Davidson County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Davidson County

Arrest records in Davidson County are considered public records pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). Members of the public may access these records with certain limitations established by state law. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County maintains these records in accordance with state statutes governing public access to government information.

Public access to arrest records serves several governmental purposes:

• Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
• Enables citizens to monitor the activities of government agencies
• Assists in public safety awareness
• Supports the constitutional right to information about governmental proceedings

The Central Records Division of the Metro Nashville Police Department serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within Davidson County. This division processes requests for arrest information in compliance with Tennessee state law.

Metro Nashville Police Department - Central Records Division 200 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 862-7631 Metro Nashville Police Records

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

While arrest records are generally public, certain exceptions may apply under T.C.A. § 10-7-504, including:

• Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
• Juvenile arrest records (with limited exceptions)
• Records sealed by court order
• Information that would compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest

What's in Davidson County Arrest Records

Davidson County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Criminal Court Clerk of Davidson County in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-7-123.

Standard arrest records in Davidson County typically include:

• Biographical information of the arrested individual (full name, date of birth, address)
• Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
• Date, time, and location of arrest
• Arresting agency and officer identification
• Enumeration of charges filed (including Tennessee Code citations)
• Booking information and assigned case numbers
• Fingerprint data and identification numbers
• Preliminary hearing dates and initial court appearances
• Bond information and release status

The Criminal Court Clerk maintains records related to court proceedings following arrest:

Criminal Court Clerk of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County Justice A.A. Birch Building 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120 Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 862-5601 Davidson County Criminal Court Records

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A), these records must be made available for inspection by Tennessee citizens during regular business hours. Requestors seeking copies may be required to pay reasonable costs associated with reproduction as permitted under state law.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Davidson County in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Davidson County as of 2025. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has established procedures for public access to these documents in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-503.

Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following methods:

• In-person requests can be submitted at the Central Records Division of the Metro Nashville Police Department. Requestors must complete a Records Request Form and present valid government-issued identification.

• Online portal access is available through the Criminal Court Clerk's website for cases that have been processed through the court system. This service provides 24-hour access to public case information.

• Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Central Records Division. All written requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case number (if known).

• Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) provides statewide access to felony offender information, including arrest data for serious offenses.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department - Records Division 200 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 862-7631 Nashville Police Records

Hours for In-Person Requests: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Requestors should note that processing times vary based on record age, complexity, and departmental workload. Standard processing for non-expedited requests typically requires 5-10 business days pursuant to departmental policy.

How To Find Davidson County Arrest Records Online

Davidson County provides several digital platforms for accessing arrest records electronically. These online resources have been developed in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act and are maintained by various agencies within the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

The primary online resources for arrest record searches include:

• The Criminal Court Clerk's online portal offers searchable access to criminal case information, including arrest data for cases that have proceeded to court. Users may search by name, case number, or citation number.

• The Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) provides statewide access to information on individuals convicted of felonies, including arrest data. This database is maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction.

• The Circuit Court Clerk's case search function allows access to civil cases that may contain information related to arrests in certain circumstances.

For comprehensive online searches, users should note the following requirements:

• Full legal name of the subject (last name, first name)
• Case numbers (when available)
• Date range for the search
• Date of birth (for more accurate results)

Online access is available 24 hours per day, though system maintenance may occasionally restrict availability. Technical support for these systems is provided during regular business hours:

Davidson County Information Technology Services 700 2nd Ave. South, Suite 301 Nashville, TN 37210 Phone: (615) 862-6222 Metropolitan Government of Nashville

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can You Search Davidson County Arrest Records for Free?

Davidson County provides several no-cost options for accessing arrest records in accordance with T.C.A. § 10-7-503, which establishes the right of Tennessee citizens to inspect public records without charge. While inspection is free, reproduction fees may apply for copies of documents.

Free access options include:

• In-person inspection of arrest records at the Metro Nashville Police Department's Central Records Division is available without charge during regular business hours. Visitors must present valid identification and complete a records request form.

• The Criminal Court Clerk's online portal provides basic case information at no cost, including defendant name, charges, court dates, and case status.

• Public access terminals are available at the Criminal Justice Center for searching court records related to arrests without fee.

• The Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) is a free resource for searching felony offender information, including arrest data for serious offenses.

