Criminal records in Blount County, Tennessee, are accessible through several channels. BlountCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information filed in the county. Additional access points include the official Blount County court system, the Blount County Sheriff's Office, and the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Records may also be obtained through state-level repositories. The sections below explain each method, what information is available, and how to request certified copies.
How to Search Criminal Records in Blount
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Blount County. The method you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- BlountCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information from Blount County cases. You can search by name or case number.
- Blount County Online Court Records Search — The county's official portal covers current public court records for cases filed from August 1, 2019, to the present. Search by defendant name or case number.
- Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) — This state-level tool, maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction, allows you to search for individuals convicted of felonies and currently or formerly under state supervision.
In Person
- Visit the Circuit Criminal Court or General Sessions Criminal Court at the Blount County Courthouse. Both courts have public access computer terminals available for record searches.
- All Circuit Criminal and General Sessions cases are open to the public.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Blount County Circuit Court Clerk for copies of criminal case records.
- For general county records, you can also file a public records request through the county's online form.
- For a statewide criminal history check, contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), which serves as the state criminal history repository. Requests can be submitted online through the TBI website or by mail.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the individual (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known — the fastest way to locate a specific case)
Search Blount Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the most direct way to pull up a specific record. Tennessee case numbers follow a structured format that identifies the court, year, case type, and sequence.
A typical Tennessee criminal case number looks like this:
- Court designation — A prefix or code indicating the court (e.g., "C" for Circuit Court or "GS" for General Sessions).
- Year — Two or four digits representing the year the case was filed.
- Case type code — A letter or abbreviation indicating the nature of the case (e.g., "CR" for criminal).
- Sequential number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed within that year and court.
For example, a case number like C-23-CR-1234 would indicate a Circuit Court criminal case filed in 2023. Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on any court documents you have. Even a small variation — a missing dash or wrong prefix — can return no results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Blount
Criminal case records in Blount County typically include several categories of information. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) section the defendant is charged under |
| Charge description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A–E), misdemeanor (Classes A–C), or violation |
| Amended charges | If the original charge was changed through plea negotiation or prosecutorial discretion, the amended charge replaces or supplements the original |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution.
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, motions filed).
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.).
- Closed — All proceedings and obligations (sentencing, probation) are complete.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists to proceed (General Sessions level).
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, possible plea agreements, and trial preparation.
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury.
- Sentencing — The court imposes a penalty after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review hearing — A follow-up to check compliance with probation or other conditions.
Court Results
| Outcome | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The case was dropped by the prosecution or dismissed by the court |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor chose not to pursue the case further |
| Diversion | The defendant entered a pre-trial or judicial diversion program; charges may be dismissed upon completion |
| Bound over | The case was transferred from General Sessions to Circuit Criminal Court for further proceedings |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Blount
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, and other formal purposes.
Where to Request
The Blount County Circuit Court Clerk's office is the primary custodian for criminal case files in both Circuit Criminal Court and General Sessions Criminal Court.
Blount County Circuit Court Clerk
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office at the courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can locate the case and prepare certified copies while you wait or within a short processing window.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), case number (if available), and a description of the records you need. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees payable to the Blount County Circuit Court Clerk.
- Online public records request — For general county records, Blount County offers an online public records request form. For Sheriff's Office records, contact that office directly at 865-273-5000.
For Statewide Criminal History
A formal background check covering statewide records requires a request through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The TBI accepts requests online and by mail, typically requiring the subject's fingerprints and a processing fee.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Blount
Fees for criminal record copies in Tennessee are guided by T.C.A. § 8-21-401 and local fee schedules. The table below reflects standard charges commonly applied in Blount County. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy of court record (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $5.00 |
| TBI state criminal history check | $29.00 |
| FBI federal background check (fingerprint-based) | Additional federal fee applies |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request and the age of the records.
- Mail requests — Typically 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and whether payment is included.
- Online court record searches — Results are immediate for cases filed from August 2019 onward through the county's online search portal.
- Older records — Cases predating the online system may require a visit to the Records Management and Archives office (865-380-4295) or an in-person search at the courthouse.
Fees are subject to change. Always verify current costs with the clerk's office before mailing payment.