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  1. Madison County Court
  2. Madison County Arrest Records

Madison County, Tennessee Arrest Records

Madison County arrest records are documented details of arrests and detentions in Madison County, Tennessee. Under the Tennessee Code Annotated TCA § 40-7, law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest suspects with or without warrants when they witness a crime in progress or have probable cause to believe that suspects committed arrestable acts. Arrests are mandatory when the officer has a warrant.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency. They are assisted by local police departments, including the Jackson Police Department. As required by law, these law enforcement agencies operating within the county generate arrest records as evidence of arrests and detentions. Arrest records are an offender's point of entry into the law enforcement database when they are booked.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Madison, Tennessee?

Yes. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), residents of Madison County may view, inspect, or copy arrest records in the custody of law enforcement agencies, unless otherwise stated by law, such as ongoing investigations, juvenile offender records, and other sensitive information. To make TPRA requests for arrest records, individuals do not have to reside in Madison County. Nonetheless, a photo ID may be necessary, particularly for in-person requests.

What Do Public Madison County Arrest Records Contain?

Madison County arrest records typically contain basic information taken when a suspect is arrested and booked, as required by the Tennessee Public Records Act. The following components of Madison County arrest records are available to the public:

  • The suspect's full name.
  • The suspect's physical characteristics, such as height, sex, complexion, eye color, and weight.
  • The name of the arresting officer and department.
  • The last known address of the suspect.
  • The date, time, and location of the arrest.
  • The charges filed against the individual and the statutes violated.
  • Bail information.

Notwithstanding, the access that the TPRA grants citizens to Madison County arrest records does not extend to sensitive information. The following records are not available for public access:

  • Juvenile records
  • Sealed or expunged records
  • Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
  • Records that may reveal the identity of confidential informants
  • Records of victims of domestic violence
  • Wiretaps
  • Sensitive personal records such as Social Security Numbers, bank account information, and credit or debit card information.

Access to exempted arrest records is limited to the subject of the record and individuals with a court clearance.

Madison County, Tennessee Arrest Search

Interested parties may find Madison County arrest records through the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The department provides an offender search tool on its website. Using the tool, they can conduct a name search or search using the Tennessee Department of Corrections number. Alternatively, requesters may visit the department in person. They may also search for arrests made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the Federal Inmate Locator or the Online Detainee Locator System.

Tennessee Department of Corrections

320 Sixth Avenue North

Nashville, TN 37243-0465

Phone: (615) 741-1000

Madison County Inmate Locator

The Madison County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county, responsible for maintaining law and order. As required by the TPRA, the office provides an inmate lookup tool for inmates housed at the Madison County jail. Record seekers may find arrest records by using the tool on its website, sending a mail request, or visiting the County Sheriff's Office in person at:

Madison County Sheriff's Office

317 Denmark Jackson Road

Denmark, TN 38391

Phone: (731) 423-6000

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Madison County

The TPRA permits record custodians to charge a reasonable fee to make public records available. However, there are multiple avenues for record seekers to access arrest records for free in Madison County, Tennessee. They may contact the Corrections Division of the Madison County Sheriff's Office. Online records may be accessed free of cost, but printed copies may cost a fee. Also, record seekers may use the online offender search tool provided by the Tennessee Department of Corrections on its website.

Alternatively, individuals seeking free Madison County arrest records may look into third-party record databases. Using these third parties, record seekers may perform simple searches for free, but they must pay for comprehensive reports.

There are practical limitations to free access to arrest records. Historical records are not available, and older arrests may be excluded. Also, redacted information, juvenile records, sealed or expunged records, and probation records will not appear. Moreover, the accuracy of the information is not guaranteed.

A photo ID is usually not required, except for in-person requests. Record seekers should have relevant information about the records they seek, such as the name, booking number, arrest date and the arresting agency.

Madison County Arrest Report

A Madison County arrest report is the narrative document prepared by the arresting officer during the arrest and booking of a suspect. It is a chronological account of the occurrences when the arrest was carried out, including the officer's observations, the names and details of witnesses, as well as physical evidence collected, property recovered, or statements given. It typically includes probable cause, warrant information and any seizures, either for security or evidence.

This is different from an arrest record, which is a brief summary or evidence of an arrest. The arrest record is created as an official document that covers essential details about the arrest, including the suspect's physical description and the facts surrounding it. The law requires that law enforcement agencies create arrest records upon arrest and make them accessible on request.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Madison County

In Madison County, under T.C.A. §40-32-101, residents seeking expungement of arrest records may be eligible for such record relief if they meet the requirements. An individual may be eligible for expungement if:

  • The charges against the individual were dismissed
  • A grand jury returned a no true bill
  • The individual was arrested without charge
  • The individual was found not guilty at trial
  • The prosecution decided not to pursue the case any further (nolle prosequi).

Once the individual has determined that they qualify for exemption, they may file a petition for expungement at the court that heard the case. To get their arrest records expunged, petitioners should follow these steps:

  • Obtain a certified copy of the record and relevant information about the case from the courts and law enforcement agencies, including the docket number and the details of the charges.
  • Fill out the required forms and file a case with the court in Madison County where the case originated, either the General Sessions Court in Jackson or the Trial Court.
  • For multiple charges, the petitioner may be required to fill out separate forms. For further clarification, consult with the court clerk.
  • Applicants must include a self-addressed and stamped envelope to obtain a copy of the expungement order.
  • Confirm the costs with the clerk and pay the requisite fees.
  • Copy the office of the District Attorney with their expungement petition.
  • If the District Attorney objects to the expungement, the court will schedule a hearing during which the petitioner will have the privilege to explain to the court that it is in the interest of justice to grant the expungement. They may state the collateral consequences they continue to suffer because of the record and the relief expungement would offer.
  • If the judge agrees, the expungement order will be sent to the relevant agencies, including the arresting agency, the county jail, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the Tennessee Department of Correction.

How Do You Remove Madison County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Under T.C.A. §40-32-101, the state grants record relief through expungement, whereby arrest records may be removed from public access. Once expungement is granted, government agencies remove the records in their custody. However, this does not automatically remove them from third-party sites, data crawlers, and aggregators. To remove arrest records from the internet, record subjects should follow these steps:

  • Ensure that they have an expungement order in place. It provides legal backing for a removal request.
  • Conduct a name search on search engines using terms such as "arrest", "mugshot", or "booking" to see if the individual's name comes up.
  • Provide the full name and the listing URL, and write a removal request.
  • Obtain all relevant documents about the expungement, such as the case dismissal order, the expungement order, and other relevant documents, and attach them to the request for removal.
  • Follow up periodically to ensure compliance.