Franklin Township Arrest Records
Franklin Township 72 hour booking records document arrests made by the Franklin Township Police Department in Somerset County. These records are public under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act. Booking data includes the name of the arrested person, charges, and arrest details. Persons arrested in Franklin Township on serious offenses are transferred to the Somerset County Jail at 20 Grove Street in Somerville. The 72 hour booking log gives residents and the public a timely look at recent law enforcement activity in the township.
Franklin Township OPRA Process
OPRA requests for Franklin Township booking records go through the Township Clerk. Christine Burke serves as the Records Custodian. Her office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. You can reach her at (908) 735-5215, extension 9. Email requests go to clerk@franklin-twp.org.
The following image shows the Franklin Township OPRA submission page for public records requests.
The Franklin Township OPRA page provides forms and instructions for submitting your request. You can submit by mail, in person, or electronically. Include the full name, arrest date, and any case numbers to help the clerk locate your 72 hour booking record.
Under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5, the township has seven business days to respond. If the record exists and is not exempt, it must be provided. The custodian may charge $0.05 per letter-size page and $0.07 per legal-size page for copies.
Public Booking Data in Franklin Township
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3 defines what arrest information is public. Within 24 hours of an arrest in Franklin Township, the following must be available:
- Defendant's name, age, and residence
- Time and place of the arrest
- Charges filed
- Names of arresting officers
- Bail information
Franklin Township cannot withhold this data from a valid 72 hour booking request. The statute makes these details public by default. Only specific exemptions can override this requirement.
Note: Criminal investigatory files may be exempt from disclosure. But the basic booking log is not considered an investigatory file. It is a factual record of the arrest.
Somerset County Jail
The Somerset County Jail at 20 Grove Street in Somerville holds inmates from Franklin Township and other municipalities in the county. You can contact the jail at 908-231-7140. The facility keeps its own booking records for all persons processed through intake.
County booking records may include intake details not found in the Franklin Township police log. Both sets of records are public under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. To get the full picture, consider submitting requests to both the township clerk and the county sheriff.
For Somerset County inmate searches, the county provides lookup tools. You can also use VINELink for real-time custody status checks. Both services are free.
If Franklin Township Denies Your Request
A denial must include a legal basis. If the Franklin Township clerk refuses your 72 hour booking record request, you have options. The Government Records Council handles OPRA complaints at no cost. File within 45 days of the denial.
You can also challenge the denial in Superior Court. Court action is faster in some cases but involves legal fees. The GRC path is slower but free. Choose the route that fits your situation.
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 puts the burden on the agency. Franklin Township must prove the record is exempt. You do not need to explain why you want the booking data.
Expungement of Franklin Township Records
Some Franklin Township arrest records can be sealed through expungement. N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 sets the rules. A petition must be filed with the court. If granted, the 72 hour booking record is removed from public access.
Eligibility depends on the type of offense and how much time has passed. Serious offenses are excluded. Not every arrest in Franklin Township qualifies. The waiting period varies based on the severity of the charge.
Once expunged, the record is treated as if the arrest never took place. Law enforcement and courts are directed to act accordingly. This applies to both Franklin Township police records and Somerset County jail records.
Somerset County Booking Records
Franklin Township is located in Somerset County. Arrests that result in county jail time are processed through the Somerset County Jail in Somerville. For county-wide booking records, inmate search tools, and related resources, visit the full Somerset County page.