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Open Public Records Act

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The public is permitted access to government records under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) N.J.S.A. 47:1a-1, et seq. with certain exceptions. The attached OPRA Form lists many of the exceptions and explains your rights under the law. While the OPRA form will help facilitate requests, OPRA does not require use of the form. However, requests must be in writing. Please submit your request by email at OPRA@hcpo.org, hand, or mail to:

The Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor:

595 Newark Avenue, 6th Floor
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Attention: Custodian of Record

Click here to download the OPRA request form. 

A person who is denied access to a government record by the custodian of record has a right to file a complaint with the New Jersey’s Government Records Council (GRC) or to file suit in Superior Court to challenge the decision and compel disclosure. The Government Records Council oversees the workings of the OPRA process throughout the State.

What to do if your request for a record has been denied

The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.) permits a person who believes that he or she has been unlawfully denied access to a public record either to file a complaint with the GRC or to file suit in Superior Court to challenge the decision and compel disclosure. This poster describes the procedures for taking such actions.

To file a complaint with the GRC:

  • Visit the GRC’s website at nj.gov/grc for information and to register your complaint. In the alternative, you may contact the GRC by telephone at 1-866-850-0511 or by e-mail at government.records@dca.nj.gov.
  • When you file the written complaint, the GRC will offer both you and the public agency non-adversarial, impartial mediation. If mediation is not accepted or is not successful, the GRC will investigate the complaint.
  • In some cases, the GRC can award attorney’s fees to a complainant or impose a fine against a records custodian’s agency.
  • There is no fee to file a complaint with the GRC.

 

To file a complaint in Superior Court:

  • A requestor may start a summary (expedited) lawsuit in the Superior Court. A written complaint and order to show cause must be filed with the court.
  • The court requires a filing fee, and you must serve the lawsuit papers on the appropriate parties.
  • The court will schedule a hearing to resolve the dispute.
  • If you disagree with the court’s decision, you may appeal the decision to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court.
  • If you are successful, you may be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees.
  • You may wish to consult with an attorney to learn about initiating and pursuing a summary lawsuit in the Superior Court.
  • Filing suit in Superior Court may result in a faster resolution, because the courts adjudicate cases every day, whereas the GRC only meets once a month.

Government Records Council, P.O. Box 819, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0819

¿Que debe Usted hacer si solicita un record y se le es negado?

La ley (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.) le permite a una persona a quien se cree que se le ha negado el acceso a un record público ilegalmente, presenter una queja al GRC, or presentar una demanda en la corte superior para obligor a obtenerse información or conocimiento del record que no pudo se revelado. En ésta página se describe el procedimiento de como tomar acción.

Como presentar una queja al GRC:

  • Visite el sitio internet de GRC en nj.gov/grc para obtener información y para registrar su queja. Alternativamente, puede comunicarse con el GRC por teléfono al 1-866-850- 0511, o puede comunicarse por correo electrónico: government.records@dca.nj.gov.
  • Cuando presente una queja por escrito, el GRC le ofrecerá tanto a usted como a la agen- cia pública una mediación imparcial. Si la mediación no es aceptada o no tiene éxito, el GRC investigará la queja.
  • En algunos casos, el GRC puede otorgar honorarios de abogado a un reclamante o impon- er una multa a la agencia de custodio de registros.
  • No hay cargos para presentar una queja con el GRC.

 

Para presentar una queja en el Corte Superior:

  • El demandante puede iniciar un juicio sumario (acelerado) en la Corte Superior. Una queja por escrito y una orden para demostrar causa debe ser presentada a la corte.
  • La corte requiere una cuota de presentación. Además usted tiene que suministrar los papeles de la demanda a los oficiales públicos apropriados.
  • La Corte hará una audiencia para resolver la disputa.
  • Si no está de acuerdo con la decisión del tribunal, puede apelar la decisión á la División de Apelaciones de la Corte Superior.
  • Si tiene éxito, puede tener derecho a honorarios razonables de abogado.
  • Es posible que desee consultar con un abogado para obtener información acerca de iniciar y llevar a cabo un juicio sumario en la Corte Superior.
  • La presentación de la demanda en la Corte Superior generalmente resulta en una decisión más rápida, porque los tribunales dictaban casos todos los días, mientras que la GRC sólo se reúne una vez al mes.

Government Records Council, P.O. Box 819, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0819

For more information visit the website of the New Jersey Government Records Council’s website.

Common Law Request

Common Law requests for documents may also be submitted via email email at OPRA@hcpo.org, delivered by hand, or mail to the address above.