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Oak Ridge Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Oak Ridge, Tennessee?

Arrest records are public documents in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during regular business hours, unless specifically exempted by state law. The Tennessee Public Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by providing citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

Arrest records maintained by the Oak Ridge Police Department typically contain information about individuals who have been taken into custody, including the person's name, the nature of charges filed, and the date of arrest. Members of the public seeking access to these records must follow established procedures and may be required to pay reasonable fees for copies as permitted under T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i).

How to Look Up Oak Ridge Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Oak Ridge. The following options are available to citizens seeking this information:

In-Person Requests at Police Department: Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Oak Ridge Police Department Records Division during regular business hours. Requestors must complete a records request form and present valid identification.

Oak Ridge Police Department
200 South Tulane Avenue
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
(865) 425-3504
Oak Ridge Police Department

Anderson County Clerk's Office: For cases processed through the county court system, records may be available at the clerk's office.

Anderson County Clerk's Office
100 North Main Street
Clinton, TN 37716
(865) 457-6226

Oak Ridge City Court: For violations of city ordinances and related arrests, records may be accessed through the city court.

Oak Ridge City Court
100 Woodbury Lane (temporary address)
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
(865) 425-3536
City Court Information

Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests for police reports and arrest records by mail. Pursuant to department policy, there is a fee of 15 cents per page for accident and case reports, plus additional postage fees for mailed requests.
Online Public Records Portal: The City of Oak Ridge maintains an electronic records system for certain public documents. Users must register for an account and may be subject to usage fees in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i).

Contents of an Oak Ridge Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Oak Ridge Police Department and related agencies typically contain the following categories of information as required by Tennessee law and departmental procedures:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Enumeration of all charges filed, including citation of relevant Tennessee Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including the agency responsible for processing
Assigned case or docket number for court proceedings
Photographic image (mugshot) of the arrested individual
Fingerprint records collected during booking procedures
Bond information, including amount set and conditions of release
Detention location, if applicable
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which provides exemptions for confidential information such as social security numbers, juvenile records (unless transferred to adult court), and information related to ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Oak Ridge

Under Tennessee law, specifically T.C.A. § 40-32-101, eligible individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records maintained in Oak Ridge. Expungement is the legal process through which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The following criteria generally govern eligibility for expungement:

Cases resulting in dismissal of all charges
Arrests that did not result in indictment or presentment by a grand jury
Verdicts of not guilty rendered by judge or jury
Nolle prosequi dispositions (prosecutor's decision not to pursue charges)
Successful completion of pretrial or judicial diversion programs
Certain non-violent offenses after specified waiting periods

The expungement process requires the filing of a formal petition with the court of jurisdiction. For arrests processed through the Oak Ridge City Court, petitions must be filed with the court clerk. For felony arrests or cases handled through Anderson County courts, petitions must be filed with the Anderson County Criminal Court Clerk.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date. The District Attorney's Office receives notification of the petition and may contest the expungement if they believe the petitioner does not meet statutory requirements. If the court grants the expungement, an order is issued directing all relevant agencies to remove the record from public access.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)(15), a non-refundable fee of $280 is required for most expungement petitions, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners. Certain categories of expungements, such as those resulting from identity theft or mistaken identity, are processed without fee as provided in T.C.A. § 40-32-101(a)(1)(B).

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Oak Ridge, Tennessee law establishes several important restrictions on access and use of these records:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to T.C.A. § 37-1-153, records of juvenile arrests and proceedings are confidential and not available for public inspection except under specific court orders or statutory exceptions.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged under T.C.A. § 40-32-101 are removed from public access and treated as though the arrest never occurred.
Pending Investigations: Information related to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure under T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(2)(A).
Protected Personal Information: Certain personal identifiers such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information must be redacted before records are released to the public.
Commercial Use Restrictions: T.C.A. § 10-7-506 prohibits the use of arrest record information for commercial solicitation purposes. Violations constitute a Class C misdemeanor.

The Oak Ridge Police Department and other custodians of arrest records are required by law to implement appropriate safeguards to ensure compliance with these restrictions while still fulfilling their obligations under the Tennessee Public Records Act.