Franklin Township DUI Records
Franklin Township DUI records are kept by the Franklin Township Municipal Court and the local police department. Franklin Township is in Somerset County and has a population of about 67,000. DUI charges in Franklin fall under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, and the municipal court handles all DUI cases that begin with a stop or arrest in the township. You can look up DUI case results, check court dates, and find arrest details through local and state search tools. This page shows you how to access DUI records in Franklin Township.
Franklin Township Quick Facts
Franklin Municipal Court DUI Cases
The Franklin Township Municipal Court hears all DUI cases that start with a traffic stop or arrest in the township. When a driver is charged under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 in Franklin, the case is filed at this court. The court keeps a file for each case that holds the complaint, police reports, BAC test results, and any plea or trial outcome. These court files are the main source for Franklin Township DUI records.
DUI is a traffic offense in New Jersey, not a crime. That means DUI cases stay in the municipal court system and do not move up to Superior Court unless they are tied to an indictable charge like assault by auto. Most Franklin DUI records live at the municipal level as a result.
You can call the court or go in person to ask about a case. Court staff can look up DUI records by name or ticket number. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to visit. The court clerk can tell you the status of a case, the next court date, and what the final result was if the case is closed.
Searching Franklin DUI Records Online
The New Jersey Courts run an online portal where you can look up municipal court cases, including DUI charges filed in Franklin Township. The Municipal Court Case Search tool lets you search by name, case number, or complaint number. It pulls results from courts all over the state, so you can find Franklin DUI records without leaving your home.
To use the tool, type in the full name of the person and pick Franklin Township from the court list. The results will show the charge, court date, and case status. Keep in mind that not all old cases are in the online system. For Franklin DUI records that go back more than a few years, you may need to call the court or visit in person to get the details you need.
The NJ Courts Find a Case page also lets you look up cases across all court levels. This tool covers both municipal and Superior Court records and is a good backup if the municipal search does not return the results you want.
You can also check your own criminal history by requesting a New Jersey RAP sheet. While DUI is a traffic offense and may not show on a criminal record, other charges tied to a DUI arrest could appear on your RAP sheet.
Franklin DUI Arrest Records
The Franklin Township Police Department handles DUI arrests in the township. When an officer pulls over a driver and suspects drunk driving, the officer runs field tests and may use a breath test device. If the driver fails or turns down the test, the officer makes an arrest. The police keep a record of each DUI arrest that notes the date, time, place, charges, and BAC reading if one was taken.
You can request Franklin Township police arrest records by filing an Open Public Records Act request. New Jersey law under OPRA gives the public a right to access government records, including police reports for DUI arrests. You submit the request in writing to the Franklin Township Police Department. There may be a small fee for copies.
The township has seven business days to respond under OPRA. Simple requests often come back in just a few days. If the request is large or complex, the township must let you know and give a new date for when the records will be ready.
DUI Penalties in Franklin Township
New Jersey sets DUI penalties at the state level, and the Franklin Township Municipal Court follows the same rules as all other courts in the state. The penalties depend on whether it is a first, second, or third offense and what the BAC level was at the time of the stop. The legal limit is 0.08% for drivers age 21 and up.
A first DUI offense in Franklin with a BAC from 0.08% to 0.10% brings fines of $250 to $400. The court may order up to 30 days in jail, but jail time is rare for a first offense. The driver must go to the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center for 12 to 48 hours. The MVC will suspend the license, and the driver must install an ignition interlock device during and after the period of suspension.
If the BAC is above 0.10% on a first offense, fines rise to $300 to $500. You can see the full penalty chart on the NJ MVC DUI penalties page. Second and third offenses carry much steeper fines, more time with no license, and mandatory jail time. All of these penalties become part of the Franklin Township DUI record once the court issues its sentence.
Checking Your Driving Record
A DUI conviction in Franklin Township goes on your driving record with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. This is a separate record from the court file. The MVC keeps a full history of your license status, points, suspensions, and DUI convictions. You can order a copy of your own driving history through the MVC driver history page.
Your driving record will show the date of the DUI, the statute, and any license suspension tied to it. In New Jersey, DUI convictions stay on your driving record for life. They do not drop off after a set number of years. This is why Franklin Township DUI records can matter for a long time after the case ends.
Somerset County Court DUI Records
Most DUI cases in Franklin Township stay in the municipal court. But if a DUI arrest also involves a serious crash with injuries or death, the case may be upgraded to an indictable offense such as assault by auto or vehicular homicide. Those cases move to the Somerset County Superior Court at 20 North Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. You can reach the court at 908-231-7000. The Criminal Division is on the 3rd floor at (908) 231-7600.
The Somerset County Clerk keeps records at 20 Grove Street in Somerville. The clerk's office can help you find DUI cases that went past the municipal court and provide copies of related county filings.
Appeals from the Franklin Township Municipal Court also go through the Somerset County Superior Court. If a DUI case was tried in Franklin and then appealed, the county court keeps a record of that appeal and its result.
DUI Expungement in Franklin
New Jersey does not allow expungement of DUI convictions. DUI is a traffic offense under Title 39, not a criminal charge under Title 2C. The state expungement law does not cover traffic offenses, so a DUI conviction in Franklin Township stays on your record for good. There is no legal way to have it removed or sealed.
If you were charged with DUI in Franklin but the case was dismissed or you were found not guilty, that outcome shows up in the record as well. A dismissal is not the same as a conviction, and the court file will reflect the true result. Some charges that come with a DUI, like reckless driving or refusal to submit to a breath test, may have different rules. Speak with a lawyer if you have questions about your record.
Somerset County DUI Records
Franklin Township is part of Somerset County, and all DUI cases that reach the Superior Court level go through the Somerset County court system. The county also handles appeals from the Franklin Township Municipal Court. For more on county-level DUI records, court contacts, and related resources, visit the Somerset County DUI records page.