Washington County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Washington County, Tennessee may access publicly available information through a combination of official government portals, court clerk offices, and third-party aggregators such as WashingtonTNRecords.us. Washington County maintains criminal records through its court system, Sheriff's Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, each of which holds distinct categories of records. Individuals conducting a search may encounter arrest records, booking logs, court case filings, conviction records, sentencing information, and active warrant data, subject to applicable restrictions under Tennessee law.
Records available through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Jail inmate rosters
- Sex offender registry entries
- Active and recalled warrants
The following methods are available for locating criminal records in Washington County:
1. County Court Records
The Washington County Criminal Court Clerk maintains case files for felony and misdemeanor proceedings heard in the First Judicial District. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date.
Washington County Criminal Court Clerk
100 W. Main Street, Suite 101
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 753-1631
Washington County Courts
Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing. The Sheriff's Office publishes a daily jail roster on its official website.
Washington County Sheriff's Office
1 Jail Court
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: (423) 788-1414
Washington County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts operates the Tennessee Court Case Search portal, which allows members of the public to search by party name, case number, or attorney. Users should enter the full legal name of the subject and select Washington County as the jurisdiction. The portal reflects case status as updated by the clerk's office and may not include all historical records predating electronic filing.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a name-based or fingerprint-based background check request through the TBI Criminal History Records portal. Fingerprint-based checks require submission through an authorized LiveScan provider. Processing times and fees are subject to change; at present, name-based checks are available for a statutory fee.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be directed to the Washington County Criminal Court Clerk at 100 W. Main Street, Suite 101, Jonesborough, TN 37659. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the approximate date range of the records sought. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, public agencies are required to respond to written requests within seven business days.
What Is Washington County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Washington County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Tennessee law, a criminal record encompasses arrest data, charging documents, court proceedings, and final dispositions, including acquittals, convictions, and sentencing orders.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Tennessee law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are classified as Class A through E under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-11-110 and carry more severe penalties. Misdemeanors are classified as Class A, B, or C.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are confidential under Tennessee law and are not subject to public disclosure in the same manner as adult records.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
Criminal records in Washington County are created and updated as cases progress through the justice system, from initial booking through final disposition. The agencies responsible for maintaining these records include:
- Washington County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking logs
- Washington County Criminal Court Clerk — court case files, charging documents, dispositions
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation — statewide criminal history repository
- Jonesborough Police Department and Johnson City Police Department — local arrest records
Records may include charges, arraignment dates, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Washington County
Criminal records in Washington County are subject to public disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee." This statutory mandate applies to adult criminal court records, conviction records, and booking information maintained by county agencies.
Records that are open to public inspection include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing orders, and jail booking logs. Records that are restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Ongoing criminal investigation files
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to court-ordered sealing
The Tennessee Attorney General has issued guidance affirming that expunged records are no longer subject to public disclosure following a valid court order of expungement. Federal records maintained by the FBI or federal courts operate under separate disclosure rules governed by the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) and are not accessible through state or county channels.
How To Find Criminal Records in Washington County Online
Official County Resources
The Washington County Criminal Court Clerk's office participates in the statewide Tennessee Court Case Search system, which provides online access to case filings, hearing dates, and dispositions. The Washington County Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster on its website at washingtoncountysheriff.org. These portals are available without registration and at no cost for basic case lookups.
State-Level Resources
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains a statewide case search portal accessible to the public. The TBI provides name-based criminal history background checks through its online request portal. The Tennessee Sex Offender Registry is searchable through the TBI Sex Offender Registry.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed or expunged records will not appear in public-facing databases
Limitations
Online databases reflect data as updated by the maintaining agency and may lag behind real-time case activity. Historical records predating the implementation of electronic case management systems may require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Washington County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Tennessee law mandates that public records be available for personal inspection at no charge. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, custodians of public records may not charge a fee for inspection, only for copies. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Washington County Criminal Court Clerk's office and arrest records at the Sheriff's Office without paying an inspection fee.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Tennessee Court Case Search — case filings and dispositions
- Washington County Sheriff's Office inmate roster — current jail population
- TBI Sex Offender Registry — registered sex offenders
3. Sheriff's Logs
The Washington County Sheriff's Office publishes daily arrest and booking reports, which are available for public inspection at the office and, in some instances, through the agency's website.
What Costs Money
| Service | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $0.50–$1.00 per page (statutory) |
| Official TBI name-based background check | $29.00 (subject to change) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $38.00+ (subject to change) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Variable |
Copying fees are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, which permits agencies to charge a reasonable fee for copies not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
What's Included in a Washington County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Washington County criminal record at present includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and, where applicable, an FBI number.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Categories
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges
Records NOT Included
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Charges resolved through completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their criminal records may petition the maintaining agency or court for correction. The TBI provides a formal process for challenging inaccurate criminal history information through its criminal history records challenge procedure.
How Long Does Washington County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Tennessee public records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, govern how long county agencies must retain criminal records. The Tennessee Secretary of State's Records Management Division publishes official retention schedules applicable to county courts and law enforcement agencies.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by both the court and the TBI
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently by the court; TBI retains indefinitely
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by the Sheriff's Office for a minimum period per agency policy; may be subject to expungement under Tennessee law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Court records are retained permanently and reflect the dismissal or acquittal as the disposition
- Juvenile records: Confidential under Tennessee law; subject to sealing and potential destruction upon the subject reaching adulthood, pursuant to applicable juvenile court statutes
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files permanently under Tennessee court records retention rules. The Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to the applicable county retention schedule. The TBI retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy is maintained in accordance with the retention schedule.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts public access to a record without eliminating it. Expungement, under Tennessee law, results in the removal of a record from public access and, in many cases, from the official criminal history. Eligibility for expungement in Tennessee is governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, which specifies qualifying offenses and procedural requirements. Expungement forms and instructions are available through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules. These records are not subject to state expungement orders unless the FBI is separately notified and complies with the request.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appearing in the TBI repository remain accessible indefinitely absent a valid expungement order. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at present reflect criminal convictions without a statutory time limit for felonies, though consumer reporting agencies are restricted from reporting certain misdemeanor convictions older than seven years in some contexts. Professional licensing boards in Tennessee may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even if a county agency destroys physical records at the end of a retention period, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.