Sevier County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Sevier County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Sevier County may access publicly available information through SevierRecords.org as well as through official government channels maintained by county and state agencies. Criminal records accessible through these resources may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and sentencing information, though completeness and availability vary by record type, date, and jurisdiction.
Relevant record categories that may be found through official sources include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Active warrants
- Sex offender registry entries
- Probation and parole records
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available.
1. County Court Records
The Sevier County Circuit Court maintains criminal case files for felony and misdemeanor matters heard within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Sevier County Circuit Court Clerk
125 Court Avenue, Suite 302
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: (865) 453-4654
Sevier County Circuit Court
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Public access terminals are available at the clerk's office for on-site case searches at no charge.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Sevier County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records beyond in-person inspection.
Sevier County Sheriff's Office
106 W Bruce Street
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: (865) 453-4668
Sevier County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts operates the Tennessee Court Case Search portal, which allows members of the public to search criminal case records statewide, including Sevier County. Users may search by full name, case number, or date of birth. The portal reflects case filings, charges, and dispositions but may not include the most recent updates due to processing lag.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the state's official criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certified reports, fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – Criminal History Records Unit
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
TBI Criminal History Records
5. Written and Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Sevier County Circuit Court Clerk at the address listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, public agencies are required to respond to public records requests promptly, with a response timeframe not to exceed seven business days for acknowledgment.
What Is Sevier County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In Tennessee, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the lifecycle of a criminal case, from initial arrest through final disposition.
Key distinctions in criminal record types include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both are documented in the court record system.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under Tennessee law. Juvenile records are confidential under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153 and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding court orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Sevier County include:
- Sevier County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Sevier County Circuit Court – court case files, charges, pleas, dispositions, sentencing
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments – incident and arrest reports within their jurisdictions
Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of court proceedings, and finalized upon sentencing or dismissal. A complete criminal record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Sevier County
Criminal records in Sevier County are public records under Tennessee law. The Tennessee Public Records Act, T.C.A. § 10-7-503, establishes that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by law. As stated in the statute, "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee."
Records that are available to the public include:
- Adult conviction records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Arrest and booking records
- Sentencing information
- Sex offender registry entries
Records that are restricted or exempt from public access include:
- Juvenile records (sealed under T.C.A. § 37-1-153)
- Expunged records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Sealed case records
- Ongoing criminal investigation files
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The Tennessee Attorney General's office provides guidance on public records access and exemptions. Members of the public may reference the Tennessee Attorney General's Public Records guidance for clarification on specific exemptions. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not subject to Tennessee's open records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Sevier County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Sevier County court records is the Tennessee Court Case Search portal maintained by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. This portal allows searches by name, case number, or date of birth and returns case filings, charge information, and dispositions for criminal matters. No registration is required for basic searches.
The Sevier County Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster on its website, reflecting individuals currently held in the county jail. This roster is updated regularly and is accessible without registration.
State-Level Resources
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides an online sex offender registry search accessible to the public at no charge. For certified criminal history background checks, the TBI's online portal allows individuals to submit requests electronically with applicable fees.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Be aware that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public-facing search tools
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag of hours to several days depending on the agency. Historical records predating digitization may require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Sevier County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Tennessee law mandates that public records be available for personal inspection at no charge. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503, citizens have the right to inspect records during business hours without payment. Copying fees may apply for physical reproductions. In-person inspection is available at:
- Sevier County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, 125 Court Avenue, Suite 302, Sevierville, TN 37862
- Sevier County Sheriff's Office, 106 W Bruce Street, Sevierville, TN 37862
2. Free Online Databases
- Tennessee Court Case Search – free case lookup, no registration required
- Sevier County Sheriff's Office inmate roster – free, updated regularly
- Tennessee Sex Offender Registry – free public search
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Sheriff's Office public records process at no charge for inspection.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $0.50–$1.00 per page (varies) |
| Official TBI background check | $29.00 (standard) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee |
| Electronic certified copies | Variable |
Fee schedules are subject to change and are governed by Tennessee's public records fee statute. Indigent requestors may petition the court for fee waivers in certain circumstances.
What's Included in a Sevier County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, conditions of supervision, any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI or DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under T.C.A. § 37-1-153)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion program records (upon successful completion)
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain errors due to data entry, name variations, or incomplete updates. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their own records may petition the originating court or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for correction. Employers and licensing agencies are advised to verify records through official certified channels rather than relying solely on online database results.
How Long Does Sevier County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Tennessee's public records retention schedules, administered through the Tennessee State Library and Archives, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. The Tennessee Public Records Commission establishes retention schedules applicable to all public agencies.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the state repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; may be subject to expungement eligibility after applicable waiting periods
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; eligible for expungement under Tennessee law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records with disposition noted; eligible for expungement
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 18 under T.C.A. § 37-1-153; destruction timelines vary by offense classification
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
- County courts retain case files permanently per state retention rules
- The Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records per applicable retention schedules
- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical elimination of a record after its retention period expires.
- Sealing restricts public access to a record while preserving it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement is a court-ordered process that removes a record from public access entirely. Under Tennessee law, certain eligible offenses may be expunged after completion of sentence and applicable waiting periods. Expungement forms and eligibility criteria are available through the Tennessee Courts expungement resources.
Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged through a court order. Expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for specified purposes.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules, independent of Tennessee state law.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under Tennessee law. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically report convictions for seven to ten years, though this limitation does not apply to positions with salaries above certain thresholds. Professional licensing boards in Tennessee may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction.