Blount County Public Records /Blount County Criminal Records

Blount County Criminal Records

What Is Blount County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Blount County, Tennessee constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, which establishes the framework for public records in the state.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Blount County Sheriff's Office, Maryville Police Department, and Alcoa Police Department. These records contain details of the arrest but do not necessarily indicate guilt.
Conviction Records: Official documentation of cases where individuals have been found guilty of criminal offenses, either through trial proceedings or plea agreements.
Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, including violent offenses, significant property crimes, and certain drug violations.
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less severe offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year.

Juvenile records in Blount County are generally sealed and not accessible to the public under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153, which protects the confidentiality of proceedings involving minors.

The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Blount County include:

Blount County Sheriff's Office
940 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5000
Blount County Sheriff's Office

Blount County Circuit Court Clerk
930 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5500
Blount County Circuit Court

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
(615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, plea proceedings, trial outcomes, sentencing information, and probation or parole status. These records serve as the official history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system in Blount County.

Are Criminal Records Public In Blount County

Criminal records in Blount County are generally accessible to the public under Tennessee's open records laws. The Tennessee Public Records Act, codified in Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, establishes that "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours... be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state."

This statutory provision creates a presumption of openness for government records, including most criminal records. The law specifically states:

"The custodian of a public record or the custodian's designee shall promptly make available for inspection any public record not specifically exempt from disclosure."

However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:

Active Investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504(a)(2).
Juvenile Records: Court proceedings involving minors under 18 years of age are confidential pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153, with limited exceptions for certain violent offenses.
Expunged Records: Criminal records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101.
Sealed Cases: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.

Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are generally accessible to the public through the Blount County court system. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains the official criminal history repository for the state, providing criminal background checks that include Blount County records for authorized purposes.

Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Blount County must follow established procedures for record requests, which may include submitting formal applications and paying applicable fees for copies or certified documents.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Blount County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Blount County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches under current Tennessee law.

In-Person Requests at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office:

Visit the Blount County Justice Center during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Complete a public records request form, available at the clerk's counter.
Provide specific information about the case or individual, including full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable search and copy fees as established by county ordinance.

Blount County Circuit Court Clerk
930 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5500
Blount County Circuit Court

Mail Requests:

Submit a written request to the Blount County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
Include the subject's full name, approximate case date, and any other identifying information.
Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees.
Allow 5-10 business days for processing.

Online Access:

Navigate to the Blount County Court Records Search portal.
Register for an account if required or proceed as a guest user.
Enter search criteria such as name, case number, or filing date.
Review search results showing case status, charges, and disposition information.
Note that online records currently include cases filed from August 2019 to present.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Background Check:

Submit a request through the TBI Criminal History Information Request System.
Provide required identifying information and payment.
Indicate whether the request is for personal records or third-party information.
Pay the statutory fee of $29 per record check.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
(615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-6-120, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is authorized to process criminal history information requests for authorized purposes, including employment screening, licensing, and personal review.

How To Find Criminal Records in Blount County Online?

Blount County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records online. These resources allow members of the public to search for case information without visiting government offices in person.

The primary online resources for criminal records in Blount County include:

Blount County Court Records Search Portal:

Access the Blount County Online Court Records Search system.
This database contains cases filed from August 1, 2019 to present.
Search by defendant name, case number, or filing date.
Results display case type, filing date, charges, and current status.
No registration is required for basic searches.

Blount County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search:

Visit the Blount County Sheriff's Office website.
Navigate to the "Inmate Search" section.
Enter the individual's name or booking number.
View current custody status, charges, bond information, and booking photos.
This database only includes currently incarcerated individuals and recent releases.

Tennessee State Court System (TNCourts.gov):

Access the Tennessee State Courts Case Information System.
Select Blount County from the jurisdiction menu.
Search by party name, case number, or attorney.
Results include case type, filing date, scheduled hearings, and judgment information.
Registration may be required for detailed case information.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Portal:

Visit the TBI Criminal History Information Request System.
Create an account or log in as a registered user.
Submit a criminal history request with required identifying information.
Pay the statutory fee ($29 per record).
Receive comprehensive criminal history information from all Tennessee jurisdictions, including Blount County.

