Scott County Arrest Records
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Scott County in 2026
ScottTNRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Scott County, Tennessee. Members of the public may find booking details, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through the resources listed below. Available record categories include jail rosters, booking photographs, bond information, and criminal case filings. Access and completeness of records may vary by agency and record type.
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are currently available to members of the public seeking arrest record information in Scott County.
Online Methods:
1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records
The Scott County Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible jail roster through the ISOMS inmate portal, which displays intake and release activity. The portal is updated in near real-time and includes the following information:
- Arrestee full name
- Arresting officer
- Charges filed at booking
- Bond amount
- Custody status and release date (if applicable)
- Booking number
2. Local Police Departments
Scott County is served primarily by the Scott County Sheriff's Office. The City of Oneida, the county seat, is served by the Oneida Police Department. Press releases and arrest logs may be issued periodically through the department's official channels.
Oneida Police Department
19729 Alberta St, Oneida, TN 37841
Phone: (423) 569-4040
3. County Clerk of Court Case Search
Arrest records are frequently linked to criminal court case filings. Members of the public may search for associated court cases through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts case search portal, which allows name-based searches for criminal proceedings in Scott County Circuit and General Sessions Courts.
4. State Law Enforcement Database
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the Tennessee Criminal History Records database, which includes arrest and conviction data from jurisdictions statewide. A standard public background check through TBI currently costs $29.00 and may be requested online. The database includes:
- Arrest dates and charges
- Disposition information (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Sentencing data where applicable
In-Person Access:
Sheriff's Office:
Scott County Sheriff's Office
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2255
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Scott County Sheriff's Office
Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and booking number. Copy fees apply per page.
Clerk of Court:
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2588
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
By Mail:
Written requests for arrest records may be directed to the Scott County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756. Requests should include:
- Full legal name of the subject
- Date of birth
- Date of arrest (if known)
- Booking number (if known)
- Requestor's full name and return mailing address
- Payment for applicable copy fees
By Phone:
- Scott County Sheriff's Office: (423) 663-2255
- Requestors should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
- Detailed record information is not released by phone; requestors may be directed to the online portal or an in-person visit
Through Legal Channels:
Attorneys may submit formal records requests on behalf of clients. Subpoenas may be issued for detailed investigative files not available through standard public access. Records obtained through discovery in criminal proceedings are governed by applicable court rules.
Information Needed for Search:
- Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Approximate date of arrest
- Booking number (if known)
- Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Oneida Police Department, or other agency)
Are Arrest Records Public in Scott County
Arrest records in Scott County are public records under Tennessee law. Pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state and local government records are presumed open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Arrest records fall within this presumption of openness because they document the exercise of governmental authority and serve the public interest in transparency, safety, and accountability.
What Arrest Information Is Public:
- Arrestee name and known aliases
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Booking number
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Bond and bail information
- Current custody status
- Basic demographic information (age, physical description)
Limitations on Public Access:
Certain categories of arrest information are restricted or withheld from public disclosure under Tennessee law:
- Juvenile arrest records (restricted under Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-153)
- Expunged arrest records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Sealed records (subject to court-ordered confidentiality)
- Active investigation information that would compromise ongoing law enforcement activity
- Undercover officer identities
- Confidential informant information
- Victim identifying information in certain offense categories
- Witness protection participants
Constitutional and Legal Basis:
The Tennessee Constitution, Article I, Section 19, protects freedom of the press, which courts have interpreted to include access to government records. The balance between public transparency and individual privacy is addressed through the statutory exemption framework under the Tennessee Public Records Act. First Amendment principles support press and public access to booking information and court proceedings.
Who Can Access Arrest Records:
- General public
- Media organizations
- Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
- Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
- Licensing agencies
- Background check companies
- Attorneys and legal professionals
- Academic researchers
Restrictions on Use:
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing screening. Employers and landlords using consumer reporting agencies must comply with FCRA requirements, including adverse action procedures. Arrests that did not result in conviction carry a distinct legal status from convictions and may not be used in the same manner for employment decisions in certain jurisdictions.
What's in Scott County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by the Scott County Sheriff's Office and associated courts contain several categories of information, the scope of which may vary depending on the arresting agency and the stage of the case.
Personal Identification Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Sex and race/ethnicity
- Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
- Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
- Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest (street address or general area)
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Oneida Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, etc.)
