Davidson County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In Davidson County?
A search warrant in Davidson County is a legal document issued by a judicial officer that authorizes law enforcement personnel to search specified premises, vehicles, or persons for evidence of a crime and to seize such evidence if found. Pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41, search warrants must be based on probable cause supported by oath or affirmation. The warrant must particularly describe the property or person to be searched and the evidence, contraband, fruits of crime, or other items to be seized.
Search warrants in Davidson County are typically executed by officers of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and must be executed within a specified time period, usually within 5 days of issuance. The execution of a search warrant must comply with constitutional requirements, including:
- Proper announcement of authority and purpose before entry (knock and announce rule)
- Reasonable time for occupants to respond before forced entry
- Execution during daytime hours unless specifically authorized for nighttime execution
- Presence of the warrant during the search
The Criminal Court Clerk of Metropolitan Nashville maintains records of search warrants after they have been executed and returned.
Criminal Court Clerk's Office 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120 Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: 615-862-5601 Criminal Court Clerk of Nashville
Are Warrants Public Records In Davidson County?
Warrants in Davidson County are generally considered public records under Tennessee's Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503), which provides that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee. However, access to warrant information may be restricted in certain circumstances.
Active warrants that have not yet been served may have limited public accessibility for the following reasons:
- To prevent flight of the subject
- To protect officer safety during warrant execution
- To preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations
Once a warrant has been executed and returned to the court, the warrant and related documents typically become accessible as public records. Citizens may access these records through:
- Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk's online case search system
- In-person requests at the Criminal Court Clerk's Office
- Written requests submitted to the appropriate clerk's office
The Davidson County General Sessions Court maintains records of warrants issued by General Sessions judges, while the Circuit Court Clerk maintains records for warrants issued in Circuit Court cases.
How Do I Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Davidson County?
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Davidson County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The most direct method is to contact the Davidson County Sheriff's Office or the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department's Warrants Division.
The Police Criminal Warrants Division maintains records of all active criminal warrants in Davidson County and can provide warrant status information to individuals who provide proper identification.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department - Warrants Division 811 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: 615-862-8600 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Additional methods to check warrant status include:
- Visiting the Criminal Court Clerk's Office in person with valid identification
- Utilizing the online Criminal Court case information system
- Contacting the Davidson County Sheriff's Civil Warrants Division for civil warrants
- Consulting with a licensed attorney who can access court records
Individuals should be prepared to provide their full legal name, date of birth, and other identifying information when inquiring about warrant status.
How To Check for Warrants in Davidson County for Free in 2025
Davidson County residents and other interested parties may check for warrant information at no cost through several government resources. The primary free methods include:
The Criminal Court Clerk's online case search portal provides public access to criminal case information, including warrant status. Users can search by name, case number, or other identifiers without any fee.
In-person visits to the following locations also provide free warrant information:
Criminal Court Clerk's Office 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120 Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: 615-862-5601 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
General Sessions Court Clerk's Office 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120 Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: 615-862-5195 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
For civil warrants, individuals may contact:
Davidson County Sheriff's Civil Warrants Division 506 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: 615-862-8123 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Tennessee Felony Offender Information database also provides free access to information about individuals with felony convictions, which may include warrant information for probation or parole violations.
What Types of Warrants In Davidson County
Davidson County courts issue several types of warrants for different legal purposes. Each type serves a specific function within the criminal justice system:
Arrest Warrants are issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime. These warrants authorize law enforcement to take the named person into custody. Pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, arrest warrants must be supported by an affidavit establishing probable cause and must specifically identify the person to be arrested.
Bench Warrants are issued by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date or violates a court order. These warrants direct law enforcement to bring the person before the court.
Search Warrants authorize law enforcement to search specified locations for evidence of criminal activity. As required by the Fourth Amendment and Tennessee law, these warrants must describe with particularity the place to be searched and items to be seized.
Civil Warrants are issued in non-criminal matters, often related to:
- Evictions (detainer warrants)
- Debt collection
- Child support enforcement
- Other civil disputes
Capias Warrants are issued for the arrest of individuals indicted by a grand jury.
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office is primarily responsible for serving civil warrants, while the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department typically executes criminal warrants.
What Warrants in Davidson County Contain
Warrants issued in Davidson County must contain specific information to be legally valid. In accordance with Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure and relevant statutes, warrants typically include:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name of the subject (and aliases if known)
- Date of birth and/or age
- Physical description (height, weight, race, gender, distinguishing features)
- Last known address
Legal Elements:
- Case number and court of issuance
- Statutory citation of the alleged offense
- Date of alleged offense
- Brief description of the criminal conduct alleged
- Signature of the issuing judicial officer
- Date of issuance
- Bond amount (if applicable)
For Search Warrants:
- Precise description of the location to be searched
- Detailed list of items to be seized
- Time constraints for execution
The Criminal Court Clerk maintains the official records of all criminal warrants issued in Davidson County. These documents must comply with the requirements set forth in Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4 for arrest warrants and Rule 41 for search warrants.
