Dickson County Arrest Records

In Dickson County, Tennessee, arrest records are created when law enforcement officers take a criminal suspect into custody. An arrest is necessary when there is probable cause to suspect that a person has participated in a crime. This may be for several reasons, such as the crime observed, a victim or witness report, or evidence obtained during an investigation.

The Dickson County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for making arrests and creating and maintaining arrest records. This information includes details such as the nature of the alleged crime, the arrest date and time, and the arrestee's identity. Municipalities have other local police departments that make arrests and issue warrants. These include:

• Burns Police Department
• Dickson Police Department
• White Bluff Police Department

Individuals arrested in Dickson County are held in the Dickson County Jail, which is supervised by the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office. This facility is responsible for the detention and treatment of persons awaiting trial or serving sentences in the county.

In certain circumstances, arrest may lead to criminal prosecution, and such arrest records will form part of Dickson County Court Records. Court records provide a complete picture of the legal process following arrest, including convictions, acquittals, or dismissals.

Are Arrest Records Public in Dickson County?

According to the Tennessee Open Records Act, Dickson County arrest records are publicly available. This means that interested parties can request copies of arrest documents.

However, restrictions may apply when accessing certain arrest records or information. For example, records regarding juveniles, adoptions, mental health matters, or sealed or expunged records are unavailable to the public. Special authorization or court orders are required to access these records. Also, sensitive information such as social security numbers, financial details, or medical records are generally redacted to protect individuals’ privacy.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records include information regarding the arrest and the detained person. The information includes:

• Personal information of the detainee - full name, date of birth, gender, physical description, and mugshot.
• Arrest details - the arrest date, time, and location, arresting agency, and arresting officer(s).
• Arrest charges - the charge(s) or alleged offense(s) committed by the person and the category of the alleged offense(s).
• Booking details - booking date and time, location, and booking number.
• Court case information (if available).

Dickson County Crime Rate

The Tennessee Incident-Based Reporting System (TIBRS) reports crime statistics for all counties in Tennessee. In 2021, Dickson County reported 380 crimes, including 124 violent crimes and 256 property crimes. The violent crimes include two murders, 18 rapes, three robberies, and 101 aggravated assaults. The property crimes reported include 70 burglaries, 131 larcenies, 54 motor vehicle thefts, and one case of arson.

Dickson County Arrest Statistics

In 2021, the TIBRS reported 89 arrests, including 52 violent crime arrests and 37 property crime arrests. All the arrests, save for one juvenile arrest for aggravated assault, were adults. The violent crime arrests included two arrests each for murder, rape, and robbery. There were 47 aggravated assault arrests (46 adults and one juvenile). Regarding property crimes, there were 13 burglary arrests, 15 larceny arrests, and nine motor vehicle theft arrests. There were no arson-related arrests.

Find Dickson County Arrest Records

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office does not provide an online portal to access inmate information. To obtain inmate information, call (615) 789-4109 and provide the relevant information.

At the state level, information on all inmates at any jail or correctional facility in the state is maintained by the Tennessee Department of Corrections. This information can be searched by using the Felony Offender Information. This inmate roster can be searched with the inmate’s first name or last name.

In addition, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates an Inmate Locator tool to provide users with access to information on federal inmates. The tool can be searched by name, age, race, and BOP register number. You will find the inmate’s location, release date, and facility details.

Free Arrest Record Search in Dickson County

You can carry out free arrest record searches in Dickson County through official resources at the county, state, and federal levels below:

• Dickson County Sheriff’s Office - call (615) 789-4109
• TDOC online offender search tool
• BOP Inmate Locator tool

You may also find third-party websites that offer free access to Dickson County arrest records. These third parties may prove useful by aggregating publicly available information; however, they may have limitations and privacy concerns. They may not always have the most current or accurate information, and some may require registration or fees to access full database information.

If you are using third-party websites, be aware that the information provided may not be as reliable as official government resources. You should prioritize official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date records.

