Rutherford County Criminal Records
What Is Rutherford County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Rutherford County, Tennessee constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records encompass a comprehensive chronology of criminal proceedings from initial arrest through final disposition and sentencing. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, criminal records are maintained as part of the public record, with specific exceptions as provided by law.
Criminal records in Rutherford County are categorized by several important distinctions:
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Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody based on probable cause but do not indicate guilt. Conviction records document when an individual has been found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea agreement.
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Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felony records document more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more. Misdemeanor records document less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration.
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Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Adult records (18 and older) are generally accessible to the public. Juvenile records (under 18) are typically sealed and confidential under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
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Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants document current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Rutherford County:
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
940 New Salem Highway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 898-7770
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk - Criminal Division
116 W. Lytle Street, Room 102
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7831
Circuit Court Clerk - Criminal
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
(615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Rutherford County criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation/parole information. The Circuit Court Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian for court-related criminal records in the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Rutherford County
Criminal records in Rutherford County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act, codified in Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503. This statute 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, and those in charge of the records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen, unless otherwise provided by state law."
The statute further specifies that "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." This legal framework ensures transparency in government operations, including criminal justice proceedings.
Public criminal records in Rutherford County typically include:
- Adult arrest records
- Court proceedings and dockets
- Conviction records
- Sentencing information
- Incarceration records
- Probation and parole status
However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:
- Active criminal investigations
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions for violent offenses)
- Expunged records
- Records protected by other state or federal privacy laws
- Records related to victims of certain crimes, particularly domestic violence or sexual offenses
The Tennessee Supreme Court has established that while criminal records are presumptively open, this presumption may be overcome when privacy interests or other compelling reasons outweigh the public's right to access, as determined in Tennessean v. Metropolitan Gov't of Nashville.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Rutherford County must follow established procedures and may be required to provide identification. While inspection of records is generally free, fees may apply for copies in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i).
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Rutherford County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Rutherford County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing varying levels of detail.
For in-person requests at the Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk's office:
- Visit the Criminal Division of the Circuit Court Clerk's office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth or case number.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Pay applicable fees for copies if needed ($0.50 per page for standard copies).
- For certified copies, additional fees apply ($5.00 per document).
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk - Criminal Division
116 W. Lytle Street, Room 102
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7831
Circuit Court Clerk - Criminal
For mail requests:
- Submit a written request to the Circuit Court Clerk's office including:
- Subject's full name and any known aliases
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if known)
- Specific records requested
- Return address
- Contact phone number
- Check or money order for applicable fees
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing.
For criminal background checks through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation:
- Visit the TBI website or office location.
- Complete the required background check request form.
- Submit fingerprints if required for a comprehensive check.
- Pay the required fee ($29.00 per background check).
- Receive results via mail or secure electronic delivery.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
(615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
For active warrant information:
- Contact the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division.
- Provide the name of the individual in question.
- Verify your identity and purpose for the inquiry.
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
940 New Salem Highway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 898-7770
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
Requestors should note that certain records may require court orders for access, particularly sealed or expunged records. Additionally, the Circuit Court calendar provides information about upcoming court proceedings.
How To Find Criminal Records in Rutherford County Online?
Rutherford County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope and detail of available information may vary by system.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Rutherford County include:
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Tennessee Court Information System (TnCIS) - This statewide portal provides access to court case information, including criminal cases filed in Rutherford County Circuit and General Sessions Courts.
- Navigate to the TnCIS Public Access portal
- Select "Rutherford County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- View case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information
- No registration required for basic searches
- Enhanced access available for registered users ($95 annual subscription)
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Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search - This database provides current information on individuals incarcerated in the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.
- Visit the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the "Inmate Search" section
- Search by name or booking number
- View booking information, charges, bond amounts, and next court dates
- Updated daily with current inmate population
- No registration required
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Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) - This statewide database provides information on felony offenders who are or have been in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction.
