Knox County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Knox County
Arrest records in Knox County, Tennessee are considered public records pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). Members of the public may access these records through various official channels maintained by Knox County law enforcement agencies. The Knox County Sheriff's Office maintains and provides access to arrest records as a service to the public for purposes of transparency, public safety, and community awareness.
Public access to arrest records is facilitated through:
- The Knox County Sheriff's Office online inmate database
- In-person requests at the Records Division
- Written requests submitted to the appropriate law enforcement agency
It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which protects specific categories of confidential information. Such protected information may include:
- Social security numbers
- Personal health information
- Information related to ongoing investigations
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Information that would compromise victim safety
Knox County Sheriff's Office 400 Main Street, Suite L165 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: (865) 215-2444 Knox County Sheriff's Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, specifically Rule 4, governs the issuance and recording of arrest warrants, which subsequently become part of the public record once executed, unless sealed by court order.
What's in Knox County Arrest Records
Knox County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained in accordance with T.C.A. § 8-8-201, which outlines the Sheriff's duty to maintain accurate records of all persons taken into custody.
Standard information contained in Knox County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Date and time of arrest
- Location where the arrest occurred
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint information
- Charges filed (including Tennessee Code citations)
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Case/docket number
- Bond information and status
- Court appearance dates
- Disposition of charges (if available)
The Knox County District Attorney General's Office may reference these records during prosecution proceedings. Arrest records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form part of an individual's criminal history in Knox County.
Knox County District Attorney General's Office 400 Main Street, Suite 168 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: (865) 215-2515 Knox County District Attorney's Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pursuant to Rule 4 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, the general sessions court clerk must promptly record in a docket book the issuance of every warrant and summons, which becomes part of the arrest record.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Knox County in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Knox County in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Knox County Sheriff's Office has established multiple methods for accessing arrest records in compliance with T.C.A. § 10-7-503.
Individuals may access arrest records through the following methods:
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Online Database: The Knox County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable inmate population database that provides information on current inmates and recent arrests.
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In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division at the Knox County Sheriff's Office to submit requests for arrest records. Photo identification is required, and applicable fees may apply.
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Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records Division. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
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Knoxville Police Department Records: For arrests made by the Knoxville Police Department within city limits, records may be requested through their Records Unit.
Knoxville Police Department Records Unit 1650 Huron Street Knoxville, TN 37917 Phone: (865) 215-7379 Knoxville Police Department Records Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Processing times may vary based on the volume of requests and complexity of the search.
How To Find Knox County Arrest Records Online
The Knox County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to arrest records through its official website as a public service. Online access to arrest information is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, allowing for convenient retrieval of public safety information.
To access Knox County arrest records online, members of the public may:
- Visit the Knox County Sheriff's Office website and navigate to the "24 Hour Arrests" section
- Access the Inmate Population database to search for current inmates and recent bookings
- Search by name, booking date, or other available parameters
- View basic arrest information, charges, and booking photos when available
For arrests made by the Knoxville Police Department within city limits, the Knoxville Police Department website provides information about obtaining records, though direct online access to arrest records may be limited.
The online systems are updated regularly in accordance with departmental policies, though there may be a brief delay between an arrest and when the information appears in the online database. Users should note that the online system may not contain complete historical records, and older arrest records may require a formal records request.
Can You Search Knox County Arrest Records for Free?
Knox County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic arrest record information in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act. The availability of free access supports public transparency in the criminal justice system while balancing administrative costs.
Free options for accessing Knox County arrest records include:
- The Knox County Sheriff's Office website provides free access to recent arrest information through its "24 Hour Arrests" feature
- The online inmate database allows free searches for current inmates and recent bookings
- Public access terminals may be available at the Sheriff's Office for on-site searches
However, citizens should be aware of potential fees for:
- Printed copies of arrest records (typically $0.15-$0.50 per page)
- Certified copies of official records
- Extensive record searches requiring significant staff time
- Complete criminal history reports
Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i), government agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. The Knox County Sheriff's Office and Knoxville Police Department establish fee schedules in accordance with state guidelines. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances as determined by the records custodian.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Knox County
The expungement of arrest records in Knox County follows procedures established under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101. Individuals seeking to have arrest records deleted must meet specific statutory criteria and follow the formal legal process.