Get Dickson County Criminal Records

Dickson County criminal records are official documentation of a person’s criminal history in the county. They include information on arrest, conviction, sentencing, and incarceration. They also contain personal information, such as the person’s name, address, date of birth, gender, weight, and height.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is the central system for criminal history information that provides members of the public with access to carry out criminal background checks in the state. Dickson County residents can conduct criminal background checks online or via mail. However, these background checks are limited to name-based checks only. Conduct online criminal background checks by using the Tennessee Open Records Information Services Website. Mail-in requests should be sent to:

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

Each criminal background check costs $29, which is payable with credit cards. Fingerprint checks are available to record holders and law enforcement agencies only. It is also available to authorized bodies (with ORI numbers) that provide services to children, elderly, and vulnerable persons. Requests for fingerprint criminal background checks vary in cost between $21.90 and $35.15. This is payable with credit cards.

Dickson County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records are official documents created when law enforcement apprehends a person. These records include information such as the personal information of the arrested individual, information regarding the arrest, and booking information, such as fingerprints and mugshots. The main purpose of arrest records is to document this preliminary interaction with law enforcement. Arrest records do not indicate a person’s guilt or innocence. They only state that the person was arrested on suspicion of a crime.

On the other hand, criminal records provide a comprehensive overview of a person’s criminal background. This information includes all arrests, detention, criminal proceedings, and sentences served. A criminal record contains information about charges, trials, and outcomes against a person, such as convictions, acquittals, or dismissals. They also contain information about sentencing, including prison terms, probation, and parole. Thus, criminal records show an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system from initial arrest to final legal outcomes. They show whether the person was found guilty or not.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Tennessee, arrests usually stay on a person’s record indefinitely. If arrest records are not expunged, they do not automatically disappear and can be accessed as part of a person’s criminal history. Expungement is a legal process to remove those records, and eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the crime and the individual’s criminal history.

Expunge Dickson County Arrest Records

In Dickson County, expungement involves a court process in which legal records of criminal cases are expunged or removed from public access. In Tennessee, only certain criminal records can be expunged.

The circumstances below qualify a person for expungement of records in Dickson County:

• The charges were dismissed.
• A “no true bill” was returned by a grand jury.
• Arrested and released without being charged.
• The case went to trial, but the court gave a not-guilty verdict.
• The case resulted in a nolle prosequi (prosecution was not pursued).
• A protective order was successfully defended and dismissed by the court following a hearing.

If a person meets any of the above requirements, they can file for expungement in the court where the matter originated. Below are the steps for obtaining an order of expungement:

• Use this form to file a request for an order of expungement with the court where your case originated. Also, reach out to the court clerk to ascertain if there are separate forms for multiple charges.
• Complete the form by listing the charge(s) that qualify for expungement and file the information at the courthouse. The applicant does not have to appear in court.
• If the applicant wants a copy of the expungement order, they should include a self-addressed stamped envelope for each charge.
• Request a certified copy of the order(s) expunging your record and a certified copy of the charging document.
• The application will be forwarded to the judge and to the proper agencies for expungement.

Dickson County Arrest Warrants

In Dickson County, arrest warrants are documents issued by a judge or magistrate providing law enforcement officers with authority to arrest and detain an individual for committing an offense. They are issued when evidence of probable cause reveals that the named person has committed an offense. This evidence is presented by the law enforcement agency or prosecutor to show reasons the arrest of the individual should be procured.

Arrest warrants are issued when:

• Evidence shows probable cause that an individual took part in criminal activity.
• An individual fails to appear in court as required.
• An individual who violates the terms of their probation or parole.
• Criminal investigations are ongoing, and there is reason to apprehend suspects.

An arrest warrant includes the following information:

• The individual's personal information, including name, address, and physical description.
• The offense(s) the individual is alleged to have committed.
• The date and time of issuing the warrant.
• A brief statement outlining the probable cause for the arrest.
• The signature and title of the issuing judge or magistrate.

Dickson County Arrest Warrant Search

The Warrants Division of the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office handles the service of criminal warrants and other processes. To find active warrants in Dickson County, call (615) 740-4862.

Do Dickson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants generally do not expire in Dickson County, Tennessee. Once a judge or magistrate issues an arrest warrant, it remains in effect until it is enforced or formally recalled or quashed by the court. This means that the person named in the warrant can be arrested at any time, regardless of how long it has been since the warrant was issued.