Sumner County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Sumner County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Sumner County may access publicly available information through SumnerRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Sumner County, Tennessee, may include a range of documents and data points generated through the criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final court disposition. Users may find information such as:
- Arrest records and booking reports
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor charge histories
- Warrant information
- Inmate and jail roster data
- Sex offender registry entries
Records can be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online government portals. The following five methods outline the primary channels through which members of the public may obtain criminal records.
1. County Court Records
The Sumner County Criminal Court Clerk maintains case files for felony and criminal matters heard in the 18th Judicial District.
Sumner County Criminal Court Clerk
100 Public Square, Suite 201
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-4361
Sumner County Criminal Court Clerk
Members of the public may visit the clerk's office in person during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate date of birth or case number. Public access terminals are available on-site for self-service case lookups.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Sumner County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters.
Sumner County Sheriff's Office
117 W. Smith Street
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 452-1421
Sumner County Sheriff's Office
Arrest and booking records may be requested in person or by written request. Fees for copies are assessed per page in accordance with Tennessee public records law. The current jail roster is accessible online through the Sheriff's Office website.
3. Online Court Search
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts operates the Tennessee Court Case Information portal, which allows members of the public to search for case information by party name, case number, or attorney. Users should enter the full legal name of the subject and refine results by county. Note that not all historical records are available online, and the portal does not substitute for a certified background check.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the state's central criminal history repository.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Formal criminal history background checks require submission of a completed request form, applicable fees, and in many cases fingerprint cards. The TBI's criminal history background check portal provides instructions for both individual and employer requests. Processing times vary based on submission method.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Sumner County Criminal Court Clerk at 100 Public Square, Suite 201, Gallatin, TN 37066. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, government entities are required to respond to public records requests promptly, with a response generally provided within seven business days.
What Is Sumner County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Sumner County is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing records generated by law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities. Under Tennessee law, criminal records are created and updated at each stage of the criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification of criminal offense under Tennessee law, while misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court and law enforcement records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are subject to confidentiality protections and are sealed from public access under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Sumner County include:
- Sumner County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking reports
- Sumner County Criminal Court and General Sessions Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing records
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions
A criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The Sumner County court system serves as the primary repository for court-generated criminal records within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Sumner County
Criminal records in Sumner County are public records under Tennessee law. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by law. The Tennessee Public Records Act broadly defines public records to include documents, papers, and electronic data created or received by government entities in the conduct of official business.
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court proceedings, case filings, and final dispositions. The Tennessee Attorney General has affirmed that court records are presumptively open to public inspection under the Public Records Act.
Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed under § 37-1-153
- Expunged records, which are removed from public access upon court order
- Records subject to active investigative privilege
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by judicial order
Federal criminal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal statutes and are not governed by Tennessee's Public Records Act. Guidance on the scope of Tennessee's open records law is available through the Tennessee Attorney General's Office.
How To Find Criminal Records in Sumner County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resources for Sumner County criminal records include:
- Tennessee Court Case Information — Searchable by party name or case number; contains case filings, hearing dates, and dispositions for criminal matters
- Sumner County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster — Current jail population, booking information, and charges
- Sumner County Government Portal — Links to court clerk offices and related county services
To search the court case portal, users should enter the subject's full legal name, select Sumner County as the jurisdiction, and filter by case type. Searching by case number yields the most precise results. No registration is required to access the public case search tool.
State-Level Resources
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Criminal History — Formal background check submissions
- Tennessee Courts Portal — Statewide court information and case access
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most accurate and complete results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as records may be distributed across court, sheriff, and state systems
- Be aware that sealed or expunged records will not appear in public search results
- Older records predating digital systems may not be available online
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating electronic filing systems are not fully digitized and may require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official certified background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Sumner County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Tennessee law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, government entities may charge fees only for copies, not for inspection. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Sumner County Criminal Court Clerk's office, 100 Public Square, Suite 201, Gallatin, TN 37066, during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
- Tennessee Court Case Information portal — Free case search by name or case number
- Sumner County Sheriff's Office — Free online inmate roster and booking information
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Sumner County Sheriff's Office and may be inspected in person at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Item | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$2.00 per page (varies) |
| Official TBI background check | $29.00 (standard) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee |
Fee schedules are established pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506 and may be updated by the relevant agency. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Sumner County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number (where applicable)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number and jail facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond information
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and case type
- Charges and applicable statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered
- Attorney of record
Disposition
- Verdict or plea outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details, including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision
- Probation or parole status
- Appeals filed or pending
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the TBI Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI notations
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under state law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed pretrial diversion programs
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation through the TBI criminal history records portal. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and legal proceedings.
How Long Does Sumner County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Tennessee's records retention schedules, administered through the Tennessee State Library and Archives, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county and state agencies. The Tennessee State Library and Archives publishes official retention schedules applicable to court and law enforcement records.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted; subject to expungement |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; destruction timeline governed by § 37-1-153 |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency-Specific Retention
- County courts: Court records are retained permanently in accordance with Tennessee judicial records retention schedules
- Sheriff and jail records: Booking and arrest records are retained for a minimum period established by state schedule, with electronic records often retained longer than paper originals
- TBI State Repository: Conviction records are maintained permanently; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation serves as the authoritative state repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper originals. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic version remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or digital elimination of a record per retention schedule
- Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use
- Expungement is a legal process by which a court orders the removal of a record from public access; eligibility is governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, and petition forms are available through the Tennessee Courts system
Expungement
Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, eligible individuals may petition the court to expunge qualifying arrest records, dismissed charges, and certain convictions. Upon entry of an expungement order, the record is removed from public access. Law enforcement agencies may retain access to expunged records for official purposes. Even if county-level physical records are destroyed, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless a valid expungement order has been entered and transmitted to all relevant agencies.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by federal law and are separate from Tennessee state and county records. Federal retention rules differ from state requirements.
Practical Implications
Prior convictions may appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, or professional licensing. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act typically cover a seven-to-ten year period, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of age.