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Franklin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin, Tennessee?

Arrest records are public in Franklin, 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 for inspection by Tennessee citizens during regular business hours. The Act serves to promote transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies and the judicial system by ensuring public access to arrest information. 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, unless otherwise provided by state law.

The Franklin Police Department and Williamson County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state regulations. Records may be subject to certain redactions to protect sensitive information such as ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or information that could compromise public safety if disclosed.

How to Look Up Franklin Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Franklin arrest records have multiple official channels through which they may obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records in Franklin, Tennessee:

In-person requests at the Franklin Police Department located at 900 Columbia Avenue, Franklin, TN 37064. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (615) 794-2513.
Direct inquiries to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office at 408 Century Court, Franklin, TN 37064. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (615) 790-5560.
Submission of public records requests through the Williamson County government portal, which provides specific instructions for obtaining law enforcement records.
Visitation to the Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 135 4th Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (615) 790-5454.
Utilization of public access terminals available at the Williamson County Public Library, 1314 Columbia Avenue, Franklin, TN 37064. Library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; Sunday, 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
Written requests via certified mail addressed to the Records Division of either the Franklin Police Department or Williamson County Sheriff's Office, including the requestor's full name, contact information, and specific records being sought.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(B), agencies must respond to records requests within seven business days. Fees for copies may apply in accordance with the schedule established by the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel.

Contents of a Franklin Arrest Record

Franklin arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Tennessee state law and local regulations. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and their affiliated agency
Detailed enumeration of all charges filed, including citation of relevant Tennessee Code sections
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken from front and side perspectives
Complete set of fingerprints collected during the booking process
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color
Residential address at time of arrest
Case number and incident report reference numbers
Preliminary court appearance information
Bail or bond amount if applicable
Detention facility where the individual was held

The Franklin Police Department and Williamson County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in compliance with the Tennessee Records Disposition Authorization policies. Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-504, which protects confidential information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Franklin

The expungement process in Franklin allows for the legal removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances as provided by Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101. Expungement effectively seals the record from public view, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for law enforcement purposes.

Individuals may qualify for expungement in Franklin under the following conditions:

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 case resulted in a diversion program that was successfully completed
The conviction was for certain non-violent misdemeanors or Class E felonies after the applicable waiting period has elapsed

The expungement procedure requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Williamson County Court System. The process involves:

Submission of a Petition for Expungement to the court where the case was adjudicated
Payment of the required filing fee (currently $280 in Williamson County)
Verification of eligibility by the District Attorney's Office
Judicial review and potential hearing
Issuance of an Order of Expungement if approved

Upon approval, the court clerk distributes the expungement order to all relevant agencies, including the Franklin Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. These agencies are then required to remove the records from their publicly accessible databases.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g), certain offenses are ineligible for expungement, including violent felonies, sexual offenses, and driving under the influence. Additionally, individuals with multiple convictions may face restrictions on their eligibility for expungement.

The Williamson County General Sessions Court, located at 135 4th Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064, processes expungement petitions. Court hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (615) 790-5454.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Access to arrest records in Franklin is subject to certain statutory limitations designed to protect privacy rights and the integrity of the justice system. The Tennessee Public Records Act contains specific exemptions codified in T.C.A. § 10-7-504 that restrict public access to certain categories of arrest information.

Records that may be withheld or redacted include:

Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18 years of age) unless the juvenile was charged as an adult pursuant to T.C.A. § 37-1-134
Information pertaining to ongoing investigations as specified in T.C.A. § 10-7-504(a)(2)(A)
Records sealed by court order or expunged pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101
Information that would compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel
Records related to victims of domestic violence or sexual offenses
Personal identifying information including Social Security numbers, home addresses of law enforcement personnel, and medical information

The Franklin Police Department and Williamson County Sheriff's Office are required to balance public access rights with these privacy protections. Requestors seeking arrest records may be required to provide identification to verify Tennessee citizenship as permitted under T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A).

Government agencies in Franklin may deny access to records if disclosure would interfere with an active prosecution or investigation. In such cases, the agency must cite the specific exemption being applied and provide an estimated timeframe when the records may become available.