Arrest records in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee are classified as public documents pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible for inspection by Tennessee citizens unless specifically exempted by state law. The Tennessee Public Records Act serves as the legal foundation for transparency in governmental operations, enabling residents to monitor law enforcement activities within their jurisdiction. Public access to these records supports community awareness and governmental accountability while providing citizens with information regarding criminal justice proceedings in their locality.
The Soddy-Daisy Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Records may be subject to certain redactions to protect sensitive information as permitted under T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which outlines specific exemptions for confidential information such as ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain personal identifying information.
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Soddy-Daisy. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following resources:
Submit a records request in person at the Soddy-Daisy Police Department, located at 9835 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (423) 332-3577.
File a request with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 600 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. This office operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (423) 209-7000.
Access the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk's Office at 600 Market Street, Suite G10, Chattanooga, TN 37402. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (423) 209-7500.
Utilize the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Criminal History Information request system. Requests may be submitted online through the TBI website or by mail to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216. Telephone: (615) 744-4000.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record retrieval, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), agencies must respond to records requests within seven business days. Fees for copies may apply in accordance with the agency's established fee schedule as permitted under T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i).
Standard arrest records maintained by Soddy-Daisy law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and subsequent processing. These records typically include the following components:
The comprehensiveness of information may vary based on the stage of the criminal justice process and the specific policies of the maintaining agency. Certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Tennessee law, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations as specified in T.C.A. § 10-7-504.
Arrest records serve multiple legitimate functions within the criminal justice system and broader society. Authorized uses of these records include:
Users of arrest record information must exercise due diligence to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws governing the permissible uses of criminal history information. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) imposes additional requirements on consumer reporting agencies that compile and disseminate arrest record information for employment, housing, or credit purposes.
While arrest records are generally accessible to the public, Tennessee law establishes certain restrictions on their disclosure. These limitations include:
Government agencies maintaining arrest records must balance the public's right to access information with privacy protections established by state and federal law. Requestors denied access to records may appeal such decisions through administrative channels or judicial review as provided in T.C.A. § 10-7-505.
Tennessee law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records under specified conditions. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101, individuals may petition for expungement when:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court of jurisdiction where the arrest or prosecution occurred. For Soddy-Daisy residents, this typically involves the Hamilton County Criminal Court located at 600 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402. The court filing fee for expungement petitions is established by statute, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, all public records of the arrest are removed from public access and the individual may legally respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain licensing boards and law enforcement agencies as specified in T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g).