Arrest records in Haywood County, Tennessee are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, shall be available for inspection by any Tennessee citizen during regular business hours. The Tennessee Public Records Act serves as a mechanism for governmental transparency and accountability, ensuring that the actions of law enforcement agencies remain subject to public scrutiny.
The Haywood County Sheriff's Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Public access to arrest records supports the principle that criminal justice proceedings should remain transparent to the communities they serve. Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or when disclosure would compromise public safety as determined by relevant statutes.
Haywood County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Haywood County Sheriff's Department provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains electronic records of criminal proceedings that may be accessed remotely.
Online accessibility of arrest records is governed by T.C.A. § 10-7-512, which addresses electronic access to public information. The statute requires government entities to provide reasonable access to public records in electronic format when such records are maintained electronically. Users should note that:
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Haywood County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:
Visit the Haywood County Sheriff's Department in person: Haywood County Sheriff's Department 100 South Dupree Street Brownsville, TN 38012 (731) 772-6158 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Submit a request to the Haywood County Circuit Court Clerk: Haywood County Circuit Court Clerk Haywood County Justice Complex 100 South Dupree Street Brownsville, TN 38012 (731) 772-0122 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Tennessee Public Case History portal maintained by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts, which provides case information for courts throughout the state.
Submit a written request pursuant to Rule 4 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, which governs the issuance and recording of arrest warrants and related documents.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any additional identifying information. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), agencies must respond to records requests within seven business days.
Haywood County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Tennessee law and local protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:
In accordance with T.C.A. § 40-32-101, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, particularly in cases involving protected victims or confidential informants. Additionally, arrest records may be supplemented with subsequent court proceedings documented by the Haywood County Circuit Court.
Tennessee law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Haywood County when:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Haywood County Circuit Court. Upon verification of eligibility, the court may order all public records of the arrest expunged. The petition must be filed with:
Haywood County Circuit Court Haywood County Justice Complex 100 South Dupree Street Brownsville, TN 38012 (731) 772-0122
Expungement orders, when granted, direct all relevant agencies to remove records from their databases, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Haywood County Sheriff's Department, and any other agencies maintaining such records. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)(15), a non-refundable fee of $280 is required for most expungement petitions.