Union County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Union County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Union County, Tennessee may access publicly available information through official government channels, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as UnionTNRecords.us. Criminal records in Union County may include arrest logs, booking records, court case dispositions, sentencing information, and related justice system documentation. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the offense, and whether the record has been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted under Tennessee law.
Relevant record categories that members of the public may encounter include:
- Arrest and booking records maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office
- Circuit and General Sessions Court case files and dispositions
- State criminal history records held by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
- Sex offender registry entries
- Active and historical warrant information
- Misdemeanor and felony conviction records
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues currently available:
1. County Court Records
The Union County Circuit Court and General Sessions Court maintain case files for criminal matters adjudicated within the county. Members of the public may inspect non-restricted records in person at the courthouse during business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Union County Circuit Court Clerk
901 Main Street, Suite 203
Maynardville, TN 37807
Phone: (865) 992-3061
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Public access terminals are available at the clerk's office for on-site case searches. Staff may assist with locating records, though staff-assisted searches may incur a fee for copies.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, inmate rosters, and booking records. Members of the public may submit records requests in person or in writing. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with Tennessee's public records fee schedule.
Union County Sheriff's Office
901 Main Street
Maynardville, TN 37807
Phone: (865) 992-3282
Union County Sheriff's Office
Available records include daily arrest logs, current inmate rosters, and historical booking information. Requestors should provide the full name of the subject and, if known, the date of arrest or booking number.
3. Online Court Search
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts operates the Tennessee Court Case Search portal, which allows members of the public to search for case information by party name, case number, or attorney. Users may filter results by county and case type. The portal reflects case information as entered by court clerks and may not include all historical records or cases predating electronic filing systems.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certain request types, fingerprints. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – Criminal History Records Unit
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
TBI Criminal History Records
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Union County Circuit Court Clerk at 901 Main Street, Suite 203, Maynardville, TN 37807. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, approximate case date or number, and the requestor's contact information. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, public agencies are required to respond to records requests promptly, with a reasonable timeframe not to exceed seven business days for an initial response.
What Is Union County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Union County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. Under Tennessee law, criminal records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the justice process, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Tennessee law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification, carrying potential sentences of more than one year of incarceration. 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 confidential under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153 and are not subject to public inspection except in limited circumstances.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained by the issuing court and law enforcement agencies. Historical records document past arrests and proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Union County include the Union County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Union County Circuit Court and General Sessions Court (case files and dispositions), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments where applicable. Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of prosecution, and finalized upon sentencing or dismissal. A complete criminal record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Union County
Criminal records in Union County are subject to public disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee." This statutory mandate applies to adult criminal court records, arrest logs, and booking information maintained by county agencies.
As the Tennessee Attorney General has noted in guidance on public records, "the Public Records Act reflects a strong public policy in favor of open government and public access to government records."
Records that are currently open to public inspection include adult conviction records, court case filings and dispositions, sentencing information, and sex offender registry entries. Records that are restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged records (removed from public view 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 the FBI or federal courts operate under separate disclosure frameworks and are not subject to Tennessee's Public Records Act. Members of the public seeking guidance on public records access may consult the Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel, which provides advisory opinions and public access assistance.
How To Find Criminal Records in Union County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Union County court records is the Tennessee Court Case Search portal maintained by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. This portal allows searches by party name or case number and returns case type, filing date, charges, and disposition information for cases entered into the statewide electronic system. The Union County Sheriff's Office website may also publish a current inmate roster and recent arrest information.
State-Level Resources
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides an online criminal history background check portal for authorized requestors. The statewide court case search covers all Tennessee counties and allows cross-jurisdictional searches. The TBI Sex Offender Registry is publicly accessible online and searchable by name, county, or zip code.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing online portals
Limitations
Online databases reflect data as entered by court clerks and law enforcement agencies and may lag behind real-time case activity. Historical records predating electronic systems may require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for certified official background checks required for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings.
Can You Search Union County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Tennessee law mandates that public records be available for personal inspection at no charge during business hours. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, agencies may charge fees for copies but may not charge for inspection alone. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Union County Circuit Court Clerk's office and arrest logs at the Union County Sheriff's Office without a fee.
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | Cost | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Court Case Search | Free | Online |
| TBI Sex Offender Registry | Free | Online |
| Union County Inmate Roster | Free | Online (Sheriff's website) |
| Court case dockets | Free | In-person terminals |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office are public records subject to inspection at no charge. Availability of online posting varies.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the court clerk (at present, Tennessee courts charge per-page copy fees)
- Official TBI criminal history background checks: fee required per request
- Staff-assisted record searches beyond standard inspection
- Expedited processing requests
What's Included in a Union County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Union County criminal record at present may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges with felony or misdemeanor classification, plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types
- Active or historical warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion program records (upon successful completion)
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may petition the originating court or agency for correction. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides a formal challenge process for individuals disputing the accuracy of state criminal history records through the TBI Criminal History Records unit.
How Long Does Union County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Tennessee public records retention schedules, administered by the Tennessee State Library and Archives, govern how long county agencies must retain criminal records. The Tennessee Records Management Program establishes minimum retention periods by record type.
Retention by Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent (court records) |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies by agency; at present, sheriff records retained per state schedule |
| Dismissed/acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted; permanent in court system |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; subject to destruction per statutory schedule |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files permanently under Tennessee court records retention rules. The Union County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records per the state retention schedule applicable to law enforcement agencies. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation retains conviction records permanently in the statewide criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record persists in the state system.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record per a retention schedule.
- Sealing removes a record from public access while preserving it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement is a court-ordered process that removes eligible records from public view and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases. Under Tennessee law, certain first-time offenders and individuals whose charges were dismissed may petition for expungement. Eligibility criteria and procedures are detailed through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.
Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules, independent of Tennessee state or Union County retention schedules.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under current law. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at present cover criminal history for seven to ten years for most positions, though no time limit applies to positions with salaries above a statutory threshold. Professional licensing boards in Tennessee may require full criminal history disclosure regardless of the age of the conviction.