Coffee County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Coffee County
Arrest records in Coffee County, Tennessee, are generally accessible to members of the public under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are presumed open for public inspection unless a specific exemption applies. Arrest records maintained by the Coffee County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies fall within the scope of this statute, meaning that booking logs, arrest reports, and related documentation are ordinarily available upon request.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under current Tennessee law, an arrest that did not result in a conviction may be eligible for expungement, which would remove it from public access. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains statewide criminal history records and provides guidance on what information is publicly releasable under applicable statutes.
What's in Coffee County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by Coffee County law enforcement agencies typically contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking. The following categories represent the information commonly found within these records.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description, including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
- Race and gender
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Coffee County Sheriff's Office, Manchester Police Department)
- Incident or case number
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed at the time of arrest
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)
- Tennessee Code Annotated citation for each charge
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date the warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of the originating warrant
Booking Information:
- Date and time of booking
- Booking number assigned by the detention facility
- Name of the receiving facility (Coffee County Jail)
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, or own recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
- Bond status and any conditions of release
Court Information:
- Assigned court and docket number
- Scheduled court appearance dates
- Presiding judge or magistrate
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
- Release date and method of release
Additional Information May Include:
- Fingerprint records and biometric data
- Mugshot photograph taken at booking
- Arresting officer's narrative report
- Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Coffee County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain arrest records from Coffee County through several official channels. The process is governed by the Tennessee Public Records Act, and agencies are required to respond to requests in a timely manner.
- Coffee County Sheriff's Office: Submit a written public records request in person or by mail to the Sheriff's Office. Requestors should provide the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any known case or booking number to facilitate the search. A nominal fee may apply for copies.
- Coffee County Criminal Court Clerk: Court records related to criminal charges arising from an arrest are maintained by the Criminal Court Clerk's office. Members of the public may inspect these records during regular business hours.
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI): Individuals seeking a statewide criminal history background check may submit a request through the TBI's criminal history records portal. A processing fee is required for non-fingerprint-based searches.
- Written Request Submission: All written requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, the subject's identifying details, and the specific records sought. Agencies may require government-issued identification before releasing certain records.
Coffee County Sheriff's Office 1329 McArthur St, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 723-5007 Coffee County Sheriff's Office
Coffee County Criminal Court Clerk 300 Hillsboro Blvd, Suite 100, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 723-5106 Coffee County Criminal Court Clerk
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation 901 R.S. Gass Blvd, Nashville, TN 37216 (615) 744-4000 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
How To Find Coffee County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms currently provide access to arrest and booking information for Coffee County residents and the general public.
- Coffee County Sheriff's Office Website: The Sheriff's Office may publish recent booking information and jail rosters on its official website. Members of the public may visit the Coffee County Sheriff's Office website to check for available online records.
- Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup: The State of Tennessee operates an online portal that allows members of the public to search for individuals convicted of felony offenses. The Tennessee felony offender search tool is available through the TN.gov platform and provides conviction and supervision status information.
- TBI Criminal History Records: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides an online portal for authorized background check requests. Searches may be conducted through the TBI criminal history records system.
- Tennessee Court System (TNCourts.gov): Court case information, including charges arising from arrests, may be searched through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts online case management system.
How To Search Coffee County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain arrest record information at no cost through the following official channels.
- In-Person Inspection: Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, members of the public have the right to inspect public records free of charge. Visiting the Coffee County Sheriff's Office or the Criminal Court Clerk's office in person allows inspection of records without a copying fee.
- Online Jail Roster: The Coffee County Sheriff's Office may maintain a publicly accessible online jail roster at no cost. This roster typically lists individuals currently in custody along with their charges.
- Tennessee Felony Offender Lookup: The state's Tennessee felony offender search tool is available to the public at no charge and provides information on individuals with felony convictions in Tennessee.
- TNCourts.gov Case Search: Basic case information, including charge details, may be searched through the Tennessee court system's online portal without a fee.
