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Nashville Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Nashville, Tennessee?

Arrest records are public in Nashville, Tennessee, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that all government records, including arrest records, are presumed open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by state law. The Tennessee Public Records Act serves as the legal foundation for transparency in government operations, allowing citizens to access information about arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Davidson County.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established procedures that balance the public's right to information with privacy protections mandated by state and federal statutes. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it falls under specific exemptions outlined in T.C.A. § 10-7-504, such as information related to ongoing investigations or juvenile records.

How to Look Up Nashville Arrest Records in 2025

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize any of the following methods:

Submit requests in person at the Central Records Division located at 811 Anderson Lane, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37206. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telephone: (615) 862-7631.
File written requests via postal mail addressed to: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Central Records Division, P.O. Box 196399, Nashville, TN 37219-6399.
Access public terminals available at the Criminal Court Clerk's Office located at Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120, Nashville, TN 37201. Telephone: (615) 862-5601.
Utilize the online portal maintained by the Criminal Court Clerk for basic case information through their Search Case Information system.
Review the Daily Booking List published by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, which provides information about recent arrests.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), the custodian of records shall promptly make requested records available for inspection, unless otherwise provided by state law.

Contents of a Nashville Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody. These records typically include the following elements as required by Tennessee law and departmental policies:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s)
Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) citation for the violated statute(s)
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Unique booking identification number
Processing location and detention facility information
Photographic documentation (mugshot)
Biometric data including fingerprints
Demographic information: date of birth, gender, race, height, weight
Residential address at time of arrest
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Court appearance date and location
Case disposition status

The Police Data Dashboard provides statistical information about arrests and crime incidents, though individual arrest records must be requested through official channels. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-504, particularly in cases involving minors, sexual offenses, or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Nashville

The expungement process in Nashville allows for the removal of eligible arrest records from public access pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101. Individuals seeking expungement must meet specific statutory criteria and follow procedures established by the Davidson County Criminal Court.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in Nashville include:

Cases resulting in dismissal or nolle prosequi
Arrests that did not result in indictment or presentment
Verdicts of not guilty rendered by judge or jury
Convictions for certain non-violent misdemeanors after a waiting period of five years
Convictions for eligible Class E felonies after a waiting period of five years, provided all conditions of the sentence have been fulfilled
Diversion cases where all terms have been successfully completed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Criminal Court Clerk's Office located at Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120, Nashville, TN 37201. Telephone: (615) 862-5601. The Criminal Court Clerk provides the necessary forms and can answer procedural questions regarding the filing process.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date. The District Attorney's Office reviews all petitions and may contest the expungement if the petitioner fails to meet statutory requirements. If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to remove the record from public access, including the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)(15), individuals may be required to pay a filing fee unless the court determines the petitioner is indigent. The current fee structure is available from the Criminal Court Clerk's Office.

Legal Framework for Arrest Record Access

The accessibility of arrest records in Nashville is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The General Sessions Court of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office operate within this framework when processing record requests.

Key statutes and regulations include:

Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503): Establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are open for public inspection.
Criminal History Records Information Act (T.C.A. § 38-6-120): Regulates the dissemination of criminal history information by law enforcement agencies.
Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 16: Governs discovery in criminal cases, including access to arrest information.
Metropolitan Nashville Code of Ordinances § 2.36: Establishes local procedures for records management and public access.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has implemented administrative policies that comply with these legal requirements while protecting sensitive information. The Central Records Division serves as the primary custodian of arrest records and processes requests in accordance with departmental Policy 14.10 (Records Management).

Individuals whose rights have been violated regarding access to public records may seek judicial remedy pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-505, which provides for expedited hearings and the potential award of attorney fees if the court finds that the governmental entity willfully refused to disclose a public record.