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Johnson Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Johnson, Tennessee?

Arrest records are public documents in Johnson, Tennessee, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to Tennessee citizens for inspection during regular business hours. The Tennessee Public Records Act operates under the presumption that government records are open unless specifically exempted by state law.

Law enforcement agencies in Johnson City maintain arrest records as part of their official documentation. These records become public once an individual is formally arrested and processed through the criminal justice system. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental purposes, including:

Promoting transparency in the criminal justice system
Enabling community awareness of public safety matters
Facilitating research and statistical analysis of crime patterns
Supporting legitimate background verification processes

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under T.C.A. § 10-7-504, particularly for records involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders (under T.C.A. § 37-1-153), and cases that have been expunged by court order. Additionally, specific identifying information such as Social Security numbers may be redacted to protect individual privacy while maintaining the public nature of the arrest documentation.

How to Look Up Johnson Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Johnson, Tennessee. The Johnson City Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several methods for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Johnson City Police Department Records Division 601 East Main Street Johnson City, TN 37601 (423) 434-6160 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

County Court Records:

Washington County Criminal Court Clerk's Office 108 West Jackson Boulevard Jonesborough, TN 37659 (423) 788-1425 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Online Access Options:

The Johnson City Police Department provides limited online access to recent arrest information through their official portal
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains a searchable database for criminal history information (fees apply)
The Tennessee Courts system offers case lookup capabilities for matters that have proceeded to court

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(B), governmental entities must respond to public records requests within seven business days. Requestors may be required to present identification confirming Tennessee citizenship status, as the Public Records Act specifically grants access rights to state citizens.

Contents of a Johnson Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Johnson City law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and subsequent processing. These records typically include the following categories of information as mandated by Tennessee law enforcement protocols:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address (may be partially redacted in public versions)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Tennessee Code Annotated references
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (Johnson City Police, Washington County Sheriff, etc.)

Case Processing Information:

Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification data
Assigned case/docket numbers
Initial court appearance information
Bail or bond determination
Detention facility assignment if applicable

The Tennessee Felony Offender Information system may contain additional details for cases involving felony charges, including current custody status and sentence information for convicted individuals.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Johnson

Tennessee law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records, effectively removing them from public access. The expungement process in Johnson City operates under the authority of T.C.A. § 40-32-101, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Eligibility Criteria: Individuals may qualify for expungement in the following circumstances:

Charges were dismissed or nolle prosequi was entered
A no true bill was returned by a grand jury
A verdict of not guilty was rendered at trial
The arrest resulted in no charges being filed within the applicable statute of limitations
The individual successfully completed a pretrial or judicial diversion program
The conviction was for certain non-violent misdemeanors or Class E felonies after the prescribed waiting period

Application Process: The expungement procedure requires formal petition through the Washington County Criminal Court:

Petitioner must file an expungement petition with the court of original jurisdiction
A filing fee may be required (currently $280 for most cases)
The District Attorney's Office reviews the petition for eligibility
A hearing may be scheduled before a judge for contested matters

Effect of Expungement: Upon approval, an expungement order directs all governmental agencies to:

Remove all public records related to the arrest from publicly accessible databases
Return all photographs, fingerprints, and other identification data to the individual
Seal any remaining records from public inspection

The Johnson City Juvenile Court, located at 607 East Myrtle Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37601, (423) 434-6158, handles expungement matters for juvenile records under separate statutory provisions outlined in T.C.A. § 37-1-153.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Johnson, Tennessee, several statutory and regulatory restrictions limit access to certain categories of information. These limitations serve to balance public transparency with individual privacy rights and the integrity of the justice system.

Protected Categories:

Juvenile records are confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153, with access restricted to authorized parties
Records pertaining to victims of certain offenses, particularly domestic violence and sexual crimes, may have identifying information redacted
Mental health evaluations and treatment information contained within arrest files are protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws
Records sealed by court order following expungement or diversion completion are removed from public access

Procedural Limitations:

Agencies may require written requests for certain categories of records
Reasonable fees may be assessed for record retrieval and copying pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i)
Records relating to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under T.C.A. § 10-7-504(2)(A)
Identification verification requirements may apply to certain sensitive records

The Johnson City government maintains policies governing records access that comply with these state-mandated restrictions while facilitating appropriate public access to non-restricted information.