Users should note that online records may not include:

Cases filed prior to August 2019 (for the county portal)
Sealed or expunged records
Juvenile proceedings
Ongoing investigations
Certain domestic violence cases with protective orders

For comprehensive historical searches or certified copies of records, in-person requests at the Blount County Circuit Court Clerk's Office may be necessary.

Can You Search Blount County Criminal Records for Free?

Tennessee law provides for public inspection of criminal records at no cost, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), "A records custodian may not assess a charge to view a public record unless otherwise required by law."

Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:

Blount County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
930 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5500
Blount County Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Blount County General Sessions Court
928 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 273-5800
Blount County General Sessions Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Both court offices provide public access computers for searching case records at no charge. Visitors must present valid identification and may be required to sign in at the clerk's counter.

Free online resources include:

Blount County Online Court Records Search: This portal provides free access to criminal cases filed since August 2019. No registration or fees are required for basic searches.
Blount County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster: The current jail population and recent releases can be viewed online at no cost.
Tennessee Court Information System (TIS): Basic case information is available without charge through the state court system website.

While inspection is free, the following fee structure applies to copies and certified documents:

Standard copies: $0.50 per page
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
Complete case file copies: Variable based on page count
Background checks through TBI: $29.00 per search

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation charges statutory fees for official criminal history reports, as authorized by Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-6-120. These fees cannot be waived except in specific circumstances outlined in state law.

What's Included in a Blount County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Blount County authorities contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at time of arrest
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility information
Arresting circumstances (as documented in public reports)

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction (General Sessions or Circuit Criminal)
Judge assigned to the case
Formal charges filed by the District Attorney
Classification of offenses (felony class A-E or misdemeanor class A-C)
Plea information
Attorney of record
Hearing dates and continuances
Pretrial motions and rulings

Disposition and Sentencing:

Verdict or plea outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines, court costs, and restitution
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or program mandates
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations
Sentence completion date

Additional Information:

Active warrants or pending charges
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
Probation or parole status reports
Post-conviction relief petitions
Expungement applications

Criminal records in Blount County are maintained in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504, which governs confidentiality provisions for certain records. Information related to ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile proceedings may be redacted or excluded from public criminal records.

How Long Does Blount County Keep Criminal Records?

Blount County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Tennessee Public Records Commission and codified in state law. These retention periods ensure the preservation of important legal documentation while allowing for the eventual disposition of outdated records.

The primary retention periods for criminal records in Blount County are as follows:

Arrest Records and Booking Information:

Felony arrests: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor arrests: 10 years after case disposition
Arrest reports: 10 years from date of creation
Booking photographs: Permanent retention for felonies; 10 years for misdemeanors

Court Records:

Felony case files: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after final disposition
Traffic violations: 10 years after final disposition
Court dockets: Permanent retention
Judgment orders: Permanent retention
Warrants (executed): Retained with corresponding case file
Warrants (unexecuted): Until recalled by the court or statute of limitations expires

Incarceration Records:

Jail intake and release records: 10 years after release
Inmate medical records: 10 years after release
Disciplinary reports: 5 years after creation

Probation and Parole Records:

Felony probation files: 10 years after completion of sentence
Misdemeanor probation files: 5 years after completion of sentence

These retention periods are established pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-404, which authorizes the Public Records Commission to determine proper retention schedules. The complete Records Disposition Authorization (RDA) schedule for Tennessee courts and law enforcement agencies provides detailed guidance on record retention.

It is important to note that expunged records receive special handling. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, when a court orders expungement, all public records relating to the offense must be removed from public access and either destroyed or sealed, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Digital records maintained in the Blount County court management system currently date back to August 2019 in the online public access portal, though older records remain available through in-person requests at the clerk's office.