>Meigs County Arrest Records Online

Meigs County, Tennessee Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Meigs County, Tennessee?

Arrest records in Meigs County, Tennessee are considered public information and are accessible to members of the general public. These records fall under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503), which establishes that government records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during regular business hours. The statute specifically provides that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by state law. Law enforcement agencies in Meigs County maintain these records as part of their official duties and responsibilities to document arrests and related proceedings.

Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504, certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted, particularly when it involves ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or contains personally identifying information that is protected by state or federal law. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serves as the central repository for criminal history information throughout the state, including arrest data from Meigs County law enforcement agencies.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally available, specific protocols and procedures must be followed to obtain them. Requestors may be required to submit formal applications and pay applicable fees as established by state law and local ordinances.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Meigs County?

Meigs County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by local and state government entities. The Meigs County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that includes current inmate information and recent arrest data. This information is updated regularly to reflect the most current status of individuals within the county's criminal justice system.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation offers the Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) through which members of the public may access criminal history information, including arrest records, for a statutory fee as prescribed in T.C.A. § 38-6-120. The system provides varying levels of access depending on the purpose of the inquiry and the credentials of the requestor.

Third-party aggregator websites also compile and display arrest information from Meigs County. However, pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-512, these commercial entities must ensure that published information is accurate and updated regularly. Users of such services should be aware that these platforms may not always contain the most current information and should verify data through official government sources when necessary.

Online access to these records is subject to the same statutory exemptions and restrictions that apply to physical records. Information related to ongoing investigations, certain victim information, and data concerning juvenile offenders may be restricted from online platforms in accordance with state law.

How to Look Up Meigs County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking to obtain arrest records in Meigs County in 2025 have multiple methods available through official channels. The primary methods for accessing these records include:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Meigs County Sheriff's Office located at 541 River Road, Decatur, TN 37322. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring valid government-issued identification and be prepared to complete a records request form.
Written requests can be submitted to the Meigs County Records Custodian at P.O. Box 156, Decatur, TN 37322. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), the custodian has seven business days to respond to records requests.
The Meigs County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. These records may be accessed at the Meigs County Courthouse, 17214 State Highway 58 North, Decatur, TN 37322, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM).
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides statewide criminal history information through their Criminal History Request System. Requests can be submitted online or by mail to TBI Headquarters, 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216.

Fees for record retrieval are established pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i) and may vary based on the format and extent of the records requested. Standard fees include $0.15 per page for paper copies and actual costs for electronic media. Additional fees may apply for certified copies or extensive searches.

Requestors should note that processing times vary depending on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload. Priority processing may be available for certain requests as determined by agency policy.

Contents of a Meigs County Arrest Record

Meigs County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Tennessee state law and local protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, and the names and badge numbers of the arresting officers.
Criminal charges filed against the individual, including the Tennessee Code Annotated citation for each offense, classification (misdemeanor or felony), and a brief description of the alleged criminal activity.
Case processing information, such as booking number, inmate identification number, court docket number, and scheduled court appearances.
Bail or bond information, including the amount set, whether it was posted, and conditions of release if applicable.
Disposition information that indicates the current status of the case within the criminal justice system.
Photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process, showing front and profile views of the arrested individual.
Fingerprint data collected at the time of booking, which is subsequently submitted to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for identification verification and criminal history updating.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-504, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to victims of certain offenses.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Meigs County

The expungement process in Meigs County provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to remove arrest records from public access. Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101 establishes the statutory framework for expungement eligibility and procedures. Individuals may qualify for expungement under various circumstances, including:

Cases resulting in dismissal or nolle prosequi
Arrests that did not result in indictment or presentment
Verdicts of not guilty returned by a jury
Successful completion of diversion programs
Certain non-violent offenses after completion of sentence and a waiting period

The expungement process begins with the filing of a petition in the court where the case was adjudicated. For Meigs County cases, petitions are filed with the Meigs County Circuit Court Clerk at 17214 State Highway 58 North, Decatur, TN 37322. The petition must include certified copies of relevant court documents and payment of the statutory filing fee, currently set at $280 pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)(10).

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court clerk forwards copies to the District Attorney General for the 9th Judicial District, who has 60 days to file any objections. If no objections are filed, or if the court overrules any objections after a hearing, the court may issue an order of expungement.

When an expungement order is granted, all public records relating to the arrest, indictment, trial, and conviction are removed from public access. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Meigs County Sheriff's Office, and other agencies maintaining such records are required to remove the information from their publicly accessible databases and physical files.

Individuals should note that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings under certain circumstances as provided in T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)(12).