For more detailed records or certified copies, the following fee schedule applies:

• Standard arrest report: $5.00 per report
• Certified copies: $5.00 certification fee plus $0.50 per page
• Extensive research requests: $25.00 per hour research fee (first hour waived)

Metro Nashville Police Department - Records Division 200 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 862-7631 Nashville Police Records Division

Hours for Free Inspection: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Davidson County

The expungement process in Davidson County provides a legal mechanism for removing eligible arrest records from public access pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101. This procedure is administered through the Criminal Court Clerk's Office under judicial oversight.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Davidson County include:

• Cases resulting in dismissal or nolle prosequi
• Arrests that did not result in indictment or presentment
• Verdicts of not guilty
• Successful completion of diversion programs
• Certain non-violent offenses after completion of sentence and waiting period

The expungement process requires:

1. Filing an Application for Expungement with the Criminal Court Clerk
2. Payment of the statutory filing fee ($280 as of 2025)
3. Verification of eligibility by the District Attorney's Office
4. Judicial review and approval
5. Distribution of the expungement order to relevant agencies

Fee waivers may be available for indigent applicants through an Affidavit of Indigency filed with the court. Additionally, certain expungements for dismissed charges may qualify for fee exemptions under T.C.A. § 40-32-101(g)(1).

Criminal Court Clerk - Expungement Division Justice A.A. Birch Building 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120 Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 862-5601 Criminal Court Clerk

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What Happens After Arrest in Davidson County?

Following an arrest in Davidson County, individuals enter a structured judicial process governed by Tennessee criminal procedure statutes and local court rules. This process begins immediately after physical custody and continues through several defined stages.

The post-arrest procedure typically follows this sequence:

1. Booking Process: Arrestees are transported to the Davidson County Sheriff's Office intake facility where biographical information is recorded, fingerprints and photographs are taken, and personal property is inventoried.

2. Initial Appearance: Within 48 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a Judicial Commissioner for:

   • Formal notification of charges
   • Determination of probable cause
   • Setting of bail or bond conditions
   • Appointment of counsel for indigent defendants

3. General Sessions Court Appearance: The first substantive court hearing occurs in General Sessions Court where defendants may:

   • Enter a plea
   • Request a preliminary hearing
   • Negotiate plea agreements for misdemeanor offenses

4. Grand Jury Proceedings: Felony cases proceed to the Davidson County Grand Jury for indictment consideration, a process that typically occurs within 30-60 days of arrest.

5. Criminal Court Arraignment: Following indictment, defendants appear in Criminal Court for formal arraignment and case assignment to a specific division.

Davidson County Sheriff's Office 506 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 862-8123 Metropolitan Government of Nashville

Visitation Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Davidson County?

Arrest records in Davidson County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the Tennessee Public Records Commission and local archival policies. These schedules comply with T.C.A. § 10-7-503 regarding public records preservation.

The standard retention periods for arrest-related records are:

• Arrest Reports: Maintained permanently in electronic format; paper records may be destroyed after digitization and quality control verification
• Booking Information: Retained for 75 years from date of arrest
• Fingerprint Cards: Preserved permanently by both local agencies and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
• Arrest Photographs: Maintained for the duration of the individual's lifetime
• Investigation Files: Retained for 25 years for solved cases; unsolved cases are maintained permanently

Records subject to expungement orders are removed from public access immediately upon receipt of a valid court order, though certain non-public indices may be maintained for administrative purposes in accordance with T.C.A. § 40-32-101(b)(1).

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department's Records Management Section oversees the preservation of these records:

Metro Nashville Police Department - Records Management 200 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 862-7631 Nashville Police Records

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

How to Find Mugshots in Davidson County

Booking photographs, commonly referred to as mugshots, are classified as public records in Davidson County pursuant to T.C.A. § 10-7-504. These images are created during the booking process and maintained by the Davidson County Sheriff's Office.

Individuals seeking mugshots may access them through several official channels:

• In-person requests can be submitted at the Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requestors must provide the subject's full name and approximate date of arrest.

• Written requests may be submitted via mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope. These requests must include the subject's name, date of birth, and booking date if known.

• Online resources include the Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup for serious offenses, though this database does not include all local arrests.

The Sheriff's Office applies the following fee schedule for mugshot reproduction:

• Digital copy (email): $5.00 per image
• Printed copy: $10.00 per image
• Certified copy: $15.00 per image

Davidson County Sheriff's Office - Records Division 506 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 862-8123 Metropolitan Government of Nashville

Hours for Records Requests: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Requestors should note that certain mugshots may be withheld if they are part of an ongoing investigation or if the subject is a juvenile, pursuant to exceptions outlined in T.C.A. § 10-7-504.

Lookup Arrest Records in Davidson County

Metropolitan Government of Nashville

Nashville Police Records Division

Davidson County Criminal Court Records

Davidson County Circuit Court Records

Tennessee Felony Offender Database

Tennessee Felony Offender Search Tool