Roane County, Tennessee State Court Records
Court records are one of the important records that public agencies in Roane County create and maintain. They serve administrative purposes and also support education, research, and personal use. A Roane County court record encompasses case, administrative, and judicial records. A judicial record is neither a case record nor an administrative record (Rule 34).
Case records are court records that contain information about individual legal proceedings. The court that handled the case generally maintains these records. Roane County court records are classified as public records, similar to arrest and criminal records.
Yes. The Tennessee Public Records Act provides access to records created by government agencies, including the judiciary. The law governs public access to records and sets limits on the information individuals may access. According to the statute, the following records are typically not included among public Roane County court records:
|
Restricted information |
Statute (T.C.A.) |
|---|---|
|
Adoption records |
10-7-503(b) |
|
Investigative records |
10-7-504(a)(2) |
|
Mental health records |
10-7-504(a)(13) |
|
Orders of protection |
10-7-504(a)(16)(I) |
|
Personally identifying information |
10-7-504(a)(29) |
|
Juvenile court records and expunged records |
37-1-153 |
The public can generally access records or information that a statutory provision does not require agencies to withhold.
What Information is Available in Roane County Court Records?
A Roane County court record usually contains the names of the parties involved in the case, the filing date, the balance due, the presiding judge, the case status, the status date, the case reference number, the next hearing, the documents, the document status, the hearing type, the hearing date and time, and the hearing outcome. These are the types of details that may appear in a publicly available record. However, agencies typically redact information that is not available to the public, and such details do not appear in the record.
Roane County Court Records Search
The judiciary of Roane County provides three options through which individuals can retrieve Roane County court records:
Option 1: Search Online
This option provides remote access to Roane County court records, and users do not need to visit the courthouse or the county clerk's office. Instead, they can access records through the Tennessee Public Court Records System with an internet connection.
To explore this option, members of the public may follow these steps:
- Step I: On the case management system, click Roane County.
- Step II: On the next page, select the "Search" menu.
- Step III: Enter a name, case number, or other search criteria.
This option provides access to court records at no cost.
Option 2: Visit the Courthouse
Visiting the courthouse where the case was filed provides direct access to court records. Researchers can speak with court staff, obtain additional information about a record, and request certified or non-certified copies of case documents.
- Step I: Find out which court handled the case (typically the court with jurisdiction to hear the case)
- Step II: Visit the courthouse or the clerk's office
Requesters are required to provide a party name or a case number to locate a court record. Record inspections are generally free, but copies incur a fee.
Option 3: Submit a Mail Request
A mail request does not provide the same level of direct access as an in-person visit or the immediacy of an online search. However, it allows requesters to obtain records without having to travel to the courthouse. Individuals can route a written request to the appropriate clerk's office, including sufficient identifying information about the case.
This option typically requires a nominal fee for copies of records. Requesters should also attach a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the court can return any records located.
Fees for Court Records in Roane County
Roane County courts are statutorily permitted to charge a fee for copying records. This provision is coded in Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401 and Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-501. Chapter 401 covers circuit courts, while Chapter 501 provides for the Supreme and Appellate Courts. Per Chapter 401, courts in Roane can charge 5 cents per page for copying a record and $5 for certification.
Record inspection and online case searches are complimentary.
Roane County Courthouse Locations
The Circuit Court serves as Roane County's court of general jurisdiction. It has six divisions that hear different types of cases. Several cities within the county also operate Municipal Courts, which primarily handle traffic offenses and violations of local ordinances.
|
Type of Court |
Cases handled |
Address |
Contact information |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Civil cases involving damages exceeding $25,000 |
200 East Race Street, Suite 11, Kingston, TN 37763 |
Phone: (865) 376-2390 Fax: (865) 717-4141 | |
|
Roane County Criminal Court |
Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases |
200 East Race Street, Suite 11, Kingston, TN 37763 |
Phone: (865) 376-2390 Fax: (865) 717-4141 |
|
Civil cases involving damages under $25,000, divorces, orders of protection, traffic citations, and certain preliminary hearings in felony and misdemeanor cases |
200 East Race Street, Suite 16, Kingston, TN 37763 |
Phone: (865) 376-5584 | |
|
Juvenile matters |
200 East Race Street, Suite 16, Kingston, TN 37763 |
Phone