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Waverly Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Waverly, Tennessee?

Arrest records are public documents in Waverly, Tennessee, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during regular business hours. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental purposes, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations, maintaining public oversight of governmental activities, and providing citizens with access to information regarding criminal proceedings within their community.

The Tennessee Public Records Act specifically states that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by state law. Arrest records fall within this category of public documents and are therefore accessible to the public, subject to certain exemptions that may apply in specific cases as outlined in T.C.A. § 10-7-504.

How to Look Up Waverly Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Waverly, Tennessee have several official channels through which this information may be obtained as of 2025. The following methods are available for accessing arrest record information:

Humphreys County Sheriff's Office: Citizens may request arrest records in person at the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office located at 112 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN 37185. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requests may also be submitted by telephone at (931) 296-2301.
Waverly Police Department: The Waverly Department of Public Safety maintains arrest records for incidents within city limits. Records may be requested at their headquarters located at 123 East Main Street, Waverly, TN 37185. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Inquiries may be directed to (931) 296-4300.
Humphreys County Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests may be accessed at the Humphreys County Circuit Court Clerk's Office located at 100 North Court Square, Room 202, Waverly, TN 37185. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For information, contact (931) 296-2558.
Online Public Access System: The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides limited online access to court records through their public portal. This system may be accessed 24 hours per day, though it may not contain complete arrest information.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), records custodians must promptly make requested records available for inspection during regular business hours. A reasonable charge may be assessed for copies of public records according to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i).

Contents of a Waverly Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Waverly, Tennessee typically contain the following information as required by state record-keeping regulations:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest with corresponding Tennessee Code Annotated references
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
Bail or bond amount set by the judicial authority
Court appearance dates and hearing information
Disposition of the case (if available in the same record)

It should be noted that pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-504, certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure, including Social Security numbers, personal health information, and information related to ongoing investigations that might compromise law enforcement activities.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Waverly, Tennessee, several legal restrictions limit access to certain information contained within these records. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

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 specific circumstances authorized by the court.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101 are removed from public access and treated as though the arrest never occurred.
Ongoing Investigations: Information within arrest records that might compromise an active investigation may be temporarily withheld under T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(2)(A).
Victim Information: Personal identifying information of victims, particularly in cases involving sexual offenses, domestic violence, or human trafficking, may be redacted prior to public disclosure.
Confidential Informants: Information that could identify confidential informants is protected from disclosure under state law.

The Humphreys County Circuit Court at 100 N Court Square, Waverly, TN 37185 is the judicial authority that oversees the enforcement of these restrictions. Questions regarding the applicability of these restrictions may be directed to the court clerk at (931) 296-2558.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Waverly

The expungement process in Waverly allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as authorized by Tennessee law. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records when:

Charges were dismissed
A no true bill was returned by a grand jury
A verdict of not guilty was rendered
The case was nolle prosequi by the district attorney
The individual successfully completed a pretrial diversion program
The individual successfully completed a judicial diversion program

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Humphreys County Circuit Court located at 100 N Court Square, Waverly, TN 37185. The petition must include specific information about the arrest and case disposition. Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to remove the record from their databases and files.

Effective January 1, 2023, Tennessee law expanded eligibility for expungement under certain circumstances. The filing fee for expungement petitions is established by state law and may be subject to change. Current fee information may be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at (931) 296-2558.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records in Waverly may be utilized for background check purposes subject to compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The following regulations govern the use of arrest records for background screening:

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Federal law restricts how consumer reporting agencies may report arrest records. Generally, arrests that did not result in conviction may not be reported after seven years.
Tennessee Human Rights Act: State law prohibits employers from making adverse employment decisions based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction.
City of Waverly Municipal Code § 2-114: Local ordinances may provide additional protections regarding the use of arrest information in employment and housing decisions.

Employers, landlords, and other entities conducting background checks using Waverly arrest records must ensure compliance with these regulations. The Waverly Department of Public Safety provides guidance on proper use of criminal history information for background check purposes.

Differences Between Arrest Records and Criminal History Reports

Arrest records and comprehensive criminal history reports represent distinct categories of documentation within the criminal justice system in Waverly. The primary distinctions are as follows:

Scope of Information: Arrest records document a specific incident of apprehension by law enforcement, while criminal history reports compile all documented interactions with the criminal justice system.
Maintaining Agency: Individual arrest records are maintained by the arresting agency, such as the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office or Waverly Police Department. Comprehensive criminal history reports are maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Access Requirements: Local arrest records may be obtained directly from the arresting agency, whereas official criminal history reports require fingerprint submission and payment of statutory fees to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Verification Standards: Arrest records document allegations at the time of arrest, while criminal history reports contain verified court dispositions and outcomes of cases.
Usage Limitations: Pursuant to T.C.A. § 38-6-120, official criminal history reports may be used for employment and licensing purposes, while local arrest records may have more restricted permissible uses.

For official criminal history information, individuals may contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Records Unit, at 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216, or by telephone at (615) 744-4000.