Passaic County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Passaic County is located in northern New Jersey and was created from parts of Bergen and Essex counties. By population size, it is the ninth most populous county in the state, with 519,986 residents. Paterson, the county seat, contributes to more than 30% of the county's population. The Passaic County court system has a simple structure, which includes the Superior Court, Surrogate's Court, and Municipal Courts. These courts are responsible for interpreting and applying the law to ensure justice is served within the county.

Passaic County is home to 16 municipalities, each with its own municipal court. Within their jurisdictions, municipal courts handle minor criminal offenses involving disorderly conduct, petty theft, and harassment. They also hear traffic offenses and small claims cases involving amounts up to $3,000. In addition, the Passaic County Superior Court has jurisdiction over a wide range of cases through its several divisions. These divisions hold hearings for serious and minor offenses, family-related cases, and civil lawsuits. The Superior Court's Probation Division focuses on reducing recidivism and incarceration costs by rehabilitating offenders. Furthermore, as a court of limited jurisdiction, the Surrogate's Court handles only cases related to adoptions, guardianship for minors or incapacitated persons, estate administration, and probate of wills. Passaic County's only Surrogate's Court is in Paterson.

An analysis of Passaic County's crime reports revealed a year-over-year reduction in crime rates. In 2020, the crime rate per 100,000 population was 1,613.8, a decrease compared to 2,030.4 and 1,876.9 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Furthermore, the Superior Court resolves between 30,000 and 50,000 cases per fiscal year. In comparison, Municipal Courts manage a significantly higher volume, handling between 200,000 and 350,000 case dispositions each fiscal year. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains custody of court records for county-filed cases. While some court records are restricted by state law or court order, interested parties can view publicly available court records either by requesting copies or subscribing to the Electronic Access Program. Examples of court records that are not accessible to the public are:

• Paternity records
• Juvenile records (including both expunged and sealed)
• Adoption records
• Guardianship records

The Superior, Municipal, and Surrogate Courts aim to reduce recidivism, protect personal rights, and enforce the law. Through electronic means, the public can request and access court records available to them without violating the rights of people involved in confidential legal matters.