>Roane County Arrest Records Online

Roane County, Tennessee Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Roane County, Tennessee?

Arrest records are public in Roane County, Tennessee, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that all governmental records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee, unless specifically exempted by state law. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining transparency in governmental operations and ensuring accountability within law enforcement agencies operating in Roane County.

The Roane County Government Public Records Policy defines a public record as any document, paper, letter, map, book, photograph, microfilm, electronic data file, email, or other material made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of official business by any governmental entity. Under this definition, arrest records maintained by the Roane County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies are classified as public records.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records must submit their requests to the appropriate records custodian, as defined in T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(1). The custodian is legally obligated to promptly make the requested records available for inspection, unless otherwise provided by state law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Roane County?

Arrest records can be found online in Roane County through several official digital platforms. The Roane County Government has implemented electronic record-keeping systems that facilitate public access to various county records, including arrest information. These online resources are maintained in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-121, which authorizes government entities to maintain public records in electronic formats.

The digital availability of arrest records serves multiple public interests:

It provides convenient 24-hour access to public information without requiring physical visits to government offices
It reduces administrative burden on county staff who would otherwise process in-person record requests
It enhances transparency in the criminal justice system by making information readily accessible
It allows citizens to verify the accuracy of information pertaining to themselves or others

Users of online arrest record systems should note that certain information may be redacted in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which exempts specific categories of information from public disclosure to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations.

How to Look Up Roane County Arrest Records in 2025

Citizens seeking Roane County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as prescribed by the Tennessee Public Records Act. The following procedures have been established for obtaining these records:

Visit the Roane County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a formal records request:

Roane County Sheriff's Office
230 N. 3rd Street
Kingston, TN 37763
(865) 376-5582
Official Sheriff's Office Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Access the Roane County Circuit Court Clerk's Office for judicial records related to arrests:

Roane County Circuit Court Clerk
200 E. Race Street, Suite 11
Kingston, TN 37763
(865) 376-2320
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Utilize the county's online court records system, which provides digital access to case information for matters handled by Circuit and General Sessions Courts, including arrest-related proceedings.
Submit a written request to the Records Custodian, as defined in T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(1), specifying the records sought with reasonable particularity.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), records custodians must respond to requests within seven (7) business days. Requestors may be required to present government-issued photo identification to verify Tennessee citizenship status before records are released.

Contents of a Roane County Arrest Record

Roane County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Tennessee state law and local record-keeping protocols. These official documents typically include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Roane County Sheriff's Office, Kingston Police Department)
Enumeration of all criminal charges filed, including Tennessee Code Annotated citations
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Case or docket number assigned for court proceedings
Information regarding bail or bond determination, including amount set and payment status
Detention status indicating whether the individual was released or remains in custody

These records are maintained in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-702, which establishes requirements for the creation, management, and retention of public records. The information contained within arrest records serves both law enforcement purposes and the public's right to information about criminal justice activities within Roane County.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Roane County

The expungement process in Roane County provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101, individuals may petition for expungement if their case meets statutory eligibility requirements. The following criteria generally determine eligibility:

Charges were dismissed or nolle prosequi was entered
A no true bill was returned by a grand jury
The person was arrested but no charges were filed within the applicable statute of limitations
The individual was acquitted of all charges by a judge or jury
The conviction was for certain non-violent offenses and the prescribed waiting period has elapsed
The conviction was for certain eligible offenses and all terms of the sentence have been completed

To initiate the expungement process, eligible individuals must:

File a petition with the Roane County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated
Pay the required filing fee (currently $280, subject to change) unless granted indigent status
Provide verification that all court costs, restitution, and other financial obligations have been satisfied
Submit to any background checks required by the court

The petition is reviewed by the District Attorney General's Office, which may contest the expungement if the statutory requirements have not been met. If approved by the court, an Order of Expungement is issued directing all relevant agencies to remove the records from their databases and physical files.

Expunged records are not accessible through standard public records requests, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for law enforcement purposes as permitted under T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g).