Criminal records in Davidson County, Tennessee, can be accessed through several channels. DavidsonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the official court case search systems maintained by the Criminal Court Clerk and Circuit Court Clerk, the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, and the Metro Nashville Police Department's Central Records Division. Whether you need to look up a pending case, verify a disposition, or request certified documents, the resources below explain how.
How to Search Criminal Records in Davidson County
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- DavidsonCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case details.
- Criminal Court Clerk Case Search — The official online portal maintained by Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry. Search by first name, last name, or date of birth for criminal court and General Sessions criminal cases filed in Davidson County.
- General Sessions Court Case Information — Look up criminal, civil, and traffic cases heard in Davidson County General Sessions Court.
- DCSO Inmate Information — Check current inmate status, booking details, and release information through the Sheriff's Office.
- Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) — A statewide tool for searching felony offender records, including those originating in Davidson County.
- PACER — For federal criminal cases filed in the Middle District of Tennessee (Nashville division).
In Person
Visit the Criminal Court Clerk's office to use public access terminals or request assistance from staff. The Circuit Court Clerk's office also maintains records for cases within its jurisdiction.
Criminal Court Clerk's Office
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Criminal Court Clerk at the address above. Include the subject's full legal name, date of birth (if known), and any available case numbers.
- For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), which serves as the state's central criminal history repository. TBI background checks typically require fingerprint submission.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (optional on some portals but recommended)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
Search Davidson County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can pull up a specific record directly through the Criminal Court Clerk's case search portal or the General Sessions system.
Tennessee case numbers in Davidson County generally follow a format that includes:
- Year — The two- or four-digit year the case was filed
- Case type prefix — A letter or letter combination indicating the type of case (e.g., "A" or "B" for criminal divisions, "GS" for General Sessions)
- Sequential number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed within that year and division
For example, a case number like 2024-A-1234 would indicate a criminal case filed in 2024 in a specific Criminal Court division. The exact prefix depends on which court and division handled the case. If you are unsure of the format, contact the clerk's office for guidance.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Davidson County
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) section the defendant is charged under |
| Charge description | Plain-language name of the offense (e.g., "Aggravated Assault") |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A–E), misdemeanor (Classes A–C), or violation |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway (hearings scheduled, trial set)
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; no further court action expected
Common Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary hearing — Judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases in General Sessions)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case progress, possible resolution
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes a sentence after conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up on probation compliance or other post-disposition matters
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Nolle prosequi — Prosecution declines to pursue the case further
- Diversion — Case deferred; charges may be dismissed upon completion of conditions (judicial diversion under T.C.A. § 40-35-313)
- Retired — Case placed on inactive status, sometimes indefinitely
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Davidson County
Criminal Court Records
The Criminal Court Clerk's office handles certified copies of criminal court records, including judgments, orders, and case documents.
- In person: Visit the office at 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120, Nashville, TN 37201. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request with the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a check or money order for applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Background checks: The Criminal Court Clerk offers Davidson County criminal background checks. These cover only cases processed through the Davidson County criminal courts.
Police Incident and Arrest Records
For records generated by the Metro Nashville Police Department, contact the Central Records Division.
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive Tennessee criminal history, submit a request to the TBI. Fingerprint-based checks are required for most official purposes (employment, licensing). The TBI processes these through authorized agencies or approved channelers.
General Public Records Requests
Metro Nashville accepts public records requests through its online public records request portal under the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503).
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Davidson County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal background check (Davidson County) | Varies; contact the clerk's office for current fee | Covers Davidson County criminal court records only |
| Certified copy of court document | Varies by document type; contact clerk for specifics | Per Tennessee statute, fees are set by the clerk's office |
| Standard (non-certified) copy | $0.50 per page (typical under T.C.A. § 10-7-503) | May vary; labor charges may apply for extensive requests |
| TBI state criminal history check | Approximately $29.00 | Fingerprint-based; processed through authorized agencies |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often available the same day or within a few business days for standard documents.
- Mail requests: Allow 1–2 weeks depending on volume and complexity.
- TBI background checks: Typically 3–5 business days for electronic submissions; longer for paper submissions.
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Criminal Court Clerk's office at 615-862-5601 to confirm current costs before submitting payment. For extensive public records requests, the Metropolitan Clerk's office may assess additional labor charges as permitted under the Tennessee Public Records Act.