Eligibility for expungement in Knox County generally requires one of the following conditions:
- Charges were dismissed
- A "not guilty" verdict was rendered
- The case resulted in a "no true bill" from the grand jury
- The arrest was made in error
- The individual completed a diversion program
- The conviction is for certain eligible offenses after completion of sentence and waiting period
The expungement process involves:
- Filing a petition for expungement with the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk
- Payment of applicable filing fees (approximately $280, though fee waivers may be available)
- Review by the District Attorney General's Office
- Judicial review and approval
- Distribution of the expungement order to relevant agencies
Knox County Criminal Court Clerk 400 Main Street, Suite 208 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: (865) 215-2385 Knox County Government Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
It is important to note that expungement in Tennessee is not automatic, even for eligible cases. The burden is on the individual to initiate the process through proper legal channels. Certain serious offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement under any circumstances.
What Happens After Arrest in Knox County?
Following an arrest in Knox County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Tennessee law and local procedures. This process includes several key stages from initial custody through case disposition.
The post-arrest procedure typically includes:
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Booking Process: Arrestees are transported to the Knox County Detention Facility where they undergo fingerprinting, photographing, and personal information collection. This information is entered into the Sheriff's Office database.
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Initial Appearance: Pursuant to Rule 5 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, arrestees must appear before a judicial officer within 48 hours for a determination of probable cause and bail consideration.
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Bail Determination: A magistrate or judge sets bail based on factors including charge severity, flight risk, and public safety considerations. Individuals may be released on their own recognizance, post bond, or remain in custody.
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Arraignment: Formal charges are presented, and defendants enter an initial plea. This typically occurs within 10 days of arrest for misdemeanors and 30 days for felonies.
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Case Progression: Cases proceed through preliminary hearings, grand jury review (for felonies), and either plea negotiations or trial preparation.
The Knox County District Attorney General's Office determines whether to pursue prosecution based on evidence and legal considerations. Throughout this process, arrest records are maintained and updated to reflect case status.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Knox County?
Arrest records in Knox County are maintained in accordance with Tennessee's records retention schedules and state law. These records are preserved for extended periods to support law enforcement operations, judicial proceedings, and public safety interests.
The retention periods for arrest records in Knox County include:
- Active Records: Complete arrest records for pending cases remain active until case disposition
- Post-Disposition Records: Following case completion, records are maintained for a minimum of 10 years
- Serious Felony Records: Records for violent felonies, sex offenses, and other serious crimes are permanently maintained
- Digital Records: Electronic arrest records entered into the Sheriff's database after 2000 are maintained indefinitely
- Juvenile Records: Subject to special confidentiality provisions under T.C.A. § 37-1-153
The Knox County Sheriff's Office and Knoxville Police Department maintain these records in both physical and digital formats. While expungement may remove records from public access, internal law enforcement archives may retain certain information for statistical and administrative purposes in accordance with T.C.A. § 40-32-101(a)(3).
Records retention practices are periodically reviewed to ensure compliance with state archival requirements and evolving legal standards regarding criminal history information.
How to Find Mugshots in Knox County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered public records in Knox County and are available through official channels. These photographs are taken during the booking process at the Knox County Detention Facility and become part of the arrest record.
Members of the public may access mugshots through:
- The Knox County Sheriff's Office online inmate database, which displays booking photos for current inmates and recent arrests
- Formal records requests submitted to the Records Division of the Knox County Sheriff's Office
- In-person requests at the Sheriff's Office Records Division with proper identification
When requesting mugshots, individuals should provide:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if available)
Knox County Sheriff's Office Records Division 400 Main Street, Suite L165 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: (865) 215-2444 Knox County Sheriff's Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
It should be noted that while mugshots are generally public records, access may be restricted for certain protected categories including juvenile arrests, cases under active investigation, or records that have been expunged pursuant to court order.
Lookup Arrest Records in Knox County
Knox County Sheriff's Office Inmate Database
Knoxville Police Department Records