Tennessee Busted Mugshots
Tennessee busted mugshots are public booking photos taken when someone is arrested and processed into a county jail. Each of the 95 counties in Tennessee keeps its own jail roster and arrest records through the local sheriff's office. Many of these mugshot records can be searched online for free. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also tracks statewide arrest data, and the Department of Correction runs an inmate lookup tool for state prisons. Whether you need to find a recent booking photo, check an inmate's charges, or look up someone's bond amount, Tennessee provides several ways to search these records from your home or at a local courthouse.
Tennessee Busted Mugshots Quick Facts
Tennessee Busted Mugshots and Arrest Records
Tennessee keeps arrest records at the county level. Each sheriff's office runs the local jail and books people who get arrested. During booking, the jail takes a mugshot, records the charges, and sets a bond amount. This information goes into the county's jail roster. Most counties post their rosters online so anyone can see who is in jail right now.
The state also has tools that cover all 95 counties at once. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation processes open records requests for criminal history data it holds. The TBI is the main state agency for statewide arrest data in Tennessee. Requests can go by email to tbi.openrecords@tn.gov, by fax to (615) 744-4655, or by mail to TBI, Office of the General Counsel, 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216. The TBI charges $0.15 per page for black and white copies and $0.50 for color. If the work takes more than one hour, labor charges may apply at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can do the task. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503(a)(2) gives TBI the authority to set these fees.
The Tennessee Department of Correction Felony Offender Information Lookup is a free tool that shows current TDOC inmates and parolees. You can search by name, TDOC ID, or State ID. Results show the full name, status, facility, sentence dates, and parole eligibility. The system updates daily. It covers felons in state prisons but does not include county jail inmates or people charged with misdemeanors.
The Tennessee Office of Open Records Counsel helps the public get access to government records. The office provides model request forms, offers mediation when agencies deny access, and publishes guides that explain the Tennessee Public Records Act. Under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 10, Chapter 7, all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection unless a specific law says otherwise. Records custodians must respond within 7 business days. Fees for copies are limited to actual duplication costs.
How to Search Busted Mugshots in Tennessee
Start with the county. That is the fastest path to a recent mugshot or arrest record in Tennessee. Each county sheriff runs a jail, and many post their current inmate roster on a website. These rosters show names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and sometimes mugshot photos. Most update daily or in real time.
Several counties use the ISOMS portal system. Anderson County, Fentress County, Giles County, Hamblen County, and Sevier County all run ISOMS portals where you can see current inmates with detailed charge and bond data. The portals run around the clock and do not need a login. Each record shows the full name, age, classification, intake date, arresting department, and a charges table with separate bond amounts for each count.
For a broader search, the Tennessee Court System lets you look up case records from General Sessions Courts, Criminal Courts, and Circuit Courts. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney name. Not all counties are in the system yet, but it covers many of them. The search is free, and results show case history, hearings, and fine information for disposed cases. Sealed and expunged records do not appear.
The TBI also runs the Sex Offender Registry, which is a public database under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-39-101. You can search by name, address, or location on a map. Profiles include photos, physical descriptions, and conviction details. Email alerts are available if an offender moves near you.
To look up someone in state prison, use the TDOC Inmate Search. It shows all people currently in a TDOC facility. Results give the name, status, location, and sentence info. The TDOC runs 14 prisons and several community correction centers across Tennessee.
Note: Online jail rosters show current inmates. Once someone is released, their record may drop off the public list within hours or days depending on the county.
Tennessee Criminal History Checks
The TBI handles fingerprint-based criminal history checks for Tennessee. The fee is $29 per person. Processing goes through authorized fingerprinting vendors like Identogo, which has locations across the state. Electronic results usually come back in 24 to 72 hours. The report includes arrests, charges, and dispositions from Tennessee agencies. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-13-109, these checks require written authorization from the subject for third-party requests. The TBI uses the Automated Fingerprint Identification System to match prints against its database. Out-of-state records need a separate FBI check.
Name-based checks are available too. Some authorized entities can run these through the TBI without fingerprints. The TBI cannot give out criminal history over the phone. All requests must be in writing. If you think your record has errors, the TBI website has instructions for challenging inaccurate information. Court dispositions need to be reported for a full record, so some arrests may show without a final outcome if the court has not sent the update yet.
Busted Mugshots and Tennessee Public Records Law
Arrest records in Tennessee are public. The Tennessee Public Records Act at Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 says all state, county, and city records are open for inspection unless a law says otherwise. That includes booking records, mugshots, and jail rosters.
Some records are off limits. Investigative files that are still open may be withheld under § 10-7-504. Juvenile court records are not accessible through public portals. Expunged records get removed from public view as the law requires. Sealed records need a court order to access.
If an agency denies your request, the denial must come in writing and cite the specific statute. You can contact the Office of Open Records Counsel for help. They offer mediation and can guide you on your options. If mediation does not work, you can file an appeal in court. Under § 10-7-505, copy fees must match actual costs. Agencies cannot charge more than it costs them to make the copies.
Search Tennessee Busted Mugshots by County
Every county jail in Tennessee takes mugshots during booking. The sheriff's office keeps these records and many publish them online. Some counties have their own portal with live updates. Others post a daily roster on their website. The type of information varies, but most rosters include the inmate's name, mugshot, charges, and bond amount.
Fees for copies of arrest records vary by county. The sheriff's office records division handles most requests. Written requests are preferred under Tennessee law, and agencies have 7 business days to respond. If you visit in person, bring valid ID. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Contact the county's public records coordinator through the mayor's office if the sheriff's office cannot help.
The TBI Crime Statistics page publishes annual Crime in Tennessee reports. Law enforcement agencies send arrest data to the TBI each month through the Uniform Crime Reporting program. Stats cover arrests by offense type, age, and jurisdiction. Historical data goes back to 1995. Drug arrest figures and domestic violence numbers are tracked separately.
The Tennessee State Library and Archives holds historical government records including old arrest records and jail registers. County court records from the 1700s are preserved there. You must visit in person at their Nashville location. Microfilm copies of many records are available for research.
Browse Tennessee Busted Mugshots by County
Each county in Tennessee has a sheriff's office that manages the local jail and keeps booking records. Pick a county to find mugshot search tools, inmate rosters, and contact details for that area.
Busted Mugshots in Major Tennessee Cities
Residents of big cities get booked at the county jail in their area. Pick a city to find local arrest record resources and mugshot search options.