Public Services/Forms

Every victim of crime has the right to file a civil lawsuit. That is why the National Center for Victims of Crime established the National Crime Victim Bar Association, the nation’s first professional association of attorneys dedicated to helping victims of crime secure justice in the civil courts. Unfortunately, many victims are unaware of their civil justice rights or are unsure where to turn for help. Regardless of whether the crime is homicide, sexual assault, child sex abuse, stalking, domestic violence, theft, or fraud, victims have options in the civil justice system. While pursing a civil case will not be a viable option for every victim of crime, each victim should have the opportunity to learn whether, in his or her particular case, compensation, restitution, or litigation might provide them with the resources to rebuild their life. The National Crime Victim Bar Association provides information to help victims make an informed decision on which course of action is right for them. The National Crime Victim Bar Association publication, “Civil Justice for Victims of Crime in New Jersey,” is an easy-to-read booklet designed to give crime victims a basic understanding of the civil justice system and to make them aware of the civil remedies available to them.

Civil Justice for Victims of Crime in New Jersey

The best way to obtain your criminal history is to go online and make an appointment at:

 www.bioapplicant.com/nj

If you do not have internet access call Sagem Morpho at (877) 503-5981 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Spanish speaking operators are available upon request.

Sagem Morpho is under contract with the State of New Jersey and will scan your fingerprints and forward them to the State Police. When the fingerprints are received the State Police can run a criminal history. This is only an alternative if you were fingerprinted when you were arrested.

People interested in obtaining copies of documents in a criminal investigation, such as police reports, may file a written request for those records through the Prosecutor’s Office. Requests may also be made to the prosecutor’s office for the return of property seized during criminal investigations.

Criminal investigative documents are generally not made public however all requests will be reviewed individually. Factors taken into consideration include the relation between the applicant and the investigation, what documents are being sought and the purpose of the request. If the case was not referred to the Prosecutor’s Office or was downgraded to the municipal level, the request must be made of the municipal agency directly.

Some documents such as the criminal complaints and indictments are public pursuant to the Open Public Records Act. The form needed to make this kind of request is available on this site’s OPRA page.

All requests for copies of documents or return of property must be in writing and addressed to:

ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR BILL STAAS
CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
25 NORTH FIFTH STREET
CAMDEN, NJ 08102

The following information must be included:

Defendant’s Name (if known)
Case Number (prosecutor, police department or summons number)
Type of Request
Reason for Request
Date of Incident
Municipality Where Incident Occurred
Requestor’s Name, Address and Phone Number
Signature of Requestor
Date of Request

A person charged with a crime who has an addiction problem may be eligible for entry into drug court as an alternative to incarceration. Persons charged with violent crimes are not eligible for the program. The form included below may be filled out and submitted any time after a charge has been filed and should be mailed to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. A copy should also be sent to Drug Court at the Camden County Hall of Justice, 101 South 5th Street, Camden NJ, 08103.

Drug Court Application

There are multiple steps that must be taken before a person can be permitted an expungement. Please read the document below to determine whether you are eligible to receive an expungement:

Expungements FAQ

If you believe you qualify for an expungement, print, read and fill out the documents below, along with a check for $75.00 made out to the Treasurer of the State of New Jersey. Mail all three forms to the Camden County Hall of Justice Expungement Unit, 101 South 5th Street, Camden NJ, 08103. Keep a copy off all paperwork for your own records.

Instructions for Filing an Expungement

Petition for Expungement

Order Granting Expungement

Upon receipt, the court will file these documents and assign a docket number to your petition. You will receive a copy of these documents with the docket number attached and a hearing date assigned. A copy of the documents must be sent by certified mail to all agencies required by N.J.S.A. 2C:52-10. Assuming all of your paperwork is completed correctly, you do not need to attend your hearing date for expungement of your eligible charges to be granted. If your eligible charges are expunged, the court will send a signed expungement order to you. That order should also be sent to all agencies required by N.J.S.A. 2C:52-10 so they know to expunge your record.

The Prosecutor’s Office infrequently handles cases related to identity theft. For more information on how to protect yourself against this type of crime, the following web sites offer useful information and tips.

Here are two good websites for victims of identity theft:

www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html

www.stopfraud.gov/protect-identity.html

This program allows people charged with crimes an alternative to the traditional criminal justice process. It places the emphasis on rehabilitation rather than incarceration, focusing on a defendant’s personal problems in an effort to resolve them and help the defendant avoid future criminal activity. To be eligible a defendant must have no prior criminal history and no previous diversions. Defendants accused of violent crimes are generally not eligible for PTI.

For more information about PTI and to apply for the program print out and complete the form below and mail it to the Camden County Hall of Justice, 101 South 5th Street, Camden NJ, 08103, attn. PTI Coordinator, room 580.

PTI Brochure

If you are a victim of a crime being prosecuted by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, please print out and complete the form below and mail it to the Victim/Witness Unit at the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. It will aid our victim witness coordinators in assisting you as your case progresses through the criminal justice system.

Victim Impact Information Form

The Veterans Diversion Program is to provide a collaborative partnership between the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, local law enforcement agencies, Veterans Administrators, State and County Agencies, community-based organizations and medical treatment facilities to identify eligible veteran-defendants at their earliest contact with the criminal justice system, determine whether their issues can be attributed to PTSD, TBI, substance abuse, or psychological problems, and divert their cases to a treatment based early intervention program.

Attorneys who believe their clients may qualify for this program should complete the VDP Application form, VDP Medical Release form and the Eligibility Form. The completed forms should then be emailed to veteransdiversion@ccprosecutor.org

VDP Medical Release form

VDP Application form

Eligibility Form

Understanding the services Available to Sexual Assault Victims in New Jersey

In November 2018, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal issued the Attorney General Standards for Providing Services to Victims of Sexual Assault, Third Edition (“Standards”). The Standards provide a set of fourteen protocols that prioritize the needs and concerns of sexual assault victims in New Jersey. Most importantly, the Standards ensure that victims are treated with respect and understanding in the days, weeks, and months after reporting an assault. Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault Understanding the Services Available to Sexual Assault Victims in New Jersey

The Standards focus on delivering services to victims in a timely and non-judgmental manner. This victim-centered approach includes:

• ensuring the victim’s safety is the top priority;
• respecting the integrity, choices, and autonomy of each victim;
• protecting the victim’s privacy and confidential information;
• identifying and responding to the obstacles some victims may face when seeking help; and
• recognizing the importance of victim feedback in improving responses to sexual assault.

Under the Standards, victims may seek the assistance of a Sexual Assault Response Team, or SART, which is available to any victim 13 years or older who reports an assault within five days. Each SART consists of a confidential sexual violence advocate (CSVA), a forensic nurse examiner (FNE), and a law enforcement officer. Victims may request SART services by calling 9-1-1 or presenting at a law enforcement agency, a healthcare facility.

Attorney General Standards for Providing Services to Victims of Sexual Assault, Third Edition