Hamilton County Criminal Records
What Is Hamilton County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Hamilton County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies and serve as the authoritative source for background checks, legal proceedings, and public safety purposes.
Key distinctions exist among the various types of criminal records maintained in Hamilton County:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody, while a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest does not constitute a conviction under Tennessee law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses carrying potential sentences of more than one year in state prison; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties, typically up to 11 months and 29 days in a county jail.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public; juvenile adjudication records are sealed by default under Tennessee statutes and are not subject to routine public disclosure.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past charges, proceedings, and dispositions.
Records maintained in Hamilton County typically include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, pleas entered, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole conditions. The principal agencies responsible for maintaining these records are:
- Hamilton County Sheriff's Office – maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail rosters
- Hamilton County Criminal Court and Sessions Court – maintains case files, dockets, and court dispositions
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) – maintains the statewide criminal history repository
- Chattanooga Police Department and other local agencies – maintain incident and arrest reports
Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk 600 Market Street, Suite 101, Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 209-6700 Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk
Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, the state defines the scope of criminal history records and governs their maintenance, expungement, and public availability.
Are Criminal Records Public In Hamilton County
Criminal records in Hamilton County are presumptively public under Tennessee's open records framework. Pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are open for public inspection unless otherwise provided by law. This statute establishes that members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of public records during regular business hours.
The following categories of records are generally available to the public:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Court dockets and case filings in criminal proceedings
- Booking and arrest information maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sentencing records, including probation and parole conditions of record
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Ongoing investigations: Records compiled during active law enforcement investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would compromise the investigation.
- Sealed records: Cases that have been expunged or sealed by court order are not subject to public inspection under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101.
- Juvenile records: Adjudication records for individuals processed through the juvenile justice system are confidential under Tennessee law.
- Victim information: Certain identifying information for crime victims, particularly in sensitive cases, may be redacted prior to release.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records are entitled to a response within seven business days under current Tennessee law, and agencies may not require requestors to state a reason for their request.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Hamilton County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Hamilton County criminal records through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for accessing records through the primary custodial agencies:
Through the Criminal Court Clerk's Office:
- Visit the Criminal Court Clerk's office in person at 600 Market Street, Suite 101, Chattanooga, TN 37402, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
- Submit a written records request identifying the subject by full legal name and date of birth.
- Pay applicable copy fees, currently set at $0.15 per page for standard documents.
- Records may also be requested by mail; include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for estimated fees.
Through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation:
- Submit a criminal history request through the TBI's official portal for name-based or fingerprint-based searches.
- Fingerprint-based searches provide the most comprehensive and accurate results and are required for employment and licensing purposes.
- The fee for a name-based search is currently $29.00; fingerprint-based searches are $29.00 plus fingerprinting costs.
Through the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office:
- Contact the Records Division at (423) 209-7000 to request arrest records or booking information.
- Requests may be submitted in person or in writing.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 600 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 209-7000 Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216 (615) 744-4000 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
How To Find Criminal Records in Hamilton County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Hamilton County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit. Each portal contains distinct categories of information:
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts – Case Search: The Tennessee Court Case Search portal allows members of the public to search criminal court cases by name, case number, or party information. This portal contains case filings, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions for cases processed through Hamilton County Criminal Court and Sessions Court. No registration is required to conduct a basic search.
Hamilton County General Sessions Court Clerk: The Sessions Court Clerk maintains an online docket accessible through the county's official website. This portal reflects misdemeanor and preliminary felony hearing records.
Hamilton County Jail Roster: The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster online, listing individuals presently in custody along with booking charges and bond information. This roster is updated regularly and reflects active detainees only, not historical booking records.
TBI Sex Offender Registry: The Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the TBI, is publicly searchable online and contains registration information for individuals required to register under Tennessee law.
Online portals generally reflect court-level data and current custody status. Detailed arrest reports, investigative documents, and sealed or expunged records are not available through online systems and require an in-person or written request to the appropriate custodial agency.
Hamilton County General Sessions Court Clerk 600 Market Street, Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 209-6600 Hamilton County General Sessions Court Clerk
Can You Search Hamilton County Criminal Records for Free?
Tennessee law currently mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, inspection of public records must be permitted without the imposition of a fee; charges may only be assessed for the actual cost of reproducing copies.
The following resources are available at no cost:
- Tennessee Court Case Search portal – free name-based searches of court case records, including criminal cases in Hamilton County
- Hamilton County Jail Roster – free online access to current inmate information via the Sheriff's Office website
- TBI Sex Offender Registry – free public search of registered sex offenders statewide
- In-person inspection at the Criminal Court Clerk's office – members of the public may review records on-site at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested
Fees are assessed for the following services:
- Certified copies of court documents
- Name-based criminal history searches through the TBI ($29.00)
- Fingerprint-based background checks through the TBI ($29.00 plus fingerprinting costs)
- Copies of records at $0.15 per page at the Clerk's office
What's Included in a Hamilton County Criminal Record?
A comprehensive criminal record maintained in Hamilton County contains multiple categories of information drawn from law enforcement, court, and correctional sources.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot photograph taken at booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) assigned by the TBI
- FBI Number assigned for federal tracking purposes
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Chattanooga PD, or other local agency)
- Booking number and jail facility
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set and conditions
Court Case Information:
- Case number and assigned court or jurisdiction
- Filing date and case type (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
- Specific charges and applicable Tennessee statutes
- Felony or misdemeanor classification (Class A through E felony; Class A, B, or C misdemeanor)
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere)
- Attorney of record and representation status
Disposition:
- Verdict or case outcome (conviction, acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date and sentencing details
- Type and length of sentence (incarceration, probation, community service, fines, restitution)
- Conditions of probation or parole
- Appeals filed and outcomes
Additional Record Elements:
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders of record
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI convictions and related license actions
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges awaiting disposition
How Long Does Hamilton County Keep Criminal Records?
Hamilton County retains criminal records in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Commission's official retention schedules and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and custodial agency.
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony conviction records | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor conviction records | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | 10 years (subject to expungement eligibility) |
| Dismissed or acquitted case files | Eligible for expungement; otherwise retained per schedule |
| Juvenile adjudication records | Sealed; destroyed upon petition or at age 23 |
| Jail booking records | Minimum 5 years |
| Court dockets and case indexes | Permanent |
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101, individuals whose charges were dismissed, retired, or resulted in acquittal may petition for expungement, which results in the removal of the record from public access. Certain conviction records are also eligible for expungement following completion of sentence under qualifying conditions established by the Tennessee legislature.
The Tennessee Public Records Commission publishes the official General Records Retention Schedule applicable to county agencies, which governs the minimum retention periods for all categories of public records maintained by Hamilton County offices.
Tennessee Public Records Commission / Tennessee State Library and Archives 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 741-2764 Tennessee State Library and Archives
Lookup Criminal Records in Hamilton County
Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Records
Tennessee Sex Offender Registry