Search Knox Court Records

KnoxCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on KnoxCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

  1. Knox County Court
  2. Knox County Arrest Records

Knox County, Tennessee Arrest Records

In Knox County, peace officers make arrests once there is reasonable cause to believe that a crime is being committed. An arrest record in Knox County is an official document created by law enforcement agencies following an arrest, typically containing information about the arrestee, the reason for the arrest, and other booking details. These records provide the public with essential information needed to track the outcome of an arrest, probe the county's criminal justice system, and follow up with filed criminal cases.

Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), arrest records are generally considered public records and citizens of the county may request them from the relevant custodians within regular hours. The County and Municipal police departments within Knox County maintain arrest records within county limits. Interested persons may query the Knox County Sheriff's Office or the Knoxville Police Department for access to arrest records and information.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in  Knox County, Tennessee?

Yes, arrest records in Knox County are considered public information pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act(TPRA) contained in Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503. In addition, the Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 34 governs public access to criminal court records and case information. 

While arrest records are generally open to the public, certain conditions may be required to access such records. For instance, access to public records under the TPRA applies to only residents of the County hence requestors may be required to provide a government-issued ID showing the individual’s address or other documents that can prove residency (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A)(vi)).

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

An arrest record in Knox County usually contains the following:

  • Personal Identifying Information—first/last name, alias, age, and physical description 
  • Booking Data—mugshots, booking number, arrest details, information about the detention facility or housing unit 
  • Offenses/Violations—type, class, and level of the criminal offense 
  • Case Identifiers—name of the arresting agency and arresting officer, warrant information, or case number.
  • Status and Disposition: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, the scheduled court date, and the specific court assigned to the case.

Although arrest records are open to the public, law enforcement agencies may redact or withhold certain arrest records and information. For instance, information protected by privacy laws (social security numbers, home addresses, and personal phone numbers) is usually redacted from public records. In addition, juvenile records protected under T.C.A. § 37-1-153, sealed or expunged records, confidential informant, victims, and witness information are exempt from public disclosure. Other exemptions and restrictions are outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504  and T.C.A. § 40-32-101.

Knox County, Tennessee Arrest Search

A Knox County arrest search is possible via state-owned repositories and federal databases. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) through its Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) allows members of the public to conduct name-based criminal history checks for a non-refundable fee of $29 per search. Interested persons may retrieve arrest information by entering a subject's name and date of birth. Arrest data for persons housed in state facilities may be retrieved free of charge via the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC)’s Felony Offender Information Lookout (FOIL) search tool. Inquirers may be required to provide a first name or last name to begin a search on the FOIL database.

The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system may be queried for arrest records and information related to federal arrests in Knox County. Concerned persons may also obtain arrest data by searching the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) Inmate Locator for publicly available arrest and inmate information.

Knox County Inmate Locator

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) 

maintains two online inmate locators that provide information regarding recent arrests and current inmates:

  • The 24 Hours In Custody Information Page —provides information about individuals brought into custody within the last 24 hours. This page is updated regularly and shows the inmate's name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and identification number.
  • Inmate Population List—a searchable database containing information about all inmates currently housed within the county's correctional facilities. Interested persons may search by first/last name, browse through the list, or click on an alphabet to retrieve inmate information.

Persons who wish to obtain additional information regarding the Sheriff's inmate locators or perform in-person searches may contact the Sheriff's Office using the following information:

Knox County Sheriff's Office 

Main Administration & Records

400 West Main Street

Level L-1

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: (865) 215-2243 (Records)

Active Warrant Search in Knox County

An arrest warrant in Knox County is a legal document issued by judges or magistrates to law enforcement authorizing an individual’s arrest. Knox County arrest warrants typically reveal the name of the suspect, a description of the alleged crimes, the issuing judicial official's name/signature, the county name, and an order mandating the subject's arrest (according to the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rule 4)). 

