How to Access Arrest Records in Chattanooga and Hamilton County
Public arrest records in Chattanooga and Hamilton County are maintained through two separate systems depending on jurisdiction and timing. Understanding which agency holds the record you need, what information is typically available, and how long processing takes will save you from multiple rejected requests.
Where Records Are Kept
The Chattanooga Police Department maintains arrest records for individuals arrested within city limits. Records are stored at the CPD Records and Fingerprint Bureau, located downtown. For arrests made by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies or state troopers, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in the Justice Center downtown handles those records. The distinction matters: a person arrested on Broad Street by city police goes through a different intake and filing system than someone arrested on I-75 by county deputies.
Records older than 30 days are typically transferred to microfiche or digital archives, which takes longer to retrieve. Same-day or next-business-day requests are possible only for very recent arrests still in active processing.
Methods for Obtaining Records
In-person requests at CPD Records Bureau: Bring a photo ID and be specific about the arrest date or the person's name and approximate timeframe. CPD requires you to visit their location downtown; they do not accept walk-in requests for records older than one week. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed on city holidays. There is no fee for a single record lookup.
Phone inquiries: Chattanooga Police non-emergency dispatch (423-698-2525) can confirm whether an arrest occurred and the booking status, but they cannot email or mail records directly. They will direct you to the Records Bureau for the actual document.
Mail requests: Send a written request to the Chattanooga Police Department Records Bureau with the arrestee's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow 10 to 15 business days for processing. Requests for records more than one year old typically take longer due to archival retrieval.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office: For county-jurisdiction arrests, visit the Justice Center Records unit or call the non-emergency line. Their process mirrors CPD's, though their archive system sometimes requires additional time for cases processed through the county's older database.
Online databases: Tennessee maintains a public online database of felony convictions through the Administrative Office of the Courts, but this reflects convictions, not initial arrest records. Arrest records themselves are not centrally searchable online; you must contact the specific arresting agency.
What Information Is Public
Arrest records available to the public typically include the arrestee's name, age, date of arrest, charges, and bail or bond information. Booking photographs (mugshots) are generally public in Tennessee unless the case involves a minor or a sealed proceeding. Chattanooga and Hamilton County do not restrict mugshot access under local ordinance, though the records custodian may redact sensitive information if a case is still under active investigation.
Prior arrest history, known as rap sheets or criminal history, is restricted to law enforcement, employers conducting background checks through authorized channels, and the individual arrested. You cannot obtain someone else's full criminal history through a public records request.
Processing Times and Costs
CPD's in-person lookups are immediate for records in active files (arrests from the past 30 days). Archived records require 3 to 7 business days. Mail requests add postal time on both ends, extending the timeline to 2 to 3 weeks for recent arrests and up to a month for older cases.
Hamilton County processes similarly, though their Records unit sometimes batches requests if they arrive during high-volume periods (Fridays are typically slower). There is no copying fee for the first record; additional copies are usually $0.50 per page.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Tennessee law allows certain arrests to be sealed or expunged, removing them from public access. Misdemeanor arrests that result in acquittal or dismissal can often be expunged. Felonies require either a specific statutory right (such as a completed diversion program) or a judge's order for expungement. Once sealed or expunged, the record is not available to the public, and the person arrested may legally answer "no" if asked whether they were arrested.
To check whether a record has been sealed, contact the District Attorney's office in the Hamilton County Courthouse or request confirmation from the CPD Records Bureau. Sealed records requests require the case number or a court order.
Practical Steps for Your Request
Gather three pieces of information before you contact either agency: the arrestee's full legal name, the approximate date of arrest (within a month if possible), and the charge or alleged offense. Vague requests delay processing. Be clear about whether you need the arrest record itself, the booking photograph, or bail information, since agencies sometimes interpret broad requests conservatively.
If you are requesting records for employment or housing purposes, say so. Some agencies expedite requests from landlords or employers conducting background checks, though they may require you to provide authorization from the subject of the check.
For cases involving misdemeanor charges or arrests older than several years, call ahead to confirm the record exists and is accessible before making an in-person trip. The Records Bureau staff can usually answer verification questions over the phone in under five minutes.
