Sussex County Criminal Court Records
Sussex County criminal court records are available through the Superior Court and Clerk's Office in Newton, New Jersey. The county is in the northwestern corner of the state and is part of the Morris and Sussex Vicinage. Searching for criminal court records in Sussex County involves the Judicial Center, the Hall of Records, or online state portals. The Criminal Division handles all indictable offenses for the county, and records can be obtained in person or by written request.
Sussex County Quick Facts
Sussex County Criminal Division
The Sussex County Judicial Center is at 43-47 High Street in Newton, NJ 07860. The Historic Courthouse is at 3 High Street. The Criminal Division Municipal Appeals Clerk is at the Judicial Complex. The main phone is 862-397-5700. For the Criminal Division, call extension 75316. Don Soisson manages the Criminal Division.
Sussex County is part of the Morris and Sussex Vicinage. This means the two counties share certain court administration services. The Assignment Judge is Hon. Stuart A. Minkowski, reachable at 862-397-5700, extension 75385. The Court Administrator is Susan Chait at extension 75065. The Ombudsman is Jennifer Shultis at extension 75069.
Several Superior Court judges serve Sussex County. They include Hon. Lorraine M. Augostini, Hon. David J. Weaver, Hon. Michael C. Gaus, Hon. Janine Allen, and Hon. Dina Mikulka. These judges hear criminal court cases and other matters. All can be reached through the main courthouse number at 862-397-5700 with their respective extensions.
| Court |
Sussex County Judicial Center Criminal Division 43-47 High Street Newton, NJ 07860 Phone: (862) 397-5700 ext. 75316 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Vicinage | Morris/Sussex Vicinage |
Note: The Sussex County Judicial Center and the Historic Courthouse are two separate buildings, both on High Street in Newton.
Search Sussex County Criminal Records
To search for criminal court records in Sussex County, you need certain details about the case. The most helpful details include the case party's first and last name, the case number, and the court where the case was heard. With this information, you can search in person or by written request.
For in-person searches, visit the County Court Clerk at the Hall of Records, Cochran House Building, 83 Spring Street, Suite 304, Newton, NJ 07860. The phone is 973-579-0900. Staff can help you find criminal court records using their search systems. Fees vary depending on the type of record. Court staff may require that requests be put in writing.
Online searches for Sussex County criminal court records can be done through the PROMIS/Gavel Public Access system. This portal covers indictable cases from arrest through appeal. You can also use the NJ Courts Find a Case page for broader searches across the state court system.
Visit the Sussex County Clerk website for records access information.
The newly redesigned Sussex County Clerk website provides information about available services and records.
Sussex County Hall of Records
The Hall of Records in Sussex County serves as the main repository for county documents. The County Clerk is Jeffrey M. Parrott. The office is at 83 Spring Street, Suite 304, Newton, NJ 07860. The phone is 973-579-0900. The fax is 973-383-7493. The Senior Deputy Clerk is Angela Rosa, and the Deputy Clerk is Sheryl Talmadge.
The Records Room is in a different location from the main Clerk's Office. It is on the lower parking level of the Cochran House Professional Building at 83 Spring Street, Suite 204. The Title Searcher's Vault phone is 973-383-9031. This room holds land records and property documents, not criminal court records. For criminal court records in Sussex County, go to the Judicial Center on High Street.
The Clerk's Office handles property recordings, business trade names, passports, notary registrations, and election services. These are not criminal court records, but the Clerk can direct you to the right office. The website at sussexcountyclerk.org was recently redesigned to improve access to information for Sussex County residents.
Note: The Hall of Records at 83 Spring Street and the Judicial Center at 43-47 High Street are separate buildings in Newton, so confirm which one you need before visiting.
Sussex County Court Records Search
To conduct a name-based search for Sussex County court records, you need the case party's name, case number, and court location. Visit the County Court Clerk at the Hall of Records for in-person searches. Written requests can also be submitted. The NJ Courts Criminal Division Records Room listing provides contact details and instructions for requesting criminal court records in Sussex County and across all New Jersey counties.
Fees for accessing criminal court records in Sussex County are set by the New Jersey Judiciary. The standard rates apply statewide. Letter-size copies cost $0.05 per page. Legal-size copies cost $0.07 per page. Certified copies are $15 each. A court seal costs $10. Exemplified copies cost $50 plus copy fees.
Sussex County Historical Court Records
Sussex County was formed on June 8, 1753, from Morris County. The New Jersey State Archives holds an extensive collection of older Sussex County records. The collection covers 140.46 cubic feet of paper records and 184.5 reels of microfilm.
Historical criminal court records in the State Archives include Coroner's Office Inquisitions from 1767 to 1946, Coroner's Office Certificates from 1830 to 1953, and Court of General Quarter Sessions Petitions for Peddler's Licenses from 1770 to 1839. Militia Papers from 1768 to 1840 and Sheriff's Office Account Books from 1881 to 1944 are also preserved.
These records offer a window into the criminal justice history of Sussex County. The Coroner's Inquisitions, in particular, document deaths investigated by county authorities over nearly two centuries. For records predating the modern court system, the State Archives is the best source. For current criminal court records, contact the Judicial Center in Newton.
Sussex County Court Divisions
The Sussex County Superior Court has several divisions. The Criminal Division is managed by Don Soisson at extension 75316. The Civil and Law Division is led by Alex Sousa at extension 75452. Special Civil Part can be reached at extension 75455. The Family Division is run by Dawn Carruth at extension 75184. Probation Services are managed by Cory DiBiase at extension 75590.
Criminal court records come from the Criminal Division. Civil matters, family cases, and probation records are kept by their respective divisions. If you are not sure which division holds the records you need, call the main courthouse number at 862-397-5700 and ask to be directed to the right office.
The Municipal Court Case Search portal covers minor offenses heard in local municipal courts throughout Sussex County. These records are separate from Superior Court criminal court records and cover traffic violations, minor complaints, and disorderly persons offenses.
Towns in Sussex County
Sussex County has multiple municipalities. All serious criminal cases for these towns are handled at the Sussex County Judicial Center in Newton. Each municipality also has a municipal court for minor criminal matters.
Other municipalities in Sussex County include Sparta Township, Vernon Township, Hopatcong Borough, Andover Township, Franklin Borough, Hamburg Borough, Ogdensburg Borough, Stanhope Borough, Sussex Borough, Wantage Township, Byram Township, Green Township, Hardyston Township, Hampton Township, Fredon Township, Stillwater Township, Sandyston Township, Walpack Township, Lafayette Township, and Montague Township. All indictable criminal court records go to the Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Sussex County. Criminal court records are filed where the arrest took place. Confirm the location of the offense before requesting records from a specific county.