Knox County Circuit Court Case Search

The Circuit Court is the principal trial court in Knox County, Tennessee. As such, records, created and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court typically consist of court documents, court orders, case files, dockets, judgments, and other pertinent information. Requesters may obtain these valuable resources for litigation research, tracing the status of cases, personal affairs, or criminal background checks for employment or tenancy.

What Kinds of cases have been heard in Knox Circuit Court?

The Knox County Circuit Court hears civil and criminal cases and appeals decisions from the Juvenile, Municipal, and Civil Sessions Courts. However, due to the existence of the criminal court, the Circuit Court typically does not exercise its legal authority over criminal cases.

In Knox County, the Chancery Court hears cases concerning contract disputes, injunction applications, and name changes. Judges may listen to cases involving divorces, adoptions, and workers’ compensation in either chancery or circuit court. Established to relieve the Circuit Court, the Knox County Criminal Court has jurisdiction over criminal cases and hears misdemeanor appeals from lower courts.

Furthermore, the five General Sessions Courts hear misdemeanor, DUI, felony, traffic, bond arraignment, and civil cases. While the Juvenile Court hears juvenile matters, the county's Probate Court has jurisdiction over wills, estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships.

Knox County Circuit Court

The Knox County District Court is the county's primary trial court and possesses general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases.

The Circuit Court is a critical component of Knox County's judicial system. It ensures the preservation of the rule of law and justice by providing residents with convenient access to equitable and convenient legal dispute settlement.

The contact details of the Knox County Circuit Court are as follows:

Knox County Circuit Court
City-County Building
400 West Main Street, Suite M-30, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-2400
Fax: (865) 215-4251

Knox County Fourth Circuit Court
City-County Building
400 Main Street, Suite M-15, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-2404

Knox County Case Lookup

Interested parties seeking to search Knox court records county-wide may use the following resources: online, walk-in, or mail-in.

Online Searches

Using the KnoxCircuit Records portal, users may access public Circuit Court records dating back to April 14, 2015, and Civil Sessions records from October 4, 2017. This subscription-based service allows users to access case information on civil and property disputes, contract cases, and other non-criminal matters. However, some sensitive information, like records sealed by a judge or details of adoption proceedings, is not accessible to the public.

Individuals wishing to use KnoxCircuit Records must pay $120.00 for a three-month subscription or $480.00 for an annual subscription.

To search for court records on the portal, navigate to the "search" box after logging in with a username and password. The search page has two headings: Circuit 1-3 on the left and Civil Session on the right. If available, input the case docket number into the Docket Number field and click search.

Those uncertain of the case number must click "Circuit 1-3" or "Civil Sessions," depending on the court handling the case. They can then search the docket number by party name and locate case documents.

Walk-in Requests

Individuals requesting records in person may submit a records request at the Clerk of the Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court's Office or other applicable records custodians Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

They must complete a request to view the public record form and provide a valid government-issued photo ID. Searchers may also use self-help kiosks in the courthouses to find case numbers.

Charges for in-person requests may include a $5.00 computer search fee, $0.50 for making plain copies, and $15.00 (plus $0.50 per page) for exemplified copies of court records. Requesters may pay copying fees using checks, money orders, or cash.

Mail-in Requests

Requesters must send a completed record request form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, a copy of their valid photo ID, and the necessary fees to the clerk of the Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court's Office or other applicable records custodians at the following addresses:

Circuit Court
City County Building
400 Main Street
Suite M30
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 215-2400
Fax: (865) 215-4251

The application must include the requester's first and last name, the case number and type (criminal, civil, or family), and the requester's name, address, and phone number.

Plain copies of court records cost $0.50 per page, while certified copies attract a fee of $5.00 per document. The Clerk of Court Office typically responds to mailed-in requests within 2-7 business days.

Knox Circuit Court Case Search by Name

In Knox County, information seekers may perform name-based searches of Circuit Court records online or in person.

Online: Log on to KnoxCircuit Records with a registered username and password. On the "Welcome" page, click the "Search" box in the upper right corner. While on the search page, click Circuit 1-3" on the left or "Civil Session" on the right to access the applicable court.

Following the steps above will allow the searcher to look up the docket number by party name, allowing them to find documents for the case.

In-Person Search: Requesters may visit the Knox County Courthouse to perform an in-person search by a party's first or last name. They must provide the record staff with a name to process the request. A computer search for such records typically attracts a search fee of $5.00.

Knox Circuit Court Docket Search

A Knox County Circuit Court docket contains a historical account of every action taken during a court case. This includes a range of documents, from the first petition to the final judge's order. Every item filed in court is documented or numbered on a docket page.

A court docket contains summaries and filings of upcoming cases. It is a valuable tool in the justice system because it helps various stakeholders (court staff, judges, parties to a case, and attorneys) keep track of court proceedings and upcoming court dates. Prosecuting and defense attorneys also use it to conduct research for trials.

Individuals searching for Knox Circuit Court dockets may access case summaries of the official dockets on the Circuit Court’s site. They may filter the list of dockets by docket number, attorney, or case title. Please note that dockets published on the site are as current as 4:30 p.m. of the previous day.

Lookup Knox County Circuit Court Online

Requesters seeking Knox County Circuit Court records may obtain court filings and case summaries through the KnoxCircuit Records portal or by visiting the Clerk of Courts Office to request public court records. Alternatively, third-party repositories like Tennesseecourtrecords.us offer user-oriented interfaces for seamlessly searching the county's Circuit Court records.

Searchers may receive specific case information by entering specifics such as case numbers and party names remotely from the comfort of their living spaces. These websites permit information seekers to view and download court records easily. However, government regulatory bodies do not supervise the activities of these databases. Therefore, their data may be incomplete or outdated, and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Supreme Court vs. Circuit Court

The Knox County Circuit Court is a trial-level court where judges first hear civil and criminal legal matters. The Tennessee Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state. Unlike the Circuit Court, the Supreme Court does not conduct trials. Instead, it reviews appeals (from lower courts like the circuit courts), sets legal precedents, and is the final authority on state law.

Compared to the State Supreme Court, the United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation and handles federal matters. Typically, the US Supreme Court reviews federal constitutional issues and state disputes.