Tennessee Criminal Records

In Tennessee, a criminal record typically encompasses an individual's criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions, court decisions, and sentences. Law enforcement agencies and the Tennessee judicial system compile these records based on the individual's interactions with them.

Tennessee criminal records effectively allow law enforcement and the judicial system to monitor offenders. Members of the public can obtain valuable insights about a person by conducting a background check, which includes examining their criminal record. Criminal records also serve as valuable resources for researchers, students, and law enforcement trainees.

Are Criminal Records Public in Tennessee?

Absolutely. According to the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), all public records must be made accessible to interested persons. However, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), selected criminal record information is exempt from public disclosure. Exempt records include those pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and sealed or expunged records. For example, the criminal records of potential directors, chief executive officers, and employees of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) are not open to the general public.

Tennessee Crime Records by County

Tennessee crime records are quantitative documentation and data analysis of details related to crime activities within a particular jurisdiction over a specific timeframe. These data would include the nature of crime, geographical distributions, trends, frequency, and resolution rates.

Crime records in Tennessee are accessible to interested members of the public at both state and local levels.

• The state offers online Crime Stats compiled using the Tennessee Incident-Based Reporting System (TIBRS) program for its residents to review. It encompasses crime records from all law enforcement agencies in the state. This statistical information helpful in evaluating the crimes and incidents (occurrences and resolve) reported by all involved agencies. Furthermore, TIBRS publishes an annual report after each fiscal year.
• Individuals seeking information can contact their local Sheriff's Office or Police Department to request access to crime records or conveniently retrieve records remotely. For instance, the Nashville Davidson County government publishes annual Crime Statistics on its website. In Memphis and Shelby, the approach differs slightly, as the Sheriff's office doesn't directly handle the issue but collaborates with the Crime Commission, an independent NGO, to publish crime statistics for both counties.

Tennessee Criminal Record Check

Interested persons may perform a criminal record check in Tennessee as part of a background check or a straightforward review.

Members of the public may request these records from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Requesters will be charged a $29 fee for this service and will be allowed to complete the process online or via mail.

Concurrently, the Department and the FBI offer a fingerprint-based search through an approved vendor. However, this search is restricted to authorized entities. Persons qualifying to forward an application can visit either web page to begin the process. The charge would depend on the individual or agency requesting a copy.

Researchers can also find criminal records on some county court websites. One such county is Davidson County, which provides a database where inquirers can search for criminal records at no cost. Records can be obtained online, via mail, or in person.

Find Criminal Records Online in Tennessee

There are limited options for finding criminal records online in Tennessee:

The TBI receives record requests online. However, the records themselves are not available online. At the county level, inquirers may find criminal records on the court websites, the Department of Police, or the Sheriff's office if they were directly involved in the apprehension and prosecution of the subject.

Free Criminal Record Search in Tennessee

While there is no free state-wide criminal record search in Tennessee, most counties provide free criminal record searches. Customarily, reviewing criminal records at the Office of the Sheriff, Police Department, or courthouse in Tennessee is free, as is conducting with any of their record databases. However, inquirers requiring a copy of the record will be charged a fee to cover duplication costs.

On the other hand, inquirers may consider searching via third-party or private record repositories. These sites allow inquirers to conduct basic searches using the first and last names of the subject, although the available information may be limited. Comprehensive, in-depth searches may necessitate the user to pay a fee.

What Does it Mean if You Have a Criminal Record in Tennessee?

When an individual has a Tennessee criminal record, it indicates that the individual has previously committed a crime for which they were either found guilty or pleaded guilty. The following are some of the implications of having a criminal history:

• Former offenders may experience a sense of alienation from society. In addition to the psychological impact of serving time, the acquired criminal record may complicate various endeavors, such as renting a house, pursuing further education, filing for child custody, or applying for a weapons license.
• Individuals with criminal records may encounter specific restrictions and loss of privileges. For example, depending on the severity of the committed crime, reaching certain career advancements in particular fields may be unlikely. Additionally, the right to vote is withdrawn.

To ease the burden of bearing a criminal record, Tennessee laws provide for the expunction or sealing of records if the record holder is eligible.

Does Your Criminal Record Clear After 7 Years in Tennessee?

No, it is improbable for a criminal record to clear after 7 years in Tennessee. Unless expunged, they are permanent, and eligibility for expungement typically requires 10 years of good behavior for certain crimes following release. In any case, criminal records do not automatically clear after 7 years.

Arrest Record Vs Criminal Record

An arrest record constitutes only a portion of a criminal record in Tennessee. They are maintained at the county level, within the Department of Police or Sheriff's office. Conversely, criminal records are maintained by the TBI.

Arrest records are created following an arrest, regardless of the suspect's guilt, and may persist even if the individuals are later found not guilty and released. In contrast, only individuals who are convicted have criminal records. The criminal record encompasses additional information not found in an arrest record, such as court hearings and the verdict.

Furthermore, the significance of having a criminal record weighs more than simply having an arrest record.

Tennessee Police Records

After any crime-related activity or incident in Tennessee, police reports are generated. These records encompass a variety of documents, including crash reports, citations, 911 recordings, warrants, arrest records, and offense reports.

In Tennessee, police records are typically considered public records subject to exceptions outlined in the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA). For instance, certain information, such as identifiable personal details and juvenile records, are treated as confidential and not typically available to the public.