Atlantic County DUI Court Records
Atlantic County DUI records are filed through the municipal courts that serve this coastal region of New Jersey. If you need to look up a DUI case in Atlantic County, records are held at the court where the charge was heard. The county seat is Mays Landing, and the Criminal Division of the Superior Court sits at 4997 Unami Boulevard. Municipal courts across Atlantic County handle most DUI offenses at the local level. You can search for these records online, by phone, or in person at the courthouse.
Atlantic County Quick Facts
Atlantic County DUI Records at the Courthouse
DUI cases in Atlantic County fall under the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage, a single judicial district that covers both counties. The Criminal Division is based at the courthouse in Mays Landing. Staff there can help you find records for DUI charges that moved beyond the municipal court level. The Criminal Division main number is 609-402-0100, ext 47310. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Atlantic Cape May Vicinage Superior Court oversees all criminal and civil matters in the area. Most DUI cases in Atlantic County start in one of the local municipal courts. If a DUI charge stays at that level, the record is kept by that court. Cases that involve injury, repeat offenses, or other charges may move to the Superior Court in Mays Landing. Both courts maintain their own set of DUI records for Atlantic County.
| Court |
Atlantic County Criminal Courthouse 4997 Unami Boulevard Mays Landing, NJ 08330 Phone: 609-402-0100 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | njcourts.gov - Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage |
Search Atlantic County DUI Records Online
There are two main ways to look up DUI records in Atlantic County through the New Jersey Courts website. The first is the general case search tool. The second is built for municipal court cases, which is where most DUI charges are heard. Both tools are free to use and do not need an account.
The NJ Courts case search portal lets you look up cases across the state, including DUI cases filed in Atlantic County. You can search by a person's name or by docket number. Results show the case type, filing date, and court. This tool covers Superior Court records. For DUI offenses tried in a municipal court within Atlantic County, the municipal case search is the better option.
The Municipal Court Case Search is built for local court records. DUI charges under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 are heard in the municipal court for the town where the stop took place. In Atlantic County, that could be any of the 23 municipalities. Enter a name to see results from courts in Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, Hammonton, or any other town in the county.
You can also visit the courthouse in person. Bring a valid ID. Staff at the clerk window can search DUI records by name or docket number. Older records in Atlantic County may take more time to pull.
DUI Laws That Apply in Atlantic County
New Jersey treats DUI as a traffic offense, not a crime. It is still a serious charge. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher is a DUI. This law applies in all 23 municipalities in Atlantic County. Police in Atlantic City, Pleasantville, and other towns enforce this same standard.
Penalties for a first DUI offense in Atlantic County include a fine of $250 to $500. The court can suspend your license for 3 months to 1 year. You must also complete 12 to 48 hours at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, known as the IDRC. Atlantic County has its own IDRC program run through the state. Second and third offenses carry much steeper fines, longer suspensions, and possible jail time. The NJ MVC penalty chart breaks down the full range of consequences for each offense level.
New Jersey also has an implied consent law. When you get a license, you agree to take a breath test if asked. Refusing the test is a separate violation in Atlantic County, with its own set of penalties that mirror DUI consequences.
Atlantic County DUI Records Through OPRA
DUI records in Atlantic County are public. The Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1, gives anyone the right to request government records in New Jersey. You do not need to be part of the case. You do not need to give a reason for your request. OPRA covers court records, police reports, and other documents tied to DUI cases in Atlantic County.
To file an OPRA request in Atlantic County, contact the County Clerk. The main office is at 5901 Main Street in Mays Landing, NJ 08330. The phone number is (609) 625-4011. There is also a satellite office at 1333 Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City. The County Clerk, Edward P. McGettigan, oversees the office. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. You can learn more about the OPRA process at nj.gov/opra.
OPRA requests must be answered within 7 business days. Copy fees are low:
- Letter-size pages cost $0.05 each
- Legal-size pages cost $0.07 each
- Special formats may have added fees
- Electronic copies may be free
If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Government Records Council. Their toll-free number is 1-866-850-0511. The GRC reviews disputes between the public and records custodians across New Jersey, including those in Atlantic County.
Driver Records in Atlantic County
A DUI conviction shows up on your driving record. The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission calls this a Driver History Abstract. It lists all violations, suspensions, and points on your license. A DUI in Atlantic County will appear on this record. The Driver History Abstract costs $15 and can be ordered through the MVC.
One thing to know about DUI records in Atlantic County is that they cannot be erased. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-28, DUI convictions are not eligible for expungement in New Jersey. A DUI stays on your record permanently. This applies to every DUI case heard in Atlantic County, no matter how old it is. The record will always be part of your driving history and court file.
Atlantic County Municipal Courts for DUI Cases
Each town in Atlantic County has a municipal court. DUI charges are heard in the court for the town where the traffic stop happened. If you were pulled over in Egg Harbor Township, that town's municipal court handles your case. The same goes for Atlantic City, Hammonton, or Galloway. The NJ Courts municipal court page lists contact details for every court in the state.
Municipal court judges in Atlantic County can impose fines, license suspensions, IDRC time, and even jail sentences for DUI offenses. These courts also handle breath test refusal cases under the implied consent law. Each court keeps its own DUI records. To get a copy, call the court where the case was heard. Most courts in Atlantic County are open on weekdays, though some hold sessions only on set days of the week.
Related Records in Atlantic County
Beyond the court file, other offices in Atlantic County may hold records tied to DUI cases. The Atlantic County Sheriff, Eric Scheffler, oversees warrant service and courthouse security. Police departments across the county keep arrest reports from DUI stops. These can be obtained through OPRA requests to the local police department where the arrest took place.
The Civil Courthouse at 1201 Bacharach Boulevard in Atlantic City handles civil matters. If a DUI in Atlantic County led to a personal injury lawsuit, those records would be at this location. The County Clerk also maintains records related to property liens, judgments, and other civil filings that may stem from DUI-related incidents in Atlantic County.
Municipalities in Atlantic County
Atlantic County has 23 municipalities. All DUI cases are heard in the municipal court for the town where the stop occurred. Major towns include Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Pleasantville, Hammonton, and Galloway Township. Each of these towns has its own municipal court that handles DUI charges under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.
Other municipalities in Atlantic County include Absecon, Brigantine, Buena, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Longport, Margate City, Mullica Township, Northfield, Port Republic, Somers Point, Ventnor City, and Weymouth Township. Each has a municipal court that keeps its own DUI records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Atlantic County. DUI records are kept by the county where the offense took place. If you are not sure which court handled a case, check the town where the traffic stop occurred to find the right county.