Sumner County Warrant Search

Sumner County warrant search is a process by which individuals find out if there are any active or outstanding warrants against them. Law enforcement agencies can conduct a warrant search to gather evidence and testimony for final decisions concerning a criminal act in the county.

In Tennessee, the warrant process involves a judge issuing a warrant based on probable cause (Rule 4). The type of warrant issued depends on the circumstances, such as whether there is a suspicion of an illegal act or a failure to appear in court.

Generally, individuals can begin a warrant search process through law enforcement and other departments that maintain warrants and court records within the county. However, different custodians may make these documents available depending on the type of warrant. For instance, to determine if there is an arrest warrant for an individual or other arrest information, one may need to request Sumner County Arrest Records.

Are Warrants Public Records?

Yes. In Sumner County, warrants are public records. According to the Tennessee Open Records Act, members of the public have access to various public records across the state, including warrants (TN Code. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A)). This means that members of the public can submit requests to view or obtain these documents from the right custodians. However, there are limitations on accessing warrant information (TN. Code. § 10-7-504).

For example, statements of a warrant under an ongoing investigation or warrants issued to undercover law enforcement agents may be inaccessible to the public. Moreover, sealed warrants or those containing a juvenile’s identifying information are not open to the public.

Types of Warrants in Sumner County

Warrants are legal documents from courts that permit law enforcement officers to take certain actions following an individual’s alleged criminal involvement. Several types of warrants are issued in Sumner County, some more common than others. These warrants include arrest, bench, search, distress, fugitive, and grand jury indictment warrants.

Do I Have a Warrant in Sumner County?

The different search options for interested individuals to find warrants in Sumner County include:

• Sumner County Sheriff's County office
• County Sheriff's Warrants Division online portal
• Sumner County Court Clerk or courthouse
• Third-party, public record online websites

Active Warrant Search in Sumner County

Individuals may conduct a thorough search for active warrants in Sumner County using various official resources made available by the court and other law enforcement agencies. However, it is important to note that these agencies are responsible for maintaining several types of warrants. Each warrant will require the requester to follow different procedures and, if possible, reach out to the courthouse in charge of the case.

While the courthouse may be the first contact, other law enforcement officers keep records of various warrant information and can make it available upon request if it is non-confidential. Below are custodians and resources for different warrant records in Sumner County and how to obtain them.

Arrest Warrant Search

To conduct an active arrest warrant search in Sumner County, an individual can visit the Sumner County Sheriff's Office in person at 117 West Smith Street, Gallatin, TN 37066, and call (615) 452-2616. The office can provide information on active or outstanding arrests or criminal warrants in the county. Moreover, the Sheriff's Office (Warrants Division) also provides an online warrants lookup portal that allows individuals search active warrants in the county. The portal provides a list of suspects, including their name, age, sex, race, charge, warrant type, warrant disposition, date received, and date served.

Individuals can also retrieve court records from the Sumner County Courthouse by contacting the Sumner County Court Clerk's Office in person. Court records contain information on a person’s arrest, which may include an active criminal warrant.

Alternatively, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation offers a statewide resource for warrant information on all fugitives and the most wanted in the state. Moreover, individuals can conduct criminal background checks to access a person's arrest history, which includes arrest warrants. Contact the office at (615) 744-4000 to run an active arrest warrant search across the state, including Sumner County.

Bench Warrant Lookup

Bench warrants are issued when a person fails to appear at a court hearing or fails to comply with the court's probation order. Therefore, it is most suitable to search for bench warrants in person at the Court Clerk's office during official courthouse hours.

Bench warrants are either civil or criminal so that individuals can search for warrants using the Sumner County Online Court Records System. To complete a search, provide information such as the party’s name or case number, type, and court type.

Individuals can also search for bench warrants in Sumner County at the Sumner County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division portal. All warrant information is made available through this online portal.

Free Warrant Search

Generally, a warrant search in Sumner County is free. To conduct a free search, visit the office of the Sumner County Sheriff or Court Clerk. However, a fee may be required to make copies of this document in person. There are also no fees required to search for warrant information on the official online warrant portal.

Can You Check Warrants Online?

Yes. It is possible to look for warrants online. Individuals can search for warrants through third-party websites. These unofficial sources provide access to publicly available court records, which include warrant information across the state. Users may need to provide the name of the person involved, the location, and the county where the warrant is issued.

The difference is that third-party websites may provide access to other parts of court records, as they are gathered from various sources. However, using these websites may not be as free as the official inquiry tools from law enforcement agencies. One may need to pay a charge fee to complete a search or obtain warrant results.

Do Warrants Expire?

Yes. However, expiration depends on the type of warrant. According to the statute of limitations stated in the TN Code. §40-6-206, if a warrant has not been served or quashed within five years from the date of its issuance, it will automatically expire or be removed from the record.

Moreover, when an arrest warrant is issued in Sumner County, officers have 10 days to make an arrest (TN Code. § 68-120-117(f)). Once an arrest is made, the warrant expires. However, there is no limit to a felony arrest warrant if it is issued after a crime takes place, especially if the crime is punishable by life imprisonment or death.

In Tennessee, bench warrants remain active until the issue is resolved or the court judge cancels them. In most cases, if not all, the police will have to find the subject of the warrant and bring them to court at any time.

How to Clear a Warrant Without Going to Jail

To clear a warrant in Sumner County without going to jail:

• Contact a local criminal defense attorney to find out the reason for a warrant and devise a strategy to address the warrant.
• Visit the issuing court to work out a surrender or schedule a hearing. Appearing in court to answer for an alleged crime can also resolve the warrant.
• Pay off the balance by posting cash or an attorney bond for the warrant. An attorney can work out a payment plan with the courts to get the warrant taken care of without any further issues with the law.