Arrest records are public documents in Humphreys County, Tennessee, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The Tennessee Public Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities. Certain sensitive information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, particularly in cases involving minors or ongoing investigations as specified under T.C.A. § 10-7-504.
Humphreys County arrest records are not currently available through an online public portal. While many jurisdictions across Tennessee have implemented digital access systems for public records, Humphreys County maintains traditional in-person access methods for arrest documentation. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides online access to case histories for higher courts, but local arrest records must be obtained through direct contact with county agencies. This policy aligns with Rule 4 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure regarding the documentation and maintenance of arrest warrants and related records.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Humphreys County have several official channels through which these documents may be obtained:
Humphreys County Sheriff's Office
102 Thompson Street
Waverly, TN 37185
(931) 296-2301
Official Website
Humphreys County Circuit Court Clerk
100 North Court Square
Waverly, TN 37185
(931) 296-2095
Official Website
Written Request Submission: Individuals may submit written requests for arrest records to either the Sheriff's Office or Court Clerk. Requests must include the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(B), agencies must respond to records requests within seven business days.
Records Request Form: Standard forms for requesting public records are available at both the Sheriff's Office and the Court Clerk's Office. These forms must be completed with specific information about the requested records and the requestor's contact information.
Arrest records maintained by Humphreys County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as mandated by Tennessee state law:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws, particularly in cases involving juveniles or sensitive investigations.
The maintenance and accessibility of arrest records in Humphreys County operate within a specific legal framework established by Tennessee state law:
Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503): This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
Criminal History Records Information Act (T.C.A. § 38-6-120): This legislation governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history information by law enforcement agencies throughout Tennessee.
Rule 4 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure: This procedural rule establishes requirements for the issuance and recording of arrest warrants and summonses, mandating that "the general sessions court clerk shall promptly record in a docket book the issuance of every warrant and summons in the county."
Privacy Protections (T.C.A. § 10-7-504): This section outlines specific categories of information that are exempt from public disclosure, including certain personal identifying information and records related to ongoing investigations.
Law enforcement agencies in Humphreys County are required to maintain arrest records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Humphreys County under specific circumstances as provided by Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The Humphreys County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over expungement proceedings.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Humphreys County include:
The expungement process requires:
Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to remove the specified records from public access. Expunged records are not disclosed in background checks conducted by most employers or housing providers, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for specific purposes as permitted by law.
Not all arrest records in Humphreys County are accessible to the general public. Tennessee law establishes several categories of protected 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 limited circumstances.
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order following expungement proceedings are removed from public access.
Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure under T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(2).
Diversion Program Participants: Records of individuals who have successfully completed pre-trial or judicial diversion programs may be eligible for expungement and thus removed from public access.
Victims of Certain Crimes: Information identifying victims of certain offenses, particularly sexual offenses, is protected from disclosure under T.C.A. § 10-7-504(q).
Law enforcement agencies and court clerks in Humphreys County are required to review records prior to release to ensure compliance with these statutory protections.