>Washington County Arrest Records Online

Washington County, Tennessee Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County, Tennessee?

Arrest records in Washington County, Tennessee are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation mandates that government records, including arrest documentation, remain available for public inspection to ensure transparency in governmental operations. The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.

Members of the public may access these records during regular business hours at designated county facilities. 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. Custodians of public records in Washington County are required by law to promptly make available any public record for inspection, unless otherwise provided by state law.

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and ongoing investigation protocols as outlined in T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which provides exemptions for specific categories of information.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Washington County?

Washington County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county law enforcement agencies. The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website, facilitating public access to these documents without requiring in-person visits to government offices.

The online availability of these records is subject to the provisions outlined in the county's Open Records Policy, which establishes guidelines for digital record access. Digital records typically include recent arrests, inmate rosters, and basic booking information. The online system is updated regularly to ensure accuracy of information presented to the public.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-512, government entities maintaining public records in electronic format must ensure reasonable access to these records. Washington County complies with this requirement by providing searchable databases of arrest information through official channels.

Washington County Sheriff's Office
114 W. Jackson Boulevard
Jonesborough, TN 37658
Phone: 423-753-1701
Official Website

How to Look Up Washington County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Washington County. Citizens seeking this information may utilize any of the following official channels:

Visit the Washington County Sheriff's Office Records Division in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). Identification is required for all in-person requests.
Submit a formal written request to the Records Division by mail. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence.
Access the Washington County Detention Center's online inmate lookup system, which provides current information on individuals currently in custody.
Utilize public access terminals located in the Washington County Justice Center for self-service record searches.
Submit an Open Records Request through the county's official website, which requires completion of a standardized form pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503.

Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i) and may include charges for copies, certified documents, and staff research time for extensive requests. The current fee schedule is as follows:

Standard copies: $0.15 per page
Certified copies: $5.00 per document
Research fee: $15.00 per hour (applied only after the first hour)

Washington County Records Division
100 E. Main Street
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: 423-753-1644
Records Department

Contents of a Washington County Arrest Record

Washington County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following components as mandated by Tennessee state law:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s), including applicable Tennessee Code Annotated citations
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs taken from multiple angles
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Preliminary hearing dates and initial court appearances
Bail or bond information, including amount set and payment status
Detention facility assignment information for individuals remanded to custody

The Washington County Sheriff's Department maintains these records in accordance with T.C.A. § 8-8-201, which outlines the sheriff's duty to keep proper documentation of all persons committed to county jail. All male prisoners arrested in Washington County, including those apprehended within Johnson City or Jonesborough municipal limits, are processed and held at the Washington County Detention Center as noted in county court records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Washington County

Under Tennessee law, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Washington County. The expungement process effectively seals or destroys records of an arrest, making them unavailable through standard public records searches. Eligibility criteria for expungement in Washington County include:

Cases resulting in dismissal of charges
Arrests that did not result in indictment or presentment by a grand jury
Verdicts of not guilty rendered by judge or jury
Nolle prosequi dispositions (formal abandonment of prosecution)
Successful completion of diversion programs pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-35-313
Certain non-violent offenses after completion of all sentencing requirements and waiting periods

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Washington County Sessions Court. Petitioners must complete the standardized "Application for Expungement of Records" form and submit it along with the required filing fee of $280.00. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date to determine if the petitioner meets all statutory requirements for expungement.

If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies, including the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and court clerks to remove all public records related to the arrest. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)(15), certain non-public records may be maintained by law enforcement agencies for internal purposes even after expungement.

Washington County Sessions Court
108 W. Jackson Boulevard
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: 423-753-1602
Sessions Court Information

Search Arrest Records in Washington County

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