Who Issues Warrants In Davidson County
In Davidson County, the authority to issue warrants is vested in specific judicial officers as prescribed by Tennessee law. The following officials have the power to issue warrants within their respective jurisdictions:
General Sessions Court Judges have authority to issue arrest warrants, search warrants, and bench warrants for cases within their jurisdiction. The Davidson County General Sessions Court handles preliminary matters in criminal cases and certain civil matters.
Criminal Court Judges issue warrants in felony cases and other matters within their jurisdiction. The Criminal Courts are located in the Justice A.A. Birch Building at:
Justice A.A. Birch Building 408 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201
Circuit Court Judges may issue warrants in certain cases, particularly those involving violations of orders issued by the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains records of these warrants.
Magistrates appointed by the courts may also be authorized to issue certain types of warrants, particularly during non-business hours.
The process for issuing warrants typically begins with a law enforcement officer or prosecutor presenting an affidavit establishing probable cause to the judicial officer. Pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, the judicial officer must determine that probable cause exists before issuing the warrant.
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Davidson County
Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Davidson County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The most comprehensive method is to contact the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department's Warrants Division directly.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department - Warrants Division 811 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: 615-862-8600 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
For online verification, the Criminal Court Clerk's case information system provides searchable access to warrant information. Users can search by name and other identifiers to determine if outstanding warrants exist.
For civil warrants, individuals should contact:
Davidson County Sheriff's Civil Warrants Division 506 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: 615-862-8123 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Third parties searching for warrant information about another person should be aware that while warrant information is generally public record, certain limitations may apply regarding the disclosure of specific details. The Davidson County Chancery Court Clerk's public records search may also contain relevant information for certain types of warrants.
How To Check Federal Warrants In Davidson County
Federal warrants differ from state and local warrants and are issued by federal courts for violations of federal law. These warrants are not maintained in Davidson County's local court systems but are instead processed through the federal judicial system.
To check for federal warrants that may be active in Davidson County, individuals should contact:
United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee 801 Broadway, Room 800 Nashville, TN 37203 Phone: 615-736-5498 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
United States Marshals Service - Middle District of Tennessee 801 Broadway, Suite 1170 Nashville, TN 37203 Phone: 615-736-5417 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Federal warrant information is not typically available through online public access systems due to security concerns. Individuals with reason to believe they may be subject to a federal warrant are advised to:
- Consult with a federal criminal defense attorney
- Surrender voluntarily through an attorney to potentially negotiate more favorable conditions
- Contact the U.S. Marshals Service with proper identification
The federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system may provide limited information about federal cases but does not typically display active warrant information.
How Long Do Warrants Last In Davidson County?
Warrants issued in Davidson County remain active until they are executed, recalled by the court, or otherwise resolved through legal processes. There is no automatic expiration date for most warrants under Tennessee law.
For arrest warrants, the following principles apply:
- Warrants remain in effect indefinitely until served or recalled
- The statute of limitations for the underlying offense does not invalidate an existing warrant
- Warrants become part of state and national databases, potentially resulting in arrest anywhere in the United States
For search warrants, Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41 specifies:
- Search warrants must be executed within a specified time period, typically within 5 days of issuance
- After execution, the warrant and inventory must be returned promptly to the issuing court
- If not executed within the specified time, the warrant becomes void
The Criminal Court Clerk maintains records of active warrants in Davidson County. Individuals with questions about the status of a specific warrant should contact the clerk's office or the appropriate law enforcement agency.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Davidson County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Davidson County varies depending on circumstances, but the process is designed to balance thoroughness with efficiency. Under normal circumstances, the process typically requires:
- Preparation of the affidavit and warrant application by law enforcement: 1-3 hours
- Review by prosecutor (if required): 1-2 hours
- Presentation to judicial officer and review: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Processing and recording by court clerk: 30 minutes to 1 hour
In urgent situations, expedited procedures exist for obtaining search warrants. Tennessee law permits:
- Electronic submission of warrant applications
- Telephonic warrants in certain emergency circumstances
- After-hours warrant approval through on-call judges or magistrates
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department's Warrants Division coordinates with the Davidson County District Attorney's Office and judicial officers to facilitate the warrant process. The legal standard for issuance remains consistent regardless of timing: probable cause must be established through sworn testimony or affidavit.
Search Warrant Records in Davidson County
Criminal Court case information system
Davidson County public records search
Tennessee Felony Offender Information database
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Warrants Division
Davidson County Sheriff's Civil Warrants Division
Criminal Court Clerk of Nashville