A judge or magistrate will only issue an arrest warrant after probable cause that the subject committed a crime has been established—probable cause is usually based on sworn testimony, substantial evidence, or a written affidavit provided by an officer.  Although the Knox County Sheriff’s Office's Criminal and Civil Warrants Unit handles the service and execution of issued arrest warrants, there is no provision for an official searchable repository for obtaining active warrant information.

To inquire about active arrest warrants in Knox County, members of the public may call the Criminal Warrants Unit at 865-215-2442 or visit the public window at the Sheriff's Office located on Level L-1 of the City/County Building with a valid ID or proof of residency. One may also find Knox County arrest warrant information by reviewing criminal court records and case files online via the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk Online Records portal.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Knox County

To obtain Knox County arrest records free of charge, interested citizens may visit the Public Records window at the Sheriff's Office or a local police department within official hours—valid identification or documents proving residency will be required. While inspecting records in person is typically free, requesting copies of arrest records may attract a nominal fee per page. 

Other alternatives for free access to Knox County arrest records include online search tools like the Sheriff's Office 24-Hours In Custody page or the Inmate Population Search portal. The Criminal Court Clerk’s online repository may also provide free access to publicly available arrest records and information. Redacted data, and older arrest records may not be available to the public through these free search portals. To obtain comprehensive arrest records, one may need to query the Sheriff's Office or the Criminal Court Clerk's office in person.

Knox County Arrest Report

An arrest report in Knox County is a formal narrative written by an arresting officer showing elaborate details of an arrest including the full name/contact information of the arrestee, victims, and witnesses, how the probable cause was established, a detailed explanation of events that led to the arrest, and other investigative information. 

Arrest reports created in Knox County are also referred to as Incident reports. These reports are different from arrest records which are summaries of arrest information. They are merely documents that log an individual's interactions with the county's law enforcement. Knox County arrest reports are generally open to the public (provided there is no active investigation) and may be obtained from the Sheriff's Office Records Unit in person or online via the Sheriff's website.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Knox County

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101, eligible persons may apply for the physical destruction of their records which results in the complete removal of the record from public view—this process is called expungement or expunction in Knox County. Persons with expunged Knox County arrest records may legally state that the arrest or conviction never occurred. To qualify for expungement, a record must meet the following requirements:

  • The arrest did not result in a conviction 
  • All filed charges were dismissed, no charges were filed or the case was nolle prosequi
  • The grand jury returned a no true bill or the defendant was acquitted 
  • The arrestee completed a judicial diversion or pre-trial diversion program
  • Charges were filed due to a mistaken identity 
  • The conviction was for non-violent misdemeanors and low-level felonies excluding sexual offenses, robbery, and aggravated assault 
  • The record subject has no more than two misdemeanor convictions  or one felony and one misdemeanor
  • The mandatory waiting period (5 years for misdemeanors or Class E felonies, and 10 years for certain Class C or D felonies) has elapsed
  • All restitution, court costs, fines, and probation fees ordered by the court have been paid

To file an application for expungement, interested persons must complete an Expunction of Conviction Packet and file it with the court handling the arrest charges. Upon filing the petition, the District Attorney's office reviews the petition and assists eligible defendants in filling out an Order of Expunction. Once an expungement is granted, the court sends copies to the relevant enforcement agencies for record removal and destruction. The defendant is also required to keep a certified copy of the Expunction Order as evidence of the expungement.

Further information regarding expungement eligibility or screening can be obtained by phoning the Assistant District Attorney at (865) 215-2515. In addition, information about expungement fees and payments can be confirmed by contacting the General Sessions Court Clerk at (865) 215-2375 or the Criminal Court Clerk at (865) 215-2492.

How Do You Remove Knox County Arrest Records From the Internet?

The first step in removing Knox County arrest records from the Internet is to apply for an expungement under state laws. Once an expungement order is issued by a court, official record custodians like the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and local clerks will be directed to erase the charges and information from public repositories. To remove arrest records and information featured in private websites not regulated by the government, one may submit a written request to the specific website requesting the removal of such records from public access.

Knox County Arrest Records Search | Knox County Court