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Find Tennessee Criminal Records

Are Criminal Records Public in Tennessee?

Yes. The Tennessee Freedom of Information Act allows individuals to access public criminal records by making requests to the approved record custodian, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Requesters must provide the following information to gain access to these records:

The record subject’s name, unless the subject is a juvenile.
The record subject’s last known location, including cities, counties, and states.

Criminal records obtained from the TBI will contain comprehensive information about the offender. These records are accessible unless formally sealed or expunged. Third-party websites also offer search services for criminal records, but availability may vary.

What Constitutes a Criminal Record in Tennessee?

A criminal record in Tennessee, also known as a rap sheet, contains information on an individual's criminal history and interactions with the criminal justice system. This includes details about arrests, charges, court proceedings, and correctional status. Criminal records provide definitive proof of guilt and are more comprehensive than other police records, such as arrest records or police logs.

What Information Is Included in Tennessee Criminal Record?

Name and aliases of the offender
Date of birth and age
Race
Physical description (height, weight, hair color, eye color)
Markings (tattoos and/or scars)
Charges
Convictions
Sentences
Correctional status
Fingerprint
Photograph

How To Check Criminal Records in Tennessee

Individuals can obtain criminal records from the Criminal Justice Information Service Division of the TBI. This name-based service can be requested online or via mail. The cost for this service is $29 per person, though a fee waiver request may be submitted if releasing the record serves the public’s interest and not commercial purposes.

The TBI issues the certificate for criminal records, and the process involves submitting a formal request and adhering to the fee requirements unless waived. The records are typically provided after verifying the requester's details and the purpose of the request.

Are Arrest Records Public in Tennessee?

Yes, arrest records in Tennessee are public. These records are maintained and disseminated by local law enforcement agencies or county sheriff's offices. Some counties provide an online arrest search tool, while others accept mail or in-person requests.

Arrest records can be obtained from the respective law enforcement agencies. However, if the records fall within the nine exemptions provided under the Freedom of Information Act, agencies may not provide such records to requesters.

What Are Arrest Warrants in Tennessee?

An arrest warrant in Tennessee is an official document that authorizes law enforcement officers to take a person into custody for an alleged offense. It includes the name, address or location, physical descriptions, and other identifying information of the intended arrestee. A judge or magistrate issues an arrest warrant based on probable cause or persuasive evidence that the person named has allegedly committed a crime.

How To Lookup Mugshots in Tennessee

Mugshots are police photographs taken after a person's arrest. They are publicly available and can be found in arrest records, sex offender registries, and inmate records. Mugshots are stored at local police departments and can be obtained by visiting or calling these departments.

How To Search Inmate Records in Tennessee

Inmate records in Tennessee are publicly available. These records are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Corrections and can be accessed online via a name-based inmate search. Jail records are available on county and city jail websites.

How To Find Tennessee Criminal History Record for Free

Criminal history records in Tennessee summarize a person's contact with law enforcement agencies and include details about arrests, convictions, sentences, dismissals, and parole violations. These records are publicly available and maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).

Records can be obtained from the TBI's Criminal Justice Information Service Division.
The cost for a criminal record from the TBI is typically $21.90, but fee waivers are possible if releasing the record serves the public interest.
Local police departments or sheriff's offices may offer free criminal record searches, though copy fees might apply.

Are Juvenile Criminal Records Publicly Available in Tennessee?

Juvenile criminal records in Tennessee contain information on the criminal antecedents of individuals below the legal adult age. These records are generally restricted from public access unless permitted by statute, particularly for serious offenses committed by juveniles aged 14 and older.

Juvenile records may be expunged if the individual meets the criteria outlined in Tennessee Code § 37-1-153, which includes being at least 18 years old and having no convictions for sexual offenses.

How To Find Sex Offenders in Tennessee

Sex offender records in Tennessee contain information about convicted sex offenders and are publicly available. These records are maintained on the state’s sex offender registry and continually updated by law enforcement. The registry can be accessed online to find information about registered sex offenders in Tennessee.

Are Police Records Public Information in Tennessee?

Yes, police records in Tennessee are public. These records include all documents maintained for the detection, investigation, prosecution, and prevention of criminal offenses. Police records contain:

Crime/incident reports
Accident reports
Arrest logs
Audio/video recordings
Warrants
Investigation reports
Officer-involved shooting reports
Crime statistics
Training records

Some records are statutorily exempt from public viewing. Police records can be requested from the respective police departments.

Tennessee Misdemeanor Laws: Types of Offenses and Punishments

Misdemeanors in Tennessee are lesser offenses compared to felonies and are punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days of imprisonment and fines up to $2,500. They are classified into three levels:

Class A Misdemeanors: Up to 11.5 months in jail and fines up to $2,500 (e.g., domestic assault, possession of marijuana).
Class B Misdemeanors: Up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $500 (e.g., reckless driving, prostitution).
Class C Misdemeanors: Up to 1 month in jail and fines up to $50 (e.g., speeding, petty theft).

Tennessee Criminal Laws: Offenses and Penalties Explained

Felony offenses in Tennessee are serious crimes with severe punishments. They are classified into five classes:

Class A Felonies: 15-60 years in prison and fines up to $50,000.
Class B Felonies: 8-30 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.
Class C Felonies: 3-15 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
Class D Felonies: 2-12 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
Class E Felonies: 1-6 years in prison and fines up to $3,000.

Penalties such as death and life imprisonment are reserved for capital offenses like first-degree murder.

Overview of Tennessee DUI Laws

Driving under the influence (DUI) in Tennessee is a serious offense. A DUI conviction carries mandatory penalties, including a minimum of 48 hours in jail, up to 12 months of imprisonment, license suspension, and potential installation of an alcohol ignition interlock device. The conviction remains on the individual's driving record for life.

Are Tennessee Probation Records Public?

Probation records in Tennessee contain information on sentences pronounced by a court following a criminal conviction. These records are publicly available and include details about the probationer's terms and conditions, supervision by a probation officer, and compliance requirements. Probation records can be accessed as part of the individual's criminal records.

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