Henry County Arrest Records

In Henry County, arrests occur when there is probable cause that someone has committed a crime. The Sheriff's Office and other police departments carry out these arrests to maintain law and order.

Arrested persons are often detained while waiting for their court appearances. This arrest and booking process generates official records (which may become part of the broader Henry County Court Records). They typically consist of the arrestee's physical characteristics, booking photograph, the arresting officer, witnesses, and the circumstances of the incident. These and other public records, such as arrest warrants and criminal records, offer insights into a person's relationship with the legal system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Henry County?

Yes. Per the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), citizens have the right to view, inspect, or request copies of all types of arrest records generated and maintained by custodial law enforcement agencies during arrests and booking processes unless otherwise stated by law. However, the Act limits or exempts Tennesseans' access to certain arrest details.

Specific records restricted by the Act include:

• Juveniles' fingerprints, photographs, audio and video recordings
• Name and identity of any victim of sex crime
• Records concerning child abuse and investigations or identifying underaged rape victims Records identifying confidential informants
• Records of arrested persons who were acquitted of any crime
• Credit card and debit card information
• Social Security number
• Bank account details
• Information on pending criminal investigation
• Wiretaps (records/documents)

For additional information on publicly available Henry County arrest records, interested parties may contact the Sheriff’s Office at:

210 Forrest Heights
P.O. Box 639 Paris, TN 38242
Phone: (731) 642-1672

Henry County Arrest Statistics

As shown by 5-year statistical data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the Henry County Sheriff’s Office made 3,169 arrests between 2019 and 2023. The gender breakdown of the arrest figures revealed that males made up 67.31% (2,133) of all arrests during the period, while females accounted for 32.69% (1,036).

The racial demographics of all arrests during the review period suggested that Whites were the prevalent racial group arrested for various offenses, with 85.67% (2,715), followed by Blacks or African Americans with 13.66% (433). Individuals whose racial identities were unknown constituted 0.63% (20, while Asians made up 0.03% (1).

Further analysis of the type of offenses law enforcement officers detained offenders for between 2019 and 2023 showed that all other offenses aside from traffic were the most recurring crimes committed, with 55.51% (1,759). This was followed by simple assault at 13.35% (423), possession of dangerous nonnarcotics at 6.44% (204), and Marijuana possession at 5.18% (164).

Find Henry County Arrest Records

Requesters interested in Henry County arrest records may use the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC)'s Offender Search tool to look up details on current or former inmates. Users may search for information on the portal using the inmates' name, race, TDOC ID, or State ID.

The search engine usually yields information such as the offender's biographical details, including first and last name, TDOC, and State ID numbers. Other details that may be derived from the site include the offender’s physical characteristics (sex, height, race, hair, and eye color, weight, and complexion), booking picture, aliases, supervision status, combined sentence(s) length, sentence commencement, and ending dates, and incarceration location.

The Tennessee Department of Corrections contact and locational addresses are as follows:

320 Sixth Avenue North,
Nashville, Tennessee,
37423-0465
(615) 741-1000

Requestors may also utilize the Federal Inmate Locator or the Online Detainee Locator System for enquiries regarding arrests conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Henry County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In terms of their functions, scope, and substance, arrest and criminal records differ.

In Henry County, local law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, generate and maintain arrest records each time someone is detained on suspicion of a crime. These records only document instances where someone is believed to have violated the law. Yet, this does not mean they were convicted for the offense.

Arrest records will remain on an individual's record indefinitely, regardless of whether they are subsequently acquitted of the charges. The Freedom of Information Act and other relevant laws usually restrict the arrest information of persons with arrest records from public disclosure because arrest records indicate accusations rather than convictions.

On the other hand, criminal records are extensive official reports that document an offender's interactions with the criminal justice and judicial systems. These records detail an individual’s arrests, court proceedings, convictions, and sentences.

Arrest records are typically associated with less severe offenses, such as minor theft and traffic violations. Conversely, criminal records frequently pertain to more severe offenses, including murder, rape, and robbery.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

If a person with an arrest record does not apply to the court to expunge or seal such records, the arrest information remains on the records. The expungement process guarantees that only qualified persons are allowed to access these records.

Applicants seeking the expungement of their arrest records may be eligible if the charges against them were dismissed, a grand jury returned a “no true bill,” they were taken into custody but not charged, they were found not guilty at trial, or the prosecution decided not to pursue the case (nolle prosequi).

Henry County Arrest Warrants

In Henry County, like other parts of Tennessee, arrest warrants are court orders issued by a magistrate that permit law enforcement officials to detain someone for a suspected crime.

When a magistrate receives a complaint alleging a particular crime within their jurisdiction and has reasonable cause to suspect that an identified person committed the offense, they issue an arrest warrant. The warrant instructs any law enforcement officer in the state to arrest the suspect.

In Henry County, arrest warrants must be written, signed by the judge, and include information such as:

• The name of the crime and the specific section of the law violated.
• The county where the warrant was issued.
• The name or description of the individual being arrested.
• The date of issuance and the judge’s name and title.
• A directive to arrest the accused and present them before the issuing judge or another judge in the same county.

Do Henry County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Hamblen County arrest warrants have no expiration date. The only way for an arrest warrant to expire is if the person wanted appears in court, dies, or the judge decides to quash it.

The following scenarios may lead to the revocation of an arrest warrant:

• A judge or magistrate may decide to nullify an arrest warrant if it was initially granted in error or if the person named on the warrant appears in court voluntarily.
• The prosecutor's office or law enforcement agencies may choose to alter the direction or objectives of a prosecution, thereby voiding an arrest warrant.
• The charges associated with arrest warrants may be subject to the statute of limitations, even though they typically do not expire.