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Martin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Martin, Tennessee?

Arrest records are public documents in Martin, 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 open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee during regular business hours. The Tennessee Public Records Act serves as the legal foundation for transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities within Martin and throughout the state.

The Martin Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records become public documents upon creation, though certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which outlines specific exemptions to public disclosure.

Citizens seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these documents are public, the process for obtaining them follows established protocols designed to maintain record integrity while facilitating public access in accordance with state law.

How to Look Up Martin Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Martin, Tennessee as of 2025. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following methods in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act:

In-Person Requests at the Martin Police Department: Citizens may submit requests directly at the department headquarters. Proper identification is required, and fees may apply for document reproduction.

Martin Police Department
101 University Street
Martin, TN 38237
(731) 587-5355
Martin Police Department Official Website

Weakley County Sheriff's Office: As the county-level law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests occurring within its jurisdiction, including Martin.

Weakley County Sheriff's Office
7951 Highway 22
Dresden, TN 38225
(731) 364-5454

Martin Municipal Court: The court maintains records related to arrests that have resulted in charges within the city's jurisdiction.

Martin Municipal Court
109 University Street
Martin, TN 38237
(731) 587-3126
Municipal Court Information

Online Public Access Portal: The Martin Police Department provides limited online access to certain public records through their official website. Users must register and may be subject to verification procedures.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Background Check System: For official background checks that include arrest records, the TBI maintains a statewide database accessible to authorized users and, in some cases, the general public.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
(615) 744-4000

Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the volume of requests and complexity of the search. Fees for record retrieval and reproduction are established in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i).

Contents of a Martin Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Martin Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction typically contain the following standardized information as required by Tennessee state law:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including citation of relevant Tennessee Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including unique booking identification number
Fingerprint classification data
Photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process
Property inventory documenting items in possession at time of arrest
Initial bail determination or bond amount, if applicable
Preliminary court appearance information

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-504, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license information
Medical information
Information pertaining to ongoing investigations
Information related to juvenile offenders (subject to additional restrictions under T.C.A. § 37-1-153)

The Martin Police Department maintains these records in both physical and digital formats, with retention schedules governed by the Records Disposition Authorization policies established by the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Martin

The expungement process in Martin follows Tennessee state law regarding the removal of arrest records from public access. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101, certain individuals may qualify to have their arrest records expunged under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Martin include:

Cases resulting in dismissal of all charges
Arrests that did not result in an indictment or presentment by a grand jury
Verdicts of not guilty rendered by judge or jury
Nolle prosequi (formal abandonment of prosecution)
Successful completion of pretrial diversion programs under T.C.A. § 40-15-105
Successful completion of judicial diversion programs under T.C.A. § 40-35-313
Certain non-violent, first-time offenses after completion of all sentencing requirements and waiting periods

The expungement process requires submission of a formal petition to the court of original jurisdiction. For arrests occurring in Martin, this petition is typically filed with the Weakley County Circuit Court.

Weakley County Circuit Court
116 West Main Street
Dresden, TN 38225
(731) 364-3455

Petitioners should be aware that the expungement process includes the following steps:

Filing of petition with required documentation
Payment of filing fees (may be waived for indigent petitioners)
Review by the District Attorney's Office
Judicial review and determination
Issuance of expungement order to all relevant agencies

Upon successful expungement, all public records of the arrest are removed from public access or destroyed in accordance with T.C.A. § 40-32-101(a)(1)(A). However, certain non-public records may be maintained by law enforcement agencies for internal use only.

The Martin Municipal Court can provide guidance on the initial steps of the expungement process for cases that originated within city jurisdiction.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Access to arrest records in Martin is subject to certain legal restrictions established under Tennessee state law. While the Tennessee Public Records Act creates a presumption of openness, several statutory exemptions apply:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations are exempt from disclosure until the investigation is closed, pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(2)(A)
Juvenile arrest records are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under T.C.A. § 37-1-153
Records containing identifying information of victims of certain offenses, particularly sexual offenses, may be redacted before public disclosure
Information that would compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel may be withheld
Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection

The Martin Police Department is responsible for ensuring compliance with these restrictions while facilitating appropriate public access to arrest records. Individuals seeking access to restricted records may need to demonstrate a legitimate legal interest or obtain a court order.

Government agencies, including the City of Martin Human Resources Department, may have expanded access to arrest records for employment background checks for positions involving public safety or working with vulnerable populations, as authorized under T.C.A. § 38-6-109.