Conduct a free Davidson County warrant search today.
Released by the courts for different offenses and crimes, warrants can be of various types, but the methods of searching and obtaining all of them are the same. Such a records search can be conveniently performed through various official resources and offices.
A warrant lookup can flag wanted offenders in the community or even help clear your own records in case you find outstanding or false summons issued for yourself. This resource provides residents with clear steps for seamlessly carrying out a free warrant search in Davidson County, Tennessee.
A Review of Tracking Down Davidson County Tennessee Warrants for Free
Before beginning their warrant search, residents must have a general understanding of how the process works, whether or not these records are public, and what kind of information they must possess about the subject to conduct a comprehensive, result-yielding search.
In accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), most official and court records which include warrants, are open for inspection and copying by the general public in Davidson County.1 This means that any citizen can search and request details of warrants from relevant agencies and they will be obliged to provide the requested records. However, there are still a few exceptions in the case of warrants.
For example, criminal warrants may not entirely be available to the public in Davidson County as the availability can cause disruptions in the ongoing inquiry or create risks for those involved in the case.
Additionally, warrants included in sealed court records are not open to the general public without special permission. Furthermore, in the case of juveniles, their warrant details are also not open to the public due to safety and privacy concerns.
Based on the nature of the crime committed by the named individual, warrants can be of quite a few different types. Some of the most common warrant varieties released in Davidson County, Tennessee include search, arrest, bench, traffic, child support, probation, parole, fugitive, Capias, and Capias pro fine.
When the courts of the county release these warrants, they are put into action by law enforcement agencies such as the police and the sheriff’s department.
Various agencies and government divisions can provide interested individuals with warrant information in Davidson County, Tennessee. Primarily, citizens can search warrants through the Nashville Police Criminal Warrants Division, the Circuit Court Clerk, and the Civil Warrant Division of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department.2
To help these departments conduct a conclusive and precise warrant search from their databases, citizens must have some basic information about their search subjects. This information includes their full names (including the first name, middle initial, and last name) or case or warrant numbers if that is known.
Furthermore, other details such as warrant type, when and where it was issued, date of issuance, the name of the court that issued it, and current status can help the staff narrow down the search for more precise results.
How To Conduct a Davidson County Warrant Search
Primarily, the Police Criminal Warrants Division under the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County can help interested citizens check if they or someone else has an outstanding warrant.3 Unfortunately, the department does not offer an online tool for searching warrants.
Furthermore, due to the sensitive nature of details present in the warrant, it does not provide them by phone or email as well. Interested residents must visit the Division’s office in person to obtain warrant details.
Metro Nashville Police Department
Criminal Warrants Division
440 3rd Avenue North
Nashville Tennessee 37201
Phone: 615.862.7685
The Criminal Warrants Division’s office is open seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM (however, note that it is closed during weekends). Anyone interested in searching warrants can visit the office and request them by providing primary details of the subject.
The Metropolitan Government also offers a list of individuals with active warrants who are wanted for various serious crimes like sex crimes, burglaries and more.
This list is made available to the public through their social media platform. This can be accessed through the link provided above.
As another option, residents can also reach out to the Civil Warrants Division of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department.5
Since the division processes and manages warrants active in the county, it can provide citizens with their details.
Davidson County Sheriff’s Department
Civil Warrants Division
One Jerry Newson Way
Nashville, Tennessee 37201
Phone: 615.862.8123
Mailing Address:
PO Box 196383
Nashville, Tennessee 37219-6383
The Circuit Court Clerk of Davidson County can also provide interested residents with outstanding warrants.
Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk
1 Public Square, Suite Number 302
Nashville, Tennessee 37201
Phone: 615.862.5181
Fax: 615.862.5191
Email: [email protected]
A Look at Warrant Types & Their Meanings
Courts in Davidson County, Tennessee release different types of warrants on the basis of different offenses; here are some of the most common ones along with their meaning (note that all these warrants can be referred to as active):
Arrest Warrants: These warrants permit law enforcement agencies to arrest a person upon suspicion of committing a crime.