- Arresting officer name and badge number (where available)
- Booking date, time, and assigned booking number
- Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based
Charges Information:
- Specific criminal charges as filed at booking
- Tennessee statute numbers violated
- Charge classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
- Number of counts per charge
- Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Booking Information:
- Booking facility name and location
- Intake timestamp
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprints (collected but not included in public-facing records)
- Personal property inventory
Custody and Bond Information:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
- Bond amount as set by the court
- Bond type:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
- Release date and time, if applicable
- Release conditions, where publicly available
Court Information:
- Court case number assigned following arrest
- Court jurisdiction (Circuit Court or General Sessions Court)
- Scheduled arraignment date
- Judge assignment, where available
What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:
- Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report content)
- Witness statements
- Victim identifying information
- Evidence collected during investigation
- Medical or mental health information
- Social Security number (redacted by law)
- Bank account or financial information
Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:
- Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives not included in booking records
- Court records: Document legal proceedings that follow an arrest
- Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
- Background checks: Aggregate data from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories
How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Scott County?
The cost to obtain arrest records in Scott County depends on the method of access and the requesting office. Online viewing of the jail roster through the ISOMS portal is available at no charge. Fees apply for physical copies and certified documents.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.15 per page (TBI standard) |
| Certified copy | Varies by office |
| TBI criminal history check | $29.00 per request |
| Court case file copies | Set by Clerk of Court |
Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-506, fees for public records copies in Tennessee are limited to the actual cost of materials and labor. Agencies may not charge fees that exceed this standard.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person requests)
- Money order or certified check (mail requests)
- Credit or debit card (where available at the agency)
Fee Waivers:
Indigent requestors and members of the news media may request fee waivers in appropriate circumstances. Waiver requests should be submitted in writing to the relevant agency with a statement of the basis for the waiver.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Online jail roster viewing (ISOMS portal)
- In-person inspection of public records (no copy fee for inspection only)
- Court case number lookup through the Tennessee AOC portal
How To Delete Arrest Records in Scott County
Tennessee law provides two primary mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access). Expungement results in the destruction or removal of the record from public databases, while sealing restricts access without physical destruction.
Eligibility for Expungement:
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:
- Charges were dismissed or retired to the docket
- The individual was acquitted at trial
- No charges were filed following arrest
- The individual successfully completed a diversion program
- Certain low-level misdemeanor convictions (subject to eligibility criteria including waiting periods and no subsequent offenses)
Expungement Process:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case number from the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
- Complete the Tennessee Petition for Expungement form, available through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts
- File the petition with the Scott County Circuit Court Clerk's office
- Pay the applicable filing fee (currently $350.00 for eligible convictions; no fee for dismissed charges or acquittals)
- Attend any scheduled hearing if required by the court
- Upon court order, the record is removed from the Sheriff's Office database, the TBI repository, and court records
Contact for Expungement Assistance:
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2588
Scott County Public Defender's Office
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2588
Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference
Individuals who cannot afford an attorney may contact the public defender's office or Tennessee legal aid organizations for assistance with expungement petitions.
What Happens After Arrest in Scott County?
The post-arrest process in Scott County follows a structured sequence governed by Tennessee law and local court procedures.
Immediate Post-Arrest Process:
1. Transport to Jail
Following arrest, the individual is transported to the Scott County Detention Center located at 282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.
2. Booking Process
Upon arrival at the detention facility, the booking process is initiated. This process typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume and includes:
- Recording of personal identification information
- Advisement of Miranda rights (if not previously given)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint collection and submission to TBI and FBI databases
- Criminal history and outstanding warrant check
- Personal property inventory and storage
- Medical and mental health screening
- Housing classification assignment
3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing
Under Tennessee law, individuals arrested without a warrant must be brought before a magistrate within 72 hours for a probable cause determination. At the initial appearance:
- The individual is formally notified of the charges
- Bond or bail is determined
- The right to appointed counsel is addressed for indigent defendants
- The individual is advised of their rights
Bond/Bail Process:
Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the court. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided all court appearances are made.
Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set at 10% of the bond amount under Tennessee law. The bondsman assumes responsibility for the defendant's appearance.
Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear without monetary payment. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, and the nature of the charges.
No Bond: The court may deny bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or active out-of-state warrants.
