Scott County Arrest Records

Law enforcement officers in Scott County, Tennessee, may conduct arrests when they have probable cause to believe a person has committed a criminal offense. Such offenses may be categorized as misdemeanors, felonies, or infractions, each carrying distinct consequences under Tennessee criminal law.

Typically, after an arrest, the individual is booked and held in a county jail or correctional facility operated by the Scott County Sheriff's Department or another relevant agency. The agency responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records is the Scott County Sheriff's Office. These records may later contribute to broader public record files such as Scott County Court Records, criminal background reports maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and prosecution files held by the district attorney's office.

Are Arrest Records Public in Scott County?

Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, arrest records are presumptively open to inspection by any Tennessee citizen. The Act's broad transparency mandate covers state, county, and municipal agencies—law-enforcement bodies included.

Anyone may request records from the Scott County Sheriff's Office (or any other agency). A typical arrest record lists the date, time, and location of the arrest, the charges filed, and the arresting agency and officer

An agency may redact or withhold portions of a record when disclosure is likely to:

• Endanger the safety of officers, victims, or witnesses
• Interfere with an ongoing investigation or prosecution
• Reveal confidential investigative techniques or intelligence sources
• Involve juvenile offenders or sealed court matters
• Disclose protected medical or mental-health information

When exemptions apply, complete records are generally limited to:

• The arrestee
• The arrestee's attorney
• Prosecutors and courts
• Other authorized government entities

The public may still inspect the non-confidential sections—typically the booking sheet and other basic facts of the incident—consistent with the TPRA's commitment to open government.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records generally contain the following information:

• Personal Identifiers
  • Full legal name and any known aliases
  • Date of birth and age on the arrest date
  • Physical description: Gender, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, and notable marks or tattoos
• Arrest Details
  • Exact date and time of the arrest
  • Precise location (street address or intersection, city/county)
  • Arresting agency and badge number(s) of the officer(s) involved
  • Arrest report or case reference number
• Charges
  • Statutory charges filed at the scene, including relevant Tennessee code citations
  • Offense classification: felony, misdemeanor, or infraction
• Custody & Release
  • Bail/bond amount set (if any) and the arrestee's current status (released, held, or transferred)
  • Detention or booking facility name, with inmate or booking ID numbers when applicable
• Court Information
  • Upcoming court dates or appearance requirements
  • Jurisdiction/court where the case will be heard

Find Scott County Arrest Records

1. Start with the Scott County Sheriff's Office

The Scott County Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of local arrest, booking, and jail-roster information. The address and contact information are as follows:

Scott County Sheriff's Office
575 Scott High Drive,
Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-3111

Inquirers may request a record by submitting their request in person, by mail, or (if available) by email. Requesters will need to provide the full name of the arrestee, date of birth, date of arrest, and incident or booking number to process the request

2. Check the online jail roster (if offered)

Some Tennessee sheriffs post a daily or weekly roster on their website. Inquirers may visit the county's website and look for a "Jail", "Inmate Search", or "Current Arrests" link. If no roster is online, call the records clerk for guidance.

3. Use statewide databases for broader searches

• FOIL tips: Search by name or TDOC number; results show sentence length, facility, and parole eligibility.
• TBI check: Useful for comprehensive background screening; requires the subject's fingerprints.
• VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday): Sign up for free text or email alerts when an inmate's status changes.
  Verify records through court dockets
  Arrests that lead to criminal charges appear in court filings. Use the Tennessee CourtConnect portal or visit the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk's Office to review case dockets and dispositions.

Free Arrest Record Search in Scott County

Scott County residents may perform free arrest record searches through public law enforcement resources. For example, the Tennessee Department of Corrections' FOIL system allows anyone to search for felony offenders by name. Similarly, the Scott County Sheriff's Office may respond to record requests under the TPRA without charge, especially for in-person inspection.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. In Tennessee, an arrest may remain on an individual's record indefinitely. Although law enforcement agencies may establish internal record retention schedules, arrest records are typically preserved unless legally expunged or sealed. Records held by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and related entities may be available for decades unless expunged.

Expunge Scott County Arrest Records

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101, eligible individuals may petition the court to expunge (erase or seal) an arrest record so it is no longer publicly accessible. Once expunged, the incident is treated as if it never occurred for most employment and legal purposes.

One or more of the following must generally be true:

1. No charges filed after the arrest.
2. Charges dismissed by the court.
3. Acquittal at trial.
4. Successful completion of a pre-trial or judicial diversion program.
5. A first-time offender's charge is an eligible, non-violent misdemeanor or low-level felony.

How to Petition for Expungement

1. File in the original court. Submit a petition (with the final case disposition attached) to the same court that handled the matter.
2. Pay the fee. A non-refundable filing fee usually applies.
3. Wait, if required. Certain dismissals—especially those tied to diversion programs—carry a statutory waiting period before expungement is allowed.

What happens next?

Once the judge signs the order:

• Law-enforcement agencies, court clerks, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation remove the record from public databases.
• Sealed information remains accessible only to criminal-justice agencies in limited circumstances.

Scott County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is an order or writ empowering law-enforcement officers to detain a person suspected of committing a crime. In Scott County, a judge or magistrate issues the warrant after reviewing an affidavit from an officer that establishes probable cause. Each warrant lists the following:

• The suspect's full name
• The alleged offense
• The date of issuance
• The issuing judge's or magistrate's signature

Once issued, officers may execute the warrant at any time within their jurisdiction.

Do Scott County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. A Scott County arrest warrant remains in force until it is served, quashed, or recalled by the court. Although a defense attorney can file a motion challenging the warrant's legality—prompting judicial review—law-enforcement officers may act on an outstanding warrant at any point, regardless of how much time has passed since it was issued.