signature attesting that it is a true copy of the court record.
How to submit your request:
- Complete the Records Request Form.
- Include the case number, defendant name, and the specific documents you need.
- Submit the form by mail to the Superior Court Clerk's Office, or deliver it in person to the Burlington County Court Facility.
- Enclose payment for applicable fees.
Identification Required
- A valid government-issued photo ID is generally required for in-person requests.
- If requesting records on behalf of someone else, you may need written authorization or a notarized release.
Statewide Criminal History Records
For a formal criminal history report (as opposed to a case-specific record), contact the New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit. These requests typically require fingerprinting and are processed through an authorized IdentoGO location.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Burlington
Fees for court record copies in New Jersey are set by court rules and administrative directives. The following are standard fees applicable to Burlington County Superior Court records:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.05 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $15.00 |
| Exemplified copy | $25.00 |
| NJ State Police criminal history check (non-fingerprint name search) | Varies; contact NJSP |
| Fingerprint-based criminal background check | Varies by purpose; typically $20–$70+ |
Processing Times
- Online lookups — Results are typically immediate through PROMIS/Gavel or the Municipal Court Case Search.
- In-person requests — Simple copy requests may be fulfilled the same day. Certified copies may take several business days.
- Mail requests — Allow approximately 2–4 weeks, depending on the volume of requests and whether additional research is needed to locate the record.
- State Police criminal history checks — Processing times vary; fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks.
Payment methods accepted at the courthouse typically include money orders and certified checks. Ask the clerk's office about personal check or credit card acceptance before visiting. Fees are subject to change; confirm current amounts directly with the court.