Access Elizabeth 72 Hour Booking
Elizabeth 72 hour booking records track all recent arrests in the city and are open for public review under New Jersey law. As the county seat of Union County, Elizabeth processes a large share of the county's arrest activity. You can obtain these booking records by contacting the Elizabeth Police Department, the Union County Sheriff's Office, or by filing an OPRA request with the city clerk. This guide covers each method so you can get the Elizabeth records you need without delays or confusion.
Elizabeth Police Records Division
The Elizabeth Police Department records division is at 1 Police Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. The custodian of records is Ms. Yolanda Roberts. You can reach her at 908-820-4131 or by email at yroberts@elizabethnj.org.
When you visit the Elizabeth records division, bring valid identification and know the specific record you want. Staff can look up 72 hour booking records by name or date. If you need a formal copy, you will fill out an OPRA request form on site.
The image below shows the Elizabeth Police Department, where booking record requests are processed.
Elizabeth police handle requests for several types of records. These include CAD reports, 911 audio recordings, and body-worn camera footage. Each type has its own processing requirements. Basic 72 hour booking data is the simplest to obtain.
Note: Crash investigation reports involving serious injury or death in Elizabeth require a subpoena and cannot be released through a standard OPRA request.
OPRA Requests for Elizabeth Bookings
Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, Elizabeth must provide public records upon a valid OPRA request. The 72 hour booking log falls squarely within the scope of records you can request. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3 further mandates that basic arrest information be made public within 24 hours of the arrest in Elizabeth.
Copy fees in Elizabeth follow the state schedule: $0.05 per letter-size page, $0.07 per legal-size page, and $0.13 per ledger-size page. CDs and DVDs are charged at actual cost. These fees apply to all records, including 72 hour booking data from the Elizabeth police.
The city must respond to your request within seven business days under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5. If Elizabeth needs more time, the custodian must notify you in writing and provide a specific date for the response. You can file by mail, in person, email, or fax. The OPRA form asks for the type of record, the date range, and identifying details about the subject of the Elizabeth booking record.
Union County Sheriff Booking Records
The Union County Sheriff's Office plays a central role in processing and maintaining arrest records for Elizabeth and the entire county. The office is at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Phone: 908-527-4450.
This image shows the Union County Sheriff's Office in Elizabeth, which handles booking record processing for the county.
The sheriff is responsible for transporting arrested persons from Elizabeth to the Union County Jail at 15 Elizabethtown Plaza. During this process, the sheriff's office creates its own records that complement the Elizabeth police booking data.
The Union County corrections division manages the jail and maintains inmate records. If someone was arrested in Elizabeth and transferred to county custody, the corrections division holds their booking file. You may need to file a separate OPRA request with the county to obtain these records.
Search Elizabeth Bookings Online
The New Jersey Courts case search lets you look up criminal cases that originated from Elizabeth arrests. Once charges are filed, the case enters the court system and becomes searchable online. This free tool shows case status, charges, and hearing dates.
VINELink is another free tool. It shows real-time custody status for inmates held in Union County. Search by name to confirm if someone arrested in Elizabeth is currently in jail. You can also register for release notifications.
Neither of these tools replaces a formal request for the 72 hour booking log from Elizabeth. They provide supplementary information that helps you understand the current status of a case or detainee.
Expunging Elizabeth Booking Records
N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 allows eligible individuals to petition the court for expungement of their arrest record. If a court grants the petition, the Elizabeth booking record is sealed. It will no longer appear in public record searches. The police department and county agencies must remove it from accessible systems.
Expungement eligibility depends on the offense and the time elapsed since the arrest or conviction in Elizabeth. Some offenses cannot be expunged at all. Others require a waiting period of several years. The process involves filing paperwork with the court, notifying the prosecutor, and attending a hearing.
Appealing a Denied Request
If Elizabeth denies your OPRA request for booking records, you can challenge the decision. The Government Records Council accepts complaints at no charge. You have 45 days from the denial to file. The GRC will investigate and issue a ruling on whether Elizabeth properly withheld the record.
You can also file suit in Superior Court. This path is faster in some cases but costs more. If you win, the court can order Elizabeth to produce the 72 hour booking records and may award attorney fees.
Note: Always keep a copy of your original OPRA request and the denial letter from Elizabeth, as you will need both to file an appeal.
Union County 72 Hour Booking
Elizabeth is the county seat of Union County. All serious criminal matters from Elizabeth are handled in the Union County court system. For county-wide booking records and additional resources, see the full Union County page.