- Tennessee Sex Offender Registry: The TBI maintains a publicly accessible sex offender registry that is available at no cost.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Coffee County
Tennessee law provides two primary legal mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement and sealing. Expungement refers to the legal erasure of a record, effectively destroying or purging it from official files. Sealing, by contrast, restricts public access to a record without physically destroying it, meaning the record remains accessible to certain government agencies but is not available to the general public.
Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in specific circumstances, including:
- Charges that were dismissed or retired
- Arrests that did not result in a conviction
- Acquittals following a trial
- Certain first-time, low-level misdemeanor or felony convictions after completion of sentence, where the offense is listed as eligible under Tennessee law
- Successful completion of a diversion program
The steps to pursue expungement in Coffee County are as follows:
- Determine eligibility by reviewing the list of expungeable offenses under Tennessee law or consulting with a licensed attorney.
- Obtain the petition for expungement form from the Coffee County Criminal Court Clerk's office.
- File the completed petition with the Criminal Court Clerk, along with any required filing fee (currently set by statute for conviction expungements).
- Serve copies of the petition on the District Attorney General's office and any other required parties.
- Attend any scheduled hearing before the presiding judge.
- If granted, the court order is forwarded to the TBI and arresting agency for record destruction or sealing.
Coffee County District Attorney General's Office 300 Hillsboro Blvd, Manchester, TN 37355 (931) 723-5160 17th Judicial District Attorney General
What Happens After Arrest in Coffee County?
The criminal justice process in Coffee County follows a structured sequence of events from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
- Arrest: A law enforcement officer takes an individual into custody based on probable cause, a warrant, or observation of a criminal act.
- Booking: The individual is transported to the Coffee County Jail, where personal information, fingerprints, and a mugshot photograph are recorded.
- Initial Appearance: Within 72 hours of arrest, the individual appears before a magistrate or judge for an initial hearing, at which bond is set or denied.
- Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: For felony charges, the case proceeds to a preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court or is presented to a grand jury for indictment.
- Arraignment: The defendant enters a formal plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest before the Criminal Court.
- Pre-Trial Proceedings: Discovery, motions, and plea negotiations occur during this phase.
- Trial or Plea: The case is resolved either through a negotiated plea agreement or a jury or bench trial.
- Sentencing: If convicted, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Tennessee sentencing guidelines.
- Appeals: The defendant retains the right to appeal a conviction or sentence to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Coffee County?
Arrest records in Coffee County are subject to retention schedules established under Tennessee state law and the policies of individual agencies. The Tennessee Secretary of State's office publishes official records retention schedules that govern how long law enforcement and court records must be maintained.
Under the Tennessee Public Records Commission retention schedules, law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum period that varies based on the nature of the offense:
- Felony arrest records are typically retained permanently or for a period of several decades.
- Misdemeanor arrest records may be retained for a shorter period, often between five and ten years following case closure.
- Records related to unsolved cases are generally retained indefinitely until the case is resolved.
- Juvenile records are subject to separate retention rules and are generally sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood.
Different agencies within Coffee County maintain their own records independently. The Sheriff's Office, the Criminal Court Clerk, and the TBI each retain records according to their respective schedules. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for ongoing investigations and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.
How to Find Mugshots in Coffee County
What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized photograph taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. It typically includes a front-facing and profile view of the arrested individual and is part of the official booking record.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots are maintained by the Coffee County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking record. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also retains photographs as part of statewide criminal history files.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request mugshot photographs by submitting a public records request to the Coffee County Sheriff's Office. Requests should include the subject's full name and approximate date of arrest.
Can They Be Found Online The Coffee County Sheriff's Office may publish booking photographs on its official website or jail roster. The Coffee County Sheriff's Office website is the appropriate starting point for online mugshot searches.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially Official copies of mugshot photographs may be obtained by submitting a written public records request to the Sheriff's Office. A nominal fee may apply for reproductions.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access If an arrest record has been expunged pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, the associated mugshot photograph is also subject to destruction or removal from public access. Third-party websites that publish mugshots are not subject to the same legal obligations as government agencies, though Tennessee has enacted legislation addressing the commercial use of booking photographs.