Paterson Arrest Record Search
Paterson 72 hour booking records are public documents that list persons arrested within the city over the past three days. As the largest city in Passaic County, Paterson sees a high volume of arrests each year. These records are available to any member of the public through OPRA requests or by visiting the Paterson Police Department records division. This page explains how to search for, request, and obtain Paterson booking records from both city and county sources. You can start your search today using the tools and contact details below.
Paterson Police Records Division
The Paterson Police Department operates a dedicated records division that handles booking record requests. The department is located at 111 Broadway, Paterson, NJ 07505. For emergencies, call 911. The non-emergency number is (973) 321-1111 and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The records division has its own phone line at (973) 321-1160. Hours are limited and vary by day:
- Monday: 8 AM to 1 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM to 3:45 PM
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 11 AM to 3:45 PM
- Friday: 8 AM to 1 PM
Plan your visit to the Paterson records division carefully. The hours are not the same each day, and Wednesday is fully closed. Arriving early on Monday or Friday gives you the most time. Walk-in requests for 72 hour booking records are processed while you wait when the record is readily available.
Filing an OPRA Request in Paterson
You can request Paterson 72 hour booking records through the Open Public Records Act. OPRA gives every person the right to access government records under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. The custodian of records in Paterson must respond within seven business days per N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.
Send your OPRA request to the Office of the Paterson City Clerk on the third floor of City Hall at 155 Market Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. You can also email your request to oprarequest@patersonnj.gov. The fax number is (973) 321-1311, and the phone number is (973) 321-1213.
This image shows the New Jersey OPRA portal, which provides guidance on filing public records requests in cities like Paterson.
Be specific in your request. Include the full name of the person, the date or range of dates, and the type of record you need. Vague requests slow down the process and may result in a denial from Paterson.
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-3 requires that basic arrest data be released within 24 hours. This includes the arrested person's name, age, residence, charges, and the date and time of the arrest in Paterson. More detailed booking records take longer because they go through the full OPRA review.
Note: Anonymous OPRA requests are permitted in Paterson, but you must still describe the record with enough detail for the clerk to locate it.
Passaic County Jail Booking Data
The Passaic County Jail at 11 Marshall Street in Paterson holds inmates from across the county. Persons arrested in Paterson on indictable charges are transferred here for processing. The jail creates its own booking record at intake, separate from the Paterson police report.
The Passaic County Sheriff's Office oversees jail operations and maintains booking records at the county level. You can contact the sheriff for records related to county jail intake.
This image shows the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, which manages booking records for the county jail in Paterson.
County booking records often include more detail than city police logs. The jail intake process captures medical screening information, personal property lists, and housing assignments. While not all of that data is public, the core arrest details from Paterson bookings are available.
Paterson Court Case Lookup
After an arrest in Paterson, the case enters the court system. You can search for case details through the New Jersey Courts online case search. This free tool shows charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes for criminal matters originating in Paterson.
Court records go beyond what the 72 hour booking log provides. The booking record tells you about the arrest. The court file tells you what happened after. Bail decisions, plea agreements, and sentencing information all appear in the court record. These records are maintained separately from the Paterson police files.
For cases that remain at the municipal court level in Paterson, records are available through the local court clerk. More serious cases go to the Passaic County Superior Court.
Search for Paterson Inmates
Use VINELink to check if someone arrested in Paterson is currently in custody. The system covers all of Passaic County. Search by name and get real-time custody status. You can register for alerts if you want to be notified when the person is released or transferred.
VINELink is free and available around the clock. It is not a replacement for a formal Paterson booking record request, but it answers the immediate question of whether someone is being held right now.
Paterson Booking Record Expungement
A Paterson arrest record can be expunged under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1. Expungement seals the record from public searches. Once granted, the arrest in Paterson is treated as though it did not occur. Law enforcement must remove the booking record from publicly accessible systems.
The petition must be filed with the court. Eligibility depends on the type of offense and the time that has passed. Not all Paterson booking records qualify. Serious offenses are excluded from expungement entirely.
If the Government Records Council or a court finds that a Paterson record should have been disclosed, the agency must comply. But expunged records are a clear exception. No OPRA request can override a valid expungement order in Paterson.
Passaic County 72 Hour Booking
Paterson is the county seat of Passaic County. All criminal cases from Paterson go through the Passaic County court system. For county-wide booking records, jail information, and additional resources, visit the full Passaic County page.