Several years ago, the New Jersey legislated/implemented the Open Public Records Act.  The Open Public Records Act is applicable to towns, counties as well as the State of New Jersey and all the associated subdivisions.  The public’s access to public records is one of the key portions of this legislation.  The state has a website directing a consumer to the appropriate agency to request public records.  There is a state request form, there are specific instructions on how to request government records, a department and agency index, state services index, frequently asked questions and educational links.  As an example, if the Department of Consumer Affairs instituted a claim or a lawsuit against particular dealership, you could access these records or request these records through Open Public Records Act by filling out an online form and requesting the complaint as well as any pleadings or discovery which the attorney general’s office filed in that matter.  As practical matter, these records will be accessible to through the court system if you had knowledge of the docket number of the complaint and/or pleadings.  The public’s access to Open Records is a key provision under New Jersey law and many individuals did access to Open Records for various reasons.