Washington County Arrest Records

According to Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-7-103, an officer can arrest an individual without a warrant if:

• A state resident has committed a public offense in the presence of the officer.
• An officer has probable cause to believe the individual is responsible for a crime
• A charge has been filed for a felony based on reasonable cause.
• An officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual has committed a stalking offense.
• The individual was involved in a traffic accident and fled the scene

Once arrested, suspects are typically transported to the Washington County Sheriff's Office or a local police station for processing. Officers will complete necessary reports and forms, and then the arrested person will be taken to the Washington County Detention Center for booking. The booking process typically involves:

• Medical screening.
• Photographing (mugshots) and fingerprinting.
• Gathering personal information (such as name, date of birth, and address).
• A thorough search.

After booking, bail is typically set, allowing some individuals to be released while awaiting court appearances. Those who qualify may be released on their recognizance, while others may be held until their court dates, depending on the nature of the charges and the bail conditions. Arrest records are primarily held by law enforcement agencies, but this information may be featured within Washington county court records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records in Washington County generally include the following information:

• The full name of the arrested individual.
• Mugshot, date of birth, and other identifying details such as race and sex.
• Date, time, and location of the arrest.
• The arresting officer's name and badge number.
• Criminal charges or offenses.
• Details of the booking process, including bond amounts and any applicable warrants.
• Release information, if available.

Washington County Crime Rate

Washington County is monitored for crime rates and trends, with data published by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI reports include statistics on violent crime, property crime, domestic violence, drug-related offenses, and other criminal activities in Washington County. These reports give residents and stakeholders insights into the criminal landscape of the area.

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Washington County,residents can access arrest records through state and federal agencies. The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) manages records for individuals incarcerated in state facilities. To request Washington County arrest records, individuals may visit any TDOC facility during business hours. Visitors must provide a valid photo ID and either the person's name or their TDOC inmate number to facilitate the search.

For those unable to visit in person, the TDOC offers an online search tool. Users can find arrest records by searching for a name, TDOC number, or state ID. This tool provides quick access to records without needing a physical visit.

Federal law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records for federal offenses committed in Washington County. Each agency has its own method for distributing these records to the public. The following are the most common methods for accessing federal arrest records:

• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): The BOP provides a free Inmate Locator tool that allows record seekers to search by name or identification number (such as the BOP register number, FBI number, or INS number) to find Washington County arrest records for individuals in federal custody. Those wishing to obtain arrest records in person can visit any BOP facility during business hours.
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Individuals can access ICE arrest records through the Online Detainee Locator System. This system allows searches based on the individual's A-Number or biographical information. Additionally, arrest records can be requested by visiting ICE field offices or detention centers in person during business hours.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI provides arrest records to individuals who request their own records. This service is available online, by mail, or through authorized channelers. A fee of $18 is required for the request, payable by credit card, money order, or certified check. Electronic requests must include fingerprints, which can be submitted at participating U.S. Post Office locations. Requests typically take 15 to 20 days to process. For mail-in requests, send the completed Applicant Information Form along with the required fee to:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

United States Capitol Police (USCP): The USCP provides arrest summary reports to Washington County residents through their online portal or by mail. Online searches can be filtered by crime date, CFN number, crime summary, and crime type. Mail requests can be sent to:

United States Capitol Police
Reports Processing Section
119 D Street, NE
Washington, DC 20510

Free Arrest Record Search in Washington County

The Washington County Sheriff's Office offers a free online Inmate Roster Search tool. This tool allows residents to search for current inmates using the individual's first and last names. The search returns basic information such as the inmate's arrest date, charges, and bond amount. While this free search provides an overview of the arrest, individuals may need to pay a small fee to obtain more detailed arrest reports or other related documents. In addition, third-party websites may offer arrest record searches, but these usually provide only limited free information, with more comprehensive reports available for a fee.

Get Washington County Criminal Records

For comprehensive criminal history information in Washington County, residents can query the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI provides adult criminal history records to the general public and certain authorized organizations. There are two primary methods to request criminal records:

• Online Request: Through the Tennessee Open Records Information Services (TORIS) platform, the general public can request criminal history information by name. The fee for an online request is $29, payable via Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit cards.
• Mail Request: Requesters can submit a Tennessee Criminal History Information Request Form in either English or Spanish. The cost is also $29, payable by money order, cashier's check, or personal/business check. Completed requests should be mailed to the TBI's office.

For individuals seeking an FBI criminal background check, the TBI offers this service for $50. Unlike name-based searches, this process requires a fingerprint submission.

