Knox Public Records /Knox County Court Records

Knox County Court Records

What Is Knox County Court Records

Knox County court records are official documents created and maintained by the judicial system within Knox County, Tennessee. These records document legal proceedings, judgments, and other official actions taken by the courts. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, court records are considered public documents that chronicle the administration of justice within the county.

Court records typically include:

Case filings and pleadings
Court orders and judgments
Hearing transcripts
Evidence presented in court
Docket information
Case dispositions

The maintenance and preservation of these records fall under the jurisdiction of various county offices, including the Knox County Clerk's Office and the respective court clerks for each division of the court system.

Knox County Clerk's Office 400 Main Street, Suite 229 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: (865) 215-2385 Knox County Clerk

Court records serve multiple purposes within the judicial system and broader community. They provide an official account of legal proceedings, ensure transparency in the judicial process, and serve as historical documentation of the county's legal history.

Are Court Records Public In Knox County

Court records in Knox County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including court records, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during regular business hours.

Members of the public may access most court records with certain exceptions:

Records sealed by court order
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Records containing confidential information as defined by state law
Records in cases involving domestic violence where protective measures have been ordered
Adoption proceedings
Mental health commitment proceedings

The Tennessee Supreme Court has established specific rules regarding public access to court records through Supreme Court Rule 34. This rule balances the public's right to access with privacy concerns and the efficient administration of justice.

Individuals seeking access to Knox County court records may visit the appropriate courthouse during regular business hours. The specific location depends on the type of case and court division:

Knox County Criminal Court Clerk 400 Main Street, Suite 223 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: (865) 215-2675 Knox County Courts

How To Find Court Records in Knox County in 2025

Locating court records in Knox County in 2025 involves several established methods that accommodate both in-person and remote access. The appropriate method depends on the type of record sought and its age.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit the clerk's office of the specific court where the case was filed:

Identify the appropriate court division (Criminal, Civil, Probate, etc.)
Visit the corresponding clerk's office during regular business hours (typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
Provide case information such as case number, party names, or filing date
Complete any required request forms
Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents

For remote access, Knox County offers several options:

Online case information through the Knox County Criminal Court Docket Search system
Written requests submitted by mail to the appropriate clerk's office
Email requests for certain non-confidential records

When requesting records, the following information is helpful:

Full names of parties involved
Case number (if known)
Approximate date of filing or court action
Type of case (civil, criminal, divorce, etc.)
Specific documents needed

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 8-21-401, fees apply for copies of court records. As of 2025, standard copy fees are $1.00 per page for regular copies and $5.00 per document for certified copies, though these fees are subject to change.

How To Look Up Court Records in Knox County Online?

Knox County provides several digital platforms for accessing court records online. These systems offer varying levels of information depending on the court division and case type.

The primary online resources for Knox County court records include:

Knox County Criminal Court Online Docket - This system allows users to search for criminal cases by defendant name, case number, or hearing date. The system provides basic case information, charges, and scheduled court dates. Knox County Criminal Court Docket Search
Tennessee State Court Case Information System - For appellate cases and certain circuit court matters, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a statewide system. Tennessee Supreme Court Public Case History
Knox County Register of Deeds Online Search - For property-related court records such as liens and judgments affecting real property. Knox County Register of Deeds

When using these online systems, users should note:

Not all court documents are available in full text online
Some records may only show case summaries or docket entries
Older records may not be digitized
Certain confidential or sealed records will not appear in online searches

For comprehensive access, particularly for older cases or complete case files, in-person visits to the appropriate clerk's office may still be necessary. Online systems primarily serve as case indexes rather than complete repositories of all court documents.

Can You Search Knox County Court Records for Free?

Knox County provides limited free access to court record information, though comprehensive searches and document retrieval typically involve fees. The availability of free services varies by court division and search method.

Free search options include:

Basic case information lookups through the Knox County Criminal Court Docket Search
In-person inspection of non-confidential court records at the appropriate clerk's office
Limited information available through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts website

Services that typically require payment include:

Copies of court documents (physical or electronic)
Certified copies of court records
Comprehensive background searches
Bulk data requests
Records requiring extensive research by clerk staff

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 8-21-401, the fee schedule for Knox County court records as of 2025 includes:

Standard copies: $1.00 per page
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
Record searches requiring staff assistance: $5.00 per name searched

Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as for indigent parties in pending litigation who file the appropriate affidavit of indigency pursuant to T.C.A. § 20-12-127.

What's Included in a Knox County Court Record?

Knox County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings from initiation through disposition. The specific contents vary by case type and court division, but generally include several standard components.

Typical elements of a complete court record include:

Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments)
Summonses and service of process documentation
Responsive pleadings (answers, motions to dismiss)
Court orders and judgments
Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
Evidence logs (not necessarily the evidence itself)
Financial records (filing fees, fines, court costs)
Case disposition information
Appeals documentation (if applicable)

For criminal cases, additional components may include:

Charging documents
Bail and bond information
Pre-trial motions and rulings
Sentencing information
Probation reports (may be confidential)

For civil cases, records typically also contain:

Settlement agreements (if filed with the court)
Jury verdicts
Judgment enforcement documents
Liens and satisfactions

Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public court records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers for minors.

How Long Does Knox County Keep Court Records?

Knox County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts and state law. Retention periods vary based on case type, disposition, and historical significance.

General retention guidelines include:

Felony criminal cases: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor criminal cases: 10 years after final disposition
Civil cases: 10 years after final judgment
Probate cases: Permanent retention
Juvenile cases: Until subject reaches age 25, with exceptions
Domestic relations cases: Permanent retention for divorce decrees; 10 years for other documents

Cases of historical significance or precedential value may be designated for permanent retention regardless of case type. The County Archives may preserve certain records beyond standard retention periods.

