Clifton Arrest Records and Booking Log Search
Clifton is a large city in Passaic County with a population of about 85,000. The Clifton Police Department processes all recent arrests in the city from its main station at 820 Clifton Avenue. Arrest records, booking logs, and criminal case data are public under the Open Public Records Act. Residents and the public can request copies of these records through OPRA. The Clifton police maintain detailed logs for each arrest that takes place in the city. Passaic County courts handle the more serious criminal cases that start with a Clifton arrest.
Clifton Quick Facts
Clifton Police Arrest Records
The Clifton Police Department is the main law enforcement body in the city. Officers patrol all parts of Clifton and respond to calls at all hours. Each arrest creates a set of records that the public can access. The department logs all booking data at the main station on Clifton Avenue.
When someone is arrested in Clifton, the booking process starts at police headquarters. Staff record the charge and take prints. They note the name, date of birth, and home address of the person. The arrest report lists the date, time, and place of the event. It names the officer who made the arrest and shows the bail terms set for that case.
You can reach the Clifton Police Department at (973) 470-5911 for questions about recent arrests or active cases.
| Agency |
Clifton Police Department 820 Clifton Ave Clifton, NJ 07013 Phone: (973) 470-5911 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open 24 hours for emergencies; records office Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | cliftonpd.org |
Clifton arrest records go through the central records office at the police station. All patrol units and detective bureaus file their reports here. When you ask for a record, staff pull it from this system.
Note: The police records office may have a short wait time during peak hours. Call first to check on the status of your request if you plan to pick up records in person.
Clifton OPRA Record Requests
The Open Public Records Act is the main tool for getting arrest records in Clifton. The law is found at N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. It gives the public a right to access government records. Arrest logs, booking data, and criminal complaints fall under this law. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
To file an OPRA request in Clifton, you fill out the form with the name and date of the arrest. List the type of record you need. Be clear and brief. Send the form to the city clerk or to the police records unit. The city must respond in seven business days under state law.
Be as clear as you can in each request. State the full name of the person. Give the arrest date if you know it. A clear request gets a fast response. Vague ones may be sent back or turned down.
The OPRA guidelines page on the state site has forms and rules for all public record requests in New Jersey. This page applies to Clifton and all other cities in the state.
Note: If the city asks for more time, it must tell you in writing. The law allows one extension of seven business days in some cases.
Clifton Criminal Case Lookup
The New Jersey Courts website has tools for looking up case data from Clifton. You can search by name or docket number. Results show the charge, filing date, case status, and next court date. The system covers all 21 counties. Clifton cases filed in Passaic County Superior Court will show up here.
The state also runs a more detailed search through the Public Access portal. This tool lets you look up criminal and traffic cases from across New Jersey. You can filter by county to see only Passaic County results. It is free to use. No account is needed to search.
The state Department of Public Safety maintains a search portal that covers records from all New Jersey law enforcement agencies. The screenshot shows the public search page used for Clifton and statewide record lookups.
Court records track the legal case from filing to outcome. They do not include the full police report from Clifton. For the arrest report itself, you need to file an OPRA request with the police department or the city clerk.
Passaic County Arrest Records
The Passaic County Sheriff also plays a role in the arrest process. The sheriff handles warrant service, court transport, and the county jail. If a person arrested in Clifton is held at the county level, their booking record will be with the sheriff.
Inmates held at the Passaic County jail have records that show the arrest date, charges, bail status, and court dates. These records are public. You can request them through the sheriff or through the county OPRA process. The county clerk handles OPRA requests for county-level records.
For people sent to state prison after a Clifton arrest, the Department of Corrections has an offender search tool. It shows the facility, sentence length, and parole status. This is a state-level tool that covers all prisons in New Jersey.
Clifton Booking Record Details
A booking record from Clifton has several parts. Each one covers a different step in the arrest process.
The arrest log is the core part. It has the name, date of birth, and home address. It shows the date and time of arrest. Every charge is listed with its statute number. The officer who made the arrest is named. Bail terms are noted on the form.
Clifton arrest records may include:
- Full name and date of birth
- Date, time, and place of arrest
- Charges and statute codes
- Arresting officer and badge number
- Bail or hold status
Not all items are released in every case. Mugshots have strict limits under New Jersey law. The state restricts the release of booking photos in some situations. But the core facts of an arrest in Clifton are public. The charge, date, and name are almost always available through OPRA.
Note: If a record has been sealed or expunged by a court order, the police department will respond as if no record exists.
Clifton Offender Record Search
New Jersey maintains a sex offender registry that covers all cities in the state, including Clifton. The registry is run by the state and is separate from the local arrest record system. It lists people who have been convicted of certain offenses and are required to register under state law.
The state registry search page is shown here. This tool lets you look up registered offenders in Clifton and all other areas of New Jersey.
Registry data is not the same as arrest records. It shows conviction status, not pending cases. For recent arrests in Clifton, use the OPRA process or the state court search tools listed on this page.
Clifton Record Access Rights
New Jersey law strongly favors public access to arrest records. The Open Public Records Act starts from the view that records are open. Agencies must show a legal reason to hold them back. This applies to all arrest records held by the Clifton Police Department and the city clerk.
There are some limits. Juvenile records are sealed by law. Records tied to open investigations may be held back. Internal affairs files have their own rules under state code. Expunged records are removed from public view. But for most adult arrests in Clifton, the basic facts are available to anyone who asks.
If an OPRA request for Clifton arrest records is denied, you have options. The Government Records Council reviews complaints at no cost. You can file a complaint on the council website. The council will look at the denial and decide if the records should be released. This process is free and open to all residents of Clifton and the rest of New Jersey.
Passaic County Arrest Records
Clifton is in Passaic County. All serious criminal cases go through the Passaic County Superior Court. The county sheriff runs the jail and processes warrants. For more on the county system, arrest data, OPRA procedures, and related resources, visit the full Passaic County page.