4. Release or Continued Detention
If bond is posted, processing for release typically takes one to eight hours. The individual receives their personal property, a written notice of court dates, and any written conditions of release. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a capias warrant.
If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to facility rules including commissary, phone, and visitation procedures.
Accessing Legal Representation:
Scott County Public Defender's Office
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2588
Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference
Eligibility for appointed counsel is based on financial need. Private attorneys may visit clients at the detention center under confidential consultation procedures. The Tennessee Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for individuals seeking private counsel.
Charging Decision:
The District Attorney General's Office for the 8th Judicial District reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges. Options include filing an information or seeking a grand jury indictment (for felonies), requesting additional investigation, declining to prosecute, or filing modified charges. The timeframe for this decision varies from days to several weeks depending on case complexity.
Arraignment:
At arraignment, the defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere. The court sets subsequent hearing dates. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment to preserve time for case review and negotiation.
Court Process Overview:
The pretrial phase includes discovery (exchange of evidence), pretrial motions (suppression, dismissal), and pretrial conferences. Case resolution options include:
- Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence or legal defects
- Diversion Programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, or mental health court; successful completion results in dismissal
- Plea Agreement: Defendant accepts a negotiated plea to agreed charges and sentence
- Trial: Jury or bench trial; verdict of guilty or not guilty
Sentencing (if convicted): The judge may impose incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Credit is given for pretrial detention time served.
Important Contacts:
Scott County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2255
Scott County Sheriff's Office
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2588
8th Judicial District Attorney General's Office
P.O. Box 703, Jamestown, TN 38556
Phone: (931) 879-8013
Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference
Scott County Public Defender's Office
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2588
Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference
What to Do If Arrested:
- Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
- Do not physically resist arrest
- Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
- Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
- Do not discuss the case with anyone other than an attorney
- Contact family or a bondsman for bail assistance
- Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
- Comply with all conditions of release
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Scott County?
Arrest record retention in Scott County is governed by Tennessee state law and the policies of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which establishes retention schedules for local government records.
Arrest Records Retention by Type:
Felony Convictions:
- Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, TBI, and FBI
- Part of the individual's permanent criminal history record
Misdemeanor Convictions:
- Retained permanently by the TBI state repository
- Local law enforcement and court records: retained for a minimum of 10 years under standard Tennessee retention schedules
Dismissed Charges:
- Local law enforcement records: retained for a minimum of 5 years
- Court records: retained per the applicable court records schedule
- May remain in databases unless expungement is obtained
Acquittals:
- Court records: often retained permanently
- Local law enforcement: retained for a minimum of 5 years
- Eligible for expungement under Tennessee law
Charges Not Filed:
- Booking records: retained for a minimum of 3–5 years
- Eligible for expungement upon petition
Digital vs. Physical Records:
- Physical booking paperwork: retained per state schedule (minimum 5–10 years depending on disposition)
- Digital records management systems: often maintained permanently
- Mugshot databases: retention varies by agency policy
- Court electronic records: generally permanent
Third-Party Databases:
Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same retention and expungement obligations as government agencies. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate records, but third-party websites operating outside the consumer reporting framework may not update records following expungement.
Retention by Agency:
Scott County Sheriff's Office
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2255
Scott County Sheriff's Office
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
282 Court St, Huntsville, TN 37756
Phone: (423) 663-2588
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
901 R.S. Gass Blvd, Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
The TBI maintains the state criminal history repository and retains arrest records from all Tennessee jurisdictions. The FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records at the federal level, accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide for background checks related to employment, firearms, and other purposes.
Effect of Disposition on Retention:
- Conviction: Permanent retention in all major databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
- Dismissal: Remains in databases unless expunged; not reported on standard employment background checks by compliant consumer reporting agencies
- Expungement: Local records destroyed or sealed; TBI repository updated; FBI database may retain a notation; removal from third-party websites is not guaranteed and may require separate action
Accessing Historical Arrest Records:
- Recent arrests: Available online through the ISOMS portal and TBI database
- Arrests from prior years: May require in-person request at the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Court; retrieval fees may apply
- Very old arrests: May exist only in paper form in county archives; contact the Records Division at (423) 663-2255 for availability
Impact on Background Checks:
Under the FCRA, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Tennessee does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain public employment restrictions apply. Arrests without conviction carry a distinct legal status and their use in employment decisions is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance.