Union County, established in 1857, has a population of 575,000 residents and covers an area of 271 square kilometers. Its county seat in Elizabeth is a major hub for transportation and commerce. Situated in Northeastern New Jersey, Union County is known for its historical significance, including its role in the Revolutionary War.

Courts in Union County

The court system in Union County consists of Superior, Surrogate, and Municipal Courts. The Superior Court in Union County has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases but handles cases beyond the scope of the lower courts. The Superior Court has a Family and Chancery Divisions. The court presides over felonies, civil disputes, divorce, and non-monetary disputes such as injunctions.

The Union County Surrogate Court handles probate matters, including the administration of estates, the probate of wills, and the appointment of guardians for minors and incapacitated persons. 

The Municipal Courts in Union County are the lowest courts in the county. The court presides over minor offenses, local ordinance violations, and small civil matters. Cases heard by the court include landlord/tenant disputes for smaller amounts, traffic violations, and disorderly conduct.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Union County

Public court records are all documents filed and kept by the court, publicly available to anyone who requests the record. The Clerk of the Superior Court is the record custodian for public court records from Union County. Record seekers may obtain public court records through the Judiciary Electronic Document Submissions (JEDS). The platform permits users to submit electronic requests for public court records. The courthouses also entertain mail and written requests for court records. Interested persons may also access public court records online using the Courts Public Access. Public court documents from the municipal courts are available using the New Jersey Municipal Court Direct platform.

Types of Public Court Records in Union County

Examining public court records in Union County provides citizens with access to insights into the judicial process in the county while ensuring the judiciary operates with equity and fairness.  The following types of public court documents are available to the general public in Union County:

• Civil Court Records: Property damages, breach of contract, personal injury,  landlord/tenant disputes, and small claims
• Criminal Court Records: Arrest records, felonies, and misdemeanor court records
• Probate Court Records: Administration of deceased estate, wills, trusts, conservatorships, name change, and guardianship
• Family Court Records: Annulment, divorce records, spousal support, child custody, and child support
• Traffic Court Records: Traffic citations, including speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and driving without a license

Confidential Court Records in Union County

Confidential court records in Union County refer to the documents and papers maintained by the courts but unavailable to the general public. Confidential court records are sensitive information sealed by a court order or kept confidential by statute or law. Confidential court records in Union County include:

• Expunged court records
• Medical, psychiatric, and psychological records
• Alcohol and drug dependency records
• Juvenile court records
• Trade secrets and proprietary records

Likewise, confidential personal identifiers on court documents are closed to the public. Therefore, social security numbers, insurance policy numbers, financial account numbers, vehicle plate numbers, driver’s license numbers, and tax identification numbers on a court document are redacted and excluded from public view.

Juvenile Delinquency in Union, NC

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Union County, juvenile delinquency offenses are on the rise. There are many reasons for the inflation in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in North Carolina often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of charges, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 391 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Union County. Of that total, 90% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 353 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Union County, are focusing on family counseling and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Union County juvenile delinquency tallies will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Union County, NC

https://www.nc.gov/

County Seat:	Monroe
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1842
Total Square Miles:	640
2019 Population:	231,366
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	500 N Main St Rm 921 County Courthouse Monroe , NC 28112-4731 http://www.co.union.nc.us

Union County, NC Courts