Tennessee Warrant Search

It is possible to find information about legal warrants in the state of Tennessee in a number of ways. One place to perform a Tennessee warrant search is through online public record databases. This is part of the public record that the state makes available. It is a right to know issue for the public, and the ability to a Tennessee warrant search is considered very important to a lot of Tennessee residents. If you’ve had a traffic citation or are currently on probation in Tennessee, then you might consider verifying if you have any outstanding Tennessee warrants. To begin your search, enter the name of the person you want to lookup into the search form of a public record site. If you know the city or county that would be helpful too but not necessary as you can search statewide. Then after the search results are displayed, make sure to verify the person you are looking up is correct. Sometimes there are duplicate records for people with the same names. If this is the case, then you may need to know their age, date of birth, address, or middle name to confirm you’ve found the right record. Once you’ve determined you have the right person’s record you can view their criminal charges, prior convictions, court case records, criminal background records, and any incarcerations or probation records. There is a lot you can find about a person with a simple name search online, these are all publicly available records that anyone can find online.

Run a Tennessee Arrest Warrant Search

A Tennessee arrest warrant search can be performed a few different ways. Some of these resources are anonymous and others are not. If you are concerned you have one issued in your name and want to get in front of it before being arrested then you may consider using one of the anonymous resources. Here are some solid options to begin your research:

1. Visit the county sheriff department website or police department website in the city or county where was issued. Most of the larger metropolitan areas and county law enforcement websites have online listings of their most wanted persons, known fugitives, and online resources to search active TN warrants. Some examples include the Nashville Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff Department, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
2. Another TN state agency that will allow you to search for arrest warrants statewide is the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. They have active listings of fugitives and the most wanted in the state. You can also call them directly to run an active search if you don’t find what you are looking for on their site. The most wanted list is updated daily but might not include non-violent offenders. The list of active warrants is too long to display all of them online so calling them is a good option if you need to be certain.
3. You can also use a public record site to run a statewide search. You will need to have the full name of the person of interest, and any additional information you have will help with your research. The preliminary search is usually free however, if you need a detailed report or a full criminal history abstract of the person you are researching, this will cost a few bucks. Many people choose this option because of the convenience and confidentiality of the online search.

What to Do if You Have an Arrest Warrant in Tennessee

If you discover there’s an arrest warrant in your name, there are some important steps to take to handle the situation without making it worse: 

• Consult With a Defense Attorney: Before talking to the courts or law enforcement, and making any decisions, get the advice of an attorney first. A skilled criminal defense attorney can advise on the best course of action. Even if you can’t afford one, try to get some legal advice before surrendering yourself to the courts. The worst-case scenario is being arrested and waiting until a public defender can assist you, which can drag the court case out longer depending on their ability to assist you in a timely manner. 
• Turn Yourself In: As much as you might not like the idea of surrendering yourself, turning yourself in can sometimes be the best thing you can do in the eyes of the court, especially if accompanied by an attorney. This shows a willingness to cooperate with the system and let’s the judge know that you are taking your situation seriously. 
• Prepare for the Consequences: Depending on the nature of the warrant, you might face fines, court appearances, or even jail time. It’s crucial to be mentally and financially prepared. You may be able to bond out of jail until your court arraignment and that can give you much needed time to get your affairs in order in the event that you need to do some jail or prison time. It can also give you time to prepare your criminal defense and make sure that you have all the information you need to defend yourself in court. 

Tennessee Warrants as Public Record and Criminal Records

In Tennessee, as in every state, warrants are considered a part of a person’s public records. This means anyone can access them unless they are sealed for specific reasons like protecting ongoing sensitive investigations or the safety of individuals involved. However, having an outstanding warrant and having a criminal record are two distinct things. A warrant indicates that there’s probable cause to arrest someone, or summons them to court, while a criminal record indicates past criminal convictions. However, if someone is arrested due to a warrant, that arrest becomes part of their criminal record. All of these are public records and even though a warrant does not necessarily mean a conviction, it is still recorded under a person’s criminal record until that warrant is executed or removed or quashed by a judge or magistrate. 

Other States That You Can Run a Free Warrant Search In

• Alabama  
• Alaska  
• Arizona  
• Arkansas  
• California  
• Colorado  
• Connecticut  
• Delaware
• Florida  
• Georgia  
• Hawaii  
• Idaho  
• Illinois  
• Indiana  
• Iowa  
• Kansas  
• Kentucky  
• Louisiana  
• Maine  
• Maryland  
• Massachusetts  
• Michigan  
• Minnesota  
• Mississippi  
• Missouri  
• Montana  
• Nebraska  
• Nevada  
• New Hampshire  
• New Jersey  
• New Mexico  
• New York  
• North Dakota  
• Ohio  
• Oklahoma  
• Oregon  
• Pennsylvania  
• Rhode Island  
• South Carolina  
• South Dakota  
• Texas  
• Utah  
• Vermont  
• Virginia  
• Washington  
• West Virginia  
• Wisconsin  
• Wyoming