Arrest records in Wilson County, Tennessee are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Wilson County, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by state law. The Tennessee Public Records Act operates under the fundamental principle that governmental transparency serves the public interest by allowing citizens to monitor the activities and decisions of public officials and agencies.
Members of the public seeking arrest records may obtain them through various official channels established by Wilson County authorities. The Tennessee Public Records Act stipulates that records custodians must promptly make requested records available during regular business hours. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), records custodians must respond to requests within seven business days, either by providing the requested records or explaining why the records cannot be produced.
Wilson County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Wilson County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information as part of its commitment to public service and transparency. This online accessibility represents the county's implementation of modern record-keeping practices in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-121, which authorizes government entities to maintain records in electronic formats.
The online availability of arrest records serves multiple public interests, including:
Online records systems typically include search functions that allow users to locate specific arrest records using identifiers such as name, date of arrest, or case number. However, pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-504, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests, including Social Security numbers, home addresses, and other personally identifying information of victims.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Wilson County arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
Wilson County Sheriff's Office Records Division
115 East High Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 444-1412
Wilson County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wilson County Clerk's Office
228 East Main Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 444-0315
County Clerk's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wilson County Criminal Court Clerk
134 South College Street
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 444-2042
Wilson County Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search process, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), agencies may charge reasonable fees to recover costs associated with producing copies of records. Current fee schedules are available at each records office.
For electronic searches, the Tennessee Court Records system provides a centralized database that includes Wilson County arrest information. Users should note that online systems may not contain complete historical records, particularly for arrests predating digital record-keeping systems.
Wilson County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Tennessee law and local protocols. These records typically include the following elements:
Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to special confidentiality provisions under T.C.A. § 37-1-153 and are generally not available through standard public records requests.
The Wilson County Jail records system maintains comprehensive documentation of all individuals processed through county detention facilities, including arrest circumstances, medical screening information, and custody status.
Under Tennessee law, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records maintained by Wilson County agencies. The expungement process is governed by T.C.A. § 40-32-101, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Eligibility for expungement typically applies in the following circumstances:
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Wilson County Criminal Court. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g), the petition must include specific information about the case, including the date of arrest, charges filed, case disposition, and verification that all court costs and restitution have been paid.
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the District Attorney's Office may present objections. If the court grants the expungement, an order will be issued directing all county agencies to remove references to the arrest from public records. The Wilson County Courts can provide detailed information about current expungement procedures and filing fees.
Individuals should note that expungement under Tennessee law does not necessarily affect records maintained by federal agencies or private information vendors who may have obtained arrest information prior to expungement.