Washington County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records are distinct. An arrest record is created following an individual's apprehension by law enforcement. It contains details about the arrest, including the individual's personal information, the arresting officer, and the charges filed. An arrest record does not indicate guilt or the outcome of any legal proceedings.

In contrast, according to Tenn, a criminal record encompasses a broader range of information. Criminal records contain details on an individual's arrests, charges, indictments, detentions, and case dispositions. These records provide a more comprehensive look at an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, including any convictions and sentences. Law enforcement agencies maintain criminal records and may include details about both state and federal offenses.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Washington County, Tennessee, arrest records are maintained by the arresting agency, and these records remain accessible to the public unless they are expunged. Tennessee law provides specific guidelines for how long different types of records are kept, as well as the eligibility criteria for expungement.

The Tennessee Secretary of State (SOS) has a Records Disposition Authorization database, which outlines the retention periods for various types of arrest and criminal records. Below are some common retention periods for arrest-related records in Washington County:

• Files for deceased offenders are retained for 15 years.
• Sex offender community supervision files are retained for 25 years.
• Inmate medical records are retained for 10 years after the inmate's release.
• Probation and parole community supervision files are kept for 5 years.
• Arrest index cards are retained until the death of the subject.
• Complaint or incident reports that do not relate to a felony case are kept for 5 years.
• Fingerprinting records are retained until the death of the subject or for 100 years.
• Body scanner images where no incident is identified are retained for 3 months.

Arrest records and case files maintained by the Washington County Sheriff's Office are generally preserved until they are microfilmed. If the subject of the arrest is found not guilty, these records are microfilmed, and the originals may be destroyed. For individuals convicted of a crime, records are kept until all appeals are exhausted or until the probation or sentence is completed. Upon verification of death or 100 years after the subject's birth, the original records or their microfilmed copies are destroyed.

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

Expungement, or expunction, refers to the process of legally removing a charge from a person's criminal record. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101, certain individuals in Washington County are eligible to have their arrest records expunged if they meet specific criteria.

• Individuals whose charges were dismissed, resulted in a "No True Bill" by the grand jury, or did not lead to any charges are eligible for expungement at no cost.
• Those who successfully completed a pretrial diversion program may also be eligible for expungement of their arrest records.
• Individuals with only one nonviolent offense and no subsequent arrests or violations may be eligible. Additionally, those with two convictions arising from the same incident may also qualify.

Individuals convicted of sexual or violent offenses are generally not eligible for expungement, even if they completed a diversion program.

A person charged with a violation of implied consent laws (§ 55-10-406) is not eligible if, at the time of the offense, they held a commercial driver's license or committed the offense while driving a commercial motor vehicle.

Eligible individuals can file a Request for Removal of Criminal Offender Record form with the Washington County Circuit Court Clerk. A fee of $100 is required for expungement, as per Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401. If the expungement request is approved, the judge will sign an Order for the Expungement of Criminal Offender Record form. This order will be sent to various agencies, including the Washington County Jail, the arresting agency, the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Each agency will then follow its internal procedures to expunge the arrest record.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Washington County, as defined under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-201, is a legal document issued by a magistrate commanding law enforcement to arrest an individual based on probable cause. According to Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-205, an arrest warrant can only be issued when there is reasonable belief that the alleged crime occurred and that the individual in question is responsible.

Per Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-208, arrest warrants must clearly identify the name of the defendant if known. If the individual's name is unknown, the warrant can designate them by any available identifying information. The warrant will also detail the offense committed, the issuing county, and the magistrate's name and initials. Additionally, a copy of the affidavit of complaint must accompany the warrant.

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-212, an arrest warrant can be executed by law enforcement officers in any Tennessee county. Defendants or their attorneys have the right to request copies of arrest warrants served on them, as provided by Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-216.

Washington County Arrest Warrant Search

The Washington County Sheriff's Office allows the public to request arrest warrant information either online or in person. Online searches can be made through a Warrant Search Portal, where users can search by first and last name. In-person requests can be made during business hours at:

Washington County Sheriff's Office
114 W Jackson Blvd
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 788-1414

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Under Tennessee law, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, the warrant remains active until the defendant is apprehended. However, if a misdemeanor arrest warrant remains unexecuted or unreturned for five years, it will be automatically deleted and expunged from records, as outlined by Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-206.

In some cases, an unexecuted arrest warrant may be returned to the issuing court and quashed at the prosecuting attorney's request.