Physical records may be converted to electronic or microfilm format after specified periods. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-404, records converted to approved electronic formats have the same legal standing as original documents.

For records that have exceeded retention periods, researchers may need to contact:

Knox County Archives 6555 Cement Plant Road Knoxville, TN 37924 Phone: (865) 215-8800

Types of Courts In Knox County

Knox County's judicial system encompasses multiple court divisions, each with specific jurisdictions and functions within Tennessee's unified court system. These courts operate under the authority of the 6th Judicial District.

The primary courts operating in Knox County include:

Circuit Court - Handles civil matters including domestic relations, personal injury, contract disputes, and appeals from lower courts. Knox County has four Circuit Court divisions.
Chancery Court - Presides over equity matters including property disputes, business cases, and certain domestic relations matters.
Criminal Court - Adjudicates felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals from lower courts. Knox County has three Criminal Court divisions.
General Sessions Court - Handles preliminary matters in criminal cases, civil cases with limited monetary jurisdiction, and traffic violations. Knox County has five General Sessions divisions.
Juvenile Court - Exercises jurisdiction over cases involving minors, including delinquency, dependency and neglect, and child support matters.
Probate Court - Oversees estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes.

Each court maintains its own records through dedicated clerk offices, though some administrative functions may be consolidated. Court locations include:

Knox County City-County Building 400 Main Street Knoxville, TN 37902

Knox County Juvenile Court 3323 Division Street Knoxville, TN 37919 Phone: (865) 215-6400

What Types of Cases Do Knox County Courts Hear?

Knox County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters according to their respective jurisdictions as established by Tennessee law. The case types heard by each court are determined by statutory authority and local rules of practice.

Circuit Court cases include:

Divorce and family law matters
Civil lawsuits exceeding $25,000
Real property disputes
Appeals from General Sessions Court
Tort claims and personal injury cases
Contract disputes

Chancery Court handles:

Complex business litigation
Property disputes requiring equitable remedies
Trust administration
Certain domestic relations matters
Tax cases
Injunctive relief

Criminal Court adjudicates:

Felony prosecutions
Appeals of misdemeanor convictions from General Sessions
Post-conviction relief petitions
Expungement requests

General Sessions Court presides over:

Civil cases with claims up to $25,000
Landlord-tenant disputes
Preliminary hearings in felony cases
Misdemeanor trials
Traffic violations
Orders of protection

Juvenile Court exercises jurisdiction over:

Delinquency proceedings
Status offenses
Dependency and neglect cases
Child support enforcement
Paternity establishment

Probate Court oversees:

Estate administration
Will contests
Guardianships and conservatorships
Name changes
Mental health commitments

The local rules of practice for the 6th Judicial District provide specific procedural guidelines for each court division.

How To Find a Court Docket In Knox County

Court dockets in Knox County provide schedules of cases set for hearing or trial on specific dates. These dockets are public records that help individuals determine when and where court proceedings will occur.

Methods for accessing Knox County court dockets include:

Online Docket Search - The Knox County Criminal Court Docket Search provides access to criminal court schedules. Users can search by defendant name, case number, or hearing date.
In-Person Requests - Docket information is available at the respective clerk's offices during regular business hours:

Knox County Circuit Court Clerk 400 Main Street, Suite 223 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: (865) 215-2952

Knox County Criminal Court Clerk 400 Main Street, Suite 223 Knoxville, TN 37902 Phone: (865) 215-2675
Telephone Inquiries - Limited docket information may be provided by telephone for scheduled cases.
Court Bulletin Boards - Daily dockets are typically posted on bulletin boards near courtroom entrances.

For appellate cases, docket information is available through the Tennessee Supreme Court Public Case History system.

When searching for docket information, it is helpful to have:

Case number
Party names
Approximate hearing date
Court division

Pursuant to local court rules, dockets are generally finalized 24-48 hours before scheduled court dates, though emergency matters and last-minute changes may occur.

Which Courts in Knox County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Knox County's judicial system, certain courts do not maintain official verbatim records of proceedings. These "non-record" courts typically handle matters of limited jurisdiction and follow simplified procedures.

The primary non-record courts in Knox County include:

General Sessions Court - While General Sessions Court maintains case files and judgment records, it does not typically create verbatim transcripts of proceedings. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 16-15-301, appeals from General Sessions Court to Circuit Court are heard de novo (anew), rather than as reviews of an official record.
Municipal Courts - The City of Knoxville Municipal Court and other municipal courts within Knox County handle ordinance violations and certain traffic offenses. These courts maintain dockets and judgment records but not verbatim transcripts.

Key characteristics of non-record courts include:

No court reporter is present to create verbatim transcripts
Appeals are heard de novo in courts of record
Simplified procedures with less formal rules of evidence
Limited jurisdiction (typically minor offenses or smaller civil claims)
Expedited case processing

While these courts do not create verbatim records, they do maintain:

Case files with pleadings and motions
Judgment records
Financial records of fines and costs
Docket entries showing case events

For matters requiring an official record of proceedings, cases may be transferred to or refiled in courts of record such as Circuit Court or Criminal Court. Parties in non-record courts may arrange for private court reporting services if a verbatim record is desired, subject to judicial approval.

Lookup Court Records in Knox County

Knox County Clerk's Office

Knox County Courts information

Search Knox County criminal court dockets

Knox County property records

Tennessee Supreme Court case history search

Tennessee courts official website

Tennessee divorce forms

Tennessee court forms and publications

Local court rules for Knox County

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