- Access the Tennessee FOIL database
- Search by name, TDOC ID, or other identifiers
- View conviction information, sentence details, and custody status
- Information limited to felony convictions only
- No registration required
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Rutherford County Circuit Court Records - The Circuit Court Clerk's website provides access to court calendars and basic case information.
- Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's website
- Navigate to the Court Calendar section
- Search by date to view scheduled court proceedings
- Limited to calendar information only
- No registration required
Users should note that while these online resources provide valuable information, they may not contain complete criminal history records. Certain documents, such as affidavits, police reports, and some court filings, may only be available through in-person requests. Additionally, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-504, some sensitive information may be redacted from online records.
Can You Search Rutherford County Criminal Records for Free?
Rutherford County provides several options for free access to criminal records, in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503), which states that "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:
Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk - Criminal Division
116 W. Lytle Street, Room 102
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7831
Circuit Court Clerk - Criminal
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Rutherford County Judicial Center Law Library
116 W. Lytle Street, 3rd Floor
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(615) 898-7831
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Free online resources include:
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Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search
- Provides current inmate information
- Includes charges, booking dates, and bond information
- Updated daily
- No registration or fees required
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Tennessee Court Information System (TnCIS) - Basic Access
- Offers limited case information without registration
- Includes case numbers, parties, charges, and next court dates
- Does not include document images or complete case histories
- Free for basic searches
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Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL)
- Provides information on felony offenders in state custody
- Includes conviction information and sentence details
- FOIL database is maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction
- No fees or registration required
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Rutherford County Circuit Court Calendar
- Lists scheduled court proceedings
- Searchable by date
- Available on the Circuit Court website
- Free access without registration
While inspection of records is free, fees apply for copies in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(i):
- Standard copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Background checks through TBI: $29.00
Members of the public should note that while basic record inspection is free, comprehensive criminal history reports typically require payment of established fees. Additionally, certain enhanced online access features may require subscription payments.
What's Included in a Rutherford County Criminal Record?
Rutherford County criminal records contain standardized information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail/bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit Criminal Court or General Sessions Court)
- Filing date
- Charges filed with corresponding Tennessee Code Annotated statutes
- Classification of charges (felony class A-E or misdemeanor class A-C)
- Plea information
- Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
- Judge assigned to the case
- Preliminary hearing information
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and conditions
- Completion or violation of sentence terms
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history in Rutherford County
The Circuit Court Clerk's Criminal Division maintains these records for cases processed through the Rutherford County court system. Records may vary in completeness depending on the stage of proceedings and the specific agencies involved in the case.
Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, certain records may be eligible for expungement under specific circumstances, in which case they would be removed from public access.
How Long Does Rutherford County Keep Criminal Records?
Rutherford County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Tennessee Public Records Commission and codified in Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-401. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various types of criminal records, after which records may be archived or destroyed according to established procedures.
The retention periods for common criminal record types in Rutherford County include:
- Felony Case Files: Permanent retention required for murder cases; 20 years after case closure for other felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic Violation Records: 3 years after case disposition
- Arrest Records: 5 years after arrest date for arrests not resulting in charges; otherwise maintained with corresponding case files
- Booking Records and Mugshots: 5 years after release from custody
- Grand Jury Records: Permanent retention required
- Court Dockets: Permanent retention required
- Warrants (Executed): Maintained with corresponding case files
- Warrants (Unexecuted): Until recalled by the court or statute of limitations expires
- Probation Records: 10 years after completion of probation
- Expunged Records: Physically destroyed upon court order pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101
The Circuit Court Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian for court-related criminal records and adheres to these retention schedules. Records of historical significance may be transferred to the Tennessee State Library and Archives for permanent preservation after their active use period ends.
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as physical records. The county's electronic case management system maintains digital records according to the same schedules, though technological changes may necessitate migration to new storage formats over time.
Members of the public should note that while records may be maintained for the periods specified above, older records may be stored in archives and require additional time to retrieve. Additionally, some older records may only exist in physical format and not be available through online systems.