Traffic Warrants: Traffic warrants are issued by the court in relation to traffic offenses such as unpaid tickets, hit and run, etc.
Fugitive Warrants: Fugitive warrants are issued in the name of fugitives who have run away to a different jurisdiction.
Probation and Parole Violation Warrants: Probation and parole violation warrants are released for people who violate the terms of their probation or parole release by committing a new crime, failing to show up on due appointments, or escaping authorities.
Capias & Capias Pro Fine Warrants: Capias and Capias pro fine warrants are issued for offenders who don’t comply with the court’s orders or don’t pay a court-issued fine.
Bench Warrants: Bench warrants are released for offenders who don’t present themselves before the court on the due date and time.
Child Support Warrants: Such warrants are issued for a person when they don’t pay the set child support amount.
Search Warrants: Search warrants legally permit the police, the sheriff’s department, or other law enforcement agencies to search for evidence of a crime at a particular location.
Detainer Warrants: These warrants are issued by the General Session Court to allow property owners to reclaim their real estate from tenants who do not pay rents.
Handle Outstanding Warrants in Davidson County
Various approaches can be taken as to how to handle outstanding warrants in Davidson County, Tennessee. In the case of minor offenses such as unpaid traffic tickets or unpaid fines, residents can contact the Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk and set a court date to get the warrant dismissed.6
Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
Historic Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Ste. 302
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: 615.862.5181
Fax: 615.862.5191
Fax Filings: 615.296.4501
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: 8:00AM to 4:30PM | Monday – Friday
In case the charges outlined against the citizen in the warrant are of severe nature, the best approach would be to consult a licensed attorney for the best legal routes. An attorney can better evaluate the citizen’s current legal standing and suggest an appropriate course of action.
To report someone with an outstanding summons in Davidson County, residents can reach out to the Metro Nashville Police Department – Criminal Warrant Division and leave an anonymous tip either through call or in-person visit.7
Metro Nashville Police Department
Criminal Warrants Division
440 3rd Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee 37201
Phone: 615.862.7685
A last approach, in case of serious offenses, could be to turn yourself in at the Criminal Warrants Division. Davidson County offers a Safe Surrender Program allowing anyone with active warrants to voluntarily surrender. This promotes justice and lessens risks to all involved parties and to help them solve this legal matter under their name.
The wanted citizen can visit the department’s office along with a photo ID between the timings of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM any day of the week and surrender themselves voluntarily. However, this is only suggested after thorough consultation with family and friends.
This resource summarizes everything a resident must know to conduct a free Davidson County warrant search; such a search can be carried out through different official agencies and can provide searchers with details on active and outstanding warrants.
References
1East Tennessee State University. (n.d.). Complying with the Tennessee Public Records Act. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from <https://www.etsu.edu/universitycouncil/documents/interim-documents/tn-open-records-powerpoint.pdf>
2Davidson County Sheriff’s Department. (n.d.). Civil Warrants Division. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from <https://sheriff.nashville.gov/civil-warrants-division/>
3Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. (n.d.). Police Criminal Warrants Division. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from <https://www.nashville.gov/departments/police/support-services/warrants>
4Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. (2024, March 18). East 10 Most Wanted. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from <https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/East-Precinct-Most-Wanted.pdf>
5Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Contact the Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from <https://sheriff.nashville.gov/contact-the-nashville-davidson-county-sheriffs-office/>
6Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. (n.d.). Contact Us. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from <https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/contact-us/>
7Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. (2019). Metro Nashville Police Department Criminal Warrants Division Brochure (English). Retrieved March 20, 2024, from <https://filetransfer.nashville.gov/portals/0/sitecontent/Police/docs/Media/Misc/2019/Warrants%20English%20Brochure.pdf>
8Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. (n.d.). Report Wanted Criminals. Retrieved March 20, 2024, from <https://hub.nashville.gov/s/request-type/a0ut0000002MxUcAAK/report-wanted-criminals>