Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania
I was the victim of a violent crime in Victory Gardens, NJ in 1975. Am I entitle to get a copy of the police report along with the photopraghs taken of me to domument my injuries?
1 Answer from Attorneys
I do not mean to sound flip, but this is a question of New Jersey criminal law. I am not licensed on New Jersey and I do not handle criminal law so my advice would be to seek out a New Jersey criminal lawyer.
First, why are you raising this issue after 35 years?
Generally, police reports are public records. The problem is that the crime occurred over 35 years ago. Are the records still maintained in some form? If so, then you can probably get a copy of the police report.
Regarding the photos, who took the photos? They may exist in a district attorney's file or as evidence, but chances are that the case was resolved. I do not know the New Jersey requirement for retention of criminal evidence and the photos may have been destroyed. And even if they exist, I am not sure that you have a right to see the evidence.
I know that you were the victim, but you still do not have a right to the evidence. But I would checdk with a New Jersey attorney just to be sure.