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Chattanooga Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Chattanooga, Tennessee?

Arrest records are public documents in Chattanooga, Tennessee, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for inspection by any Tennessee citizen during regular business hours. The Tennessee Public Records Act operates under the principle that government transparency is essential for maintaining public trust and accountability in law enforcement operations.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which protects specific categories of information such as ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain personal identifying information. However, the general arrest information including the individual's name, charges, and booking details remain accessible to the public. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and Chattanooga Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state law.

How to Look Up Chattanooga Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Chattanooga. Members of the public may utilize any of the following methods to obtain this information:

Submit an open records request through the City of Chattanooga's official portal
Visit the Chattanooga Police Department Records Division in person at 3410 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Contact the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 600 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402, phone: 423-209-7000
Access the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office inmate database for current detention information
Submit a written request by mail to either law enforcement agency with specific information about the record being sought
Check the City Court Records for information about cases processed through the municipal court system

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(B), government agencies must respond to records requests within seven business days. Requestors may be required to present identification confirming Tennessee citizenship and pay applicable fees for document reproduction as authorized under T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i).

Contents of a Chattanooga Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Chattanooga law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records typically include:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed against the individual with corresponding Tennessee Code Annotated references
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (commonly known as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint classification data
Case or incident number assigned to the arrest
Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
Bond amount and status information
Court appearance dates and preliminary hearing information

The level of detail may vary depending on the nature of the arrest and the specific policies of the arresting agency. Records maintained by the Chattanooga Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff's Office adhere to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's standardized reporting requirements.

Accessing Arrest Records Through Law Enforcement Agencies

The primary custodians of arrest records in Chattanooga are the municipal police department and county sheriff's office. Each agency maintains specific procedures for public access to these documents.

The Chattanooga Police Department Records Division processes requests for arrest records and incident reports. Members of the public may request these documents in person at:

Chattanooga Police Department Records Division
3410 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Phone: 423-698-2525
Official Website

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors must complete a records request form and provide valid identification. Fees for document reproduction are assessed in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-503 and departmental policy.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records and provides public access through:

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Records Division
600 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: 423-209-7000
Official Website

Current inmate information is available through the Sheriff's Office online inmate database, which is updated regularly with booking information and custody status.

Judicial Records Related to Arrests

Following an arrest, judicial proceedings generate additional public records maintained by the court system. These records provide information about case progression, court appearances, and disposition.

The Chattanooga City Court handles violations of municipal ordinances and maintains records of these proceedings at:

Chattanooga City Court Clerk's Office
600 Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: 423-643-7500
Official Website

For more serious offenses, records are maintained by:

Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk
600 Market Street, Suite 100
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: 423-209-7500

Court records may be accessed in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) or through the court's online case management system. Pursuant to Rule 34 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, these records are presumptively open to public inspection unless sealed by judicial order.

Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, certain statutory and administrative restrictions limit access to specific information. The following limitations apply to arrest records in Chattanooga:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (under age 18) are confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153 unless the juvenile is transferred to adult court
Information about victims of certain offenses, particularly sexual crimes, may be redacted pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-504(q)
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(2)(A)
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth may be redacted from public copies
Records that have been expunged by court order are removed from public access
Information about confidential informants is protected from disclosure

Law enforcement agencies and court clerks are responsible for reviewing records prior to release to ensure compliance with these statutory protections. Requestors seeking records subject to these limitations may receive partially redacted documents or, in some cases, a denial of access with citation to the applicable exemption.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Chattanooga

Tennessee law provides mechanisms for the expungement (removal from public access) of certain arrest records. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101, individuals may petition for expungement when:

The arrest did not result in an indictment or presentment by a grand jury
Charges were dismissed by the court or prosecutor
A "no true bill" was returned by a grand jury
The individual was acquitted/found not guilty after trial
The case resulted in a diversion agreement that was successfully completed
The conviction was for certain eligible misdemeanors or Class E felonies after completion of all sentencing requirements and waiting periods

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court of jurisdiction. In Chattanooga, these petitions are processed through: