DeKalb County Busted Mugshots
DeKalb County busted mugshots and arrest records are maintained by the sheriff's office in Smithville, Tennessee. The county has a population of about 20,000 and sits in the Upper Cumberland region of Middle Tennessee. Sheriff Patrick Ray oversees jail operations and law enforcement across the county. Whether you need to look up a recent arrest, find a booking photo, or check on an inmate at the DeKalb County Jail, this page covers the search tools and procedures available to the public.
DeKalb County Quick Facts
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Mugshots
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office is at 100 Public Square in Smithville. Sheriff Patrick Ray runs the department. The office handles patrol, criminal investigations, court security, and jail operations. When someone is arrested in DeKalb County, they get booked at the county jail. A mugshot is taken and charges are entered into the records system.
Call 615-597-4935 to reach the sheriff's office or the jail. The Records Division handles requests for incident reports and arrest records. You should make your request in writing when possible. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503, arrest records are public in Tennessee. Anyone can request them.
The public records coordinator for DeKalb County is at 1 Public Square, Smithville, TN 37166. Phone: 615-597-4024. Requests go through the County Mayor's Office. They have 7 business days to respond under state law.
DeKalb County Jail Roster
For DeKalb County booking records, call the Sheriff's Office or search for court records on the Tennessee Court System website. Court records show names, charges, booking dates, and case status. The TBI Sex Offender Registry also covers DeKalb County registrants.
If you need records that go back further, contact the sheriff's office directly. Older booking records may not appear on the online roster, but they are still on file at the office. The Records Division can pull up past arrests when you provide a name or case number.
How to Find DeKalb County Booking Photos
Start with the online jail roster. Type a name and see if there is a match. If you need more detail, call the sheriff at 615-597-4935. You can also visit the office in person at 100 Public Square in Smithville during business hours.
For court records tied to arrests in DeKalb County, the Tennessee Court System website may have case information. Search by name to find charges and case status. The Circuit Court handles felony cases, while General Sessions Court processes misdemeanors and preliminary hearings. Court records are separate from jail records but they connect through case numbers.
To submit a formal records request, write to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Include the full name of the person, a rough date range, and your contact details. Fees may apply for copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. The county follows the fee guidelines set by Tennessee law.
Note: The sheriff's office may not have a live online inmate portal, so the third-party jail roster is your best starting point for DeKalb County searches.
DeKalb County Mugshots and Public Records
Tennessee's Public Records Act makes most government records available to the public. Busted mugshots and arrest records in DeKalb County fall under this law. The statute at T.C.A. § 10-7-503 covers all state, county, and local government records. The Office of Open Records Counsel provides free guidance when you have trouble getting records from any Tennessee agency.
Some records are exempt under T.C.A. § 10-7-504. Active investigations, juvenile records, and expunged records are not available to the public. Everything else is fair game. You do not need to give a reason for your request. Standard adult booking records and mugshots in DeKalb County are open.
Tennessee State Search Resources
Beyond the local sheriff's office, state-level tools can help you find records tied to DeKalb County arrests. The TDOC Felony Offender Lookup shows state prison inmates from any county. Search by name to see if someone from DeKalb County is in a state facility.
The TBI Sex Offender Registry is another public database. Under T.C.A. § 40-39-101, convicted sex offenders must register, and their info is public. You can search by name or by geographic area to find registrants in DeKalb County. The TBI also maintains the Tennessee Crime Information Center, which holds statewide arrest data. For formal criminal history checks, the fee is $29.00 under T.C.A. § 38-13-109.
Cities in DeKalb County
DeKalb County includes Smithville, Alexandria, Dowelltown, and Liberty. None of these cities have dedicated pages. All bookings within the county are handled at the DeKalb County Jail in Smithville.
Nearby Counties
DeKalb County sits in the Upper Cumberland area of Middle Tennessee. These neighboring counties have their own jail systems and booking records.