Burlington County Criminal Records Access

Burlington County criminal court records are stored at the Superior Court in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Burlington County is the largest county in New Jersey by land area with roughly 461,000 residents spread across 40 municipalities. The Criminal Division of the Superior Court processes all indictable offenses that occur anywhere in Burlington County. Members of the public can search criminal court records through free online tools or by visiting the courthouse. The county seat of Mount Holly is where the main court complex handles all felony-level criminal cases in Burlington County.

Burlington County Criminal Division Office

The Burlington County Superior Court Criminal Division is located at the courthouse complex in Mount Holly. This office handles every indictable criminal case in the county. Indictable offenses range from fourth-degree crimes with up to 18 months in prison to first-degree crimes carrying 10 to 20 years. The Criminal Division manages cases from the initial complaint through sentencing and beyond.

Burlington County is part of its own vicinage in the New Jersey court system. The courthouse in Mount Holly serves the entire county. Towns like Evesham, Mount Laurel, Willingboro, Burlington Township, Pemberton, and Bordentown all send their serious criminal cases here. The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office reviews all arrests and presents cases to the grand jury. Once indicted, a case receives a docket number and moves through the court process at the Mount Holly courthouse.

The Burlington County Clerk's website handles property and land records. Criminal court records are separate. Those are maintained by the Superior Court Criminal Division.

The Burlington County Clerk page shown above provides access to property records and other county services. For criminal court records, contact the Superior Court Criminal Division directly.

Searching Burlington County Criminal Court Records

You have three main options for finding criminal court records in Burlington County. Each approach has its own benefits. Online searches are quick and free. In-person visits let you see the full file. Written requests work when you cannot travel to Mount Holly.

Start with the NJ Courts Find a Case page. This free portal lets you search criminal cases by name or docket number. Choose Burlington County to filter results. You will see basic case data like charges, scheduled dates, and dispositions. The site does not show full documents. For those, you need to go to the courthouse or send a written request.

The PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system tracks indictable criminal cases from arrest through appeal. Only defendants who were convicted and sentenced appear in results. This protects the privacy of acquitted individuals and dismissed cases. Search by name or indictment number to find Burlington County criminal records in this system.

For in-person access, visit the Criminal Division Records Room in Mount Holly. Bring a government-issued photo ID. Fill out a request form at the counter. Staff can search by defendant name, docket number, or complaint number. You can view records at no charge. Copies cost $0.05 per page for letter size. Certified copies are $15 each.

Note: Burlington County criminal records are public under Court Rule 1:38, with exceptions for juvenile, expunged, and sealed records.

Burlington County Criminal Record Contents

A criminal court record in Burlington County is a collection of documents from start to finish. The file begins with the criminal complaint or indictment. It ends with the final disposition, whether that is a conviction, acquittal, or dismissal. Each document in between tells part of the story.

Common documents found in Burlington County criminal court records include the arrest warrant or summons, the grand jury indictment, bail orders, discovery materials shared between parties, pretrial motions and court rulings, plea forms, trial records if the case went to trial, and the judgment of conviction or order of dismissal. Sentencing records show the specific terms handed down by the judge, including prison time, probation, fines, and restitution.

The judgment of conviction is the single most requested document. People need it for appeals, post-conviction proceedings, and to verify criminal history. You can get a certified copy from the Burlington County Criminal Division clerk for $15. An exemplified copy, which is a higher level of certification, costs $50 plus copy fees.

For information on how to find and request different types of court documents in Burlington County, visit the Criminal Division Records Room listing on the NJ Courts website or contact the courthouse in Mount Holly directly.

Public Records Law and Burlington County Courts

New Jersey's Open Public Records Act provides a legal framework for accessing government records. Criminal court records in Burlington County fall under both OPRA at N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 and Court Rule 1:38. Together, these rules make most criminal case files available to the public. You can inspect records at the courthouse during business hours at no cost.

Restricted records include juvenile cases under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-60, expunged records under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1, records sealed by court order, grand jury materials, and documents with personal identifiers. Ongoing investigation files held by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office may also be exempt. Once a case is closed and all appeals are done, the vast majority of the file is public in Burlington County.

To file a formal records request, use the NJ Courts Records Request Form. You can submit it in person, by mail, or through the JEDS electronic submission system. The court responds within seven business days. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Government Records Council at no cost.

Burlington County Criminal Record Expungement

New Jersey law allows eligible people to have their criminal records expunged. This removes the record from public view. It applies to certain convictions, arrests that did not lead to conviction, and completed diversionary programs. The rules are in N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 through 2C:52-32.

To file for expungement in Burlington County, prepare a petition and file it with the Superior Court in Mount Holly. The filing fee is $75. Serve copies on the Burlington County Prosecutor, the arresting police department, the New Jersey State Police, and the Attorney General. After all parties respond, the court schedules a hearing. If the judge grants the expungement, the criminal record is sealed.

Waiting periods apply. For most indictable offenses, you must wait five years after completing your sentence and all conditions. Disorderly persons offenses have shorter wait times. The 2019 Clean Slate law expanded eligibility and shortened some waiting periods. The NJ Courts Self-Help Center has free expungement forms and instructions for Burlington County residents.

Note: Expunged Burlington County criminal court records will not appear in public database searches after the order is processed.

Burlington County Municipal Court Records

Burlington County has 40 municipalities, each with its own municipal court or a shared court arrangement. Municipal courts handle disorderly persons offenses, petty disorderly persons offenses, traffic violations, and ordinance matters. These are separate from Superior Court criminal records. Maximum jail time for a municipal court offense is six months.

Search municipal court records in Burlington County through the Municipal Court Case Search portal. You need the ticket number, complaint number, or defendant name. The system shows case status, court dates, and payment details. For copies of municipal court documents, contact the specific court where the case was heard.

New Jersey offers diversion programs at the municipal level. Conditional Discharge under N.J.S.A. 2C:36A-1 applies to certain drug offenses. Conditional Dismissal under N.J.S.A. 2C:43-13.1 covers certain disorderly persons offenses. Both let first-time offenders avoid conviction by completing court conditions. Program fees range from $75 to $83. Successful completion results in dismissed charges in Burlington County.

Legal Help for Burlington County Residents

Legal aid is available for Burlington County residents who need help with criminal court records or related matters. South Jersey Legal Services covers Burlington County and provides free legal assistance based on income. Call the LSNJLAWSM hotline at (888) 576-5529 for information. The Burlington County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral program that connects residents with local attorneys. Call the New Jersey State Bar referral line at 1-800-792-8315 for a consultation.

The Criminal Division Records Room page on the NJ Courts website lists contact information for every county's records office, including Burlington County.

Cities in Burlington County

Burlington County has 40 municipalities. All serious criminal cases from these areas are handled by the Superior Court in Mount Holly.

Other municipalities include Bordentown, Burlington City, Cinnaminson, Delran, Florence, Lumberton, Maple Shade, Medford, Moorestown, Mount Holly, Riverside, and Westampton among others in Burlington County.

Nearby Counties

Burlington County borders several other counties. Criminal cases are filed where the offense happened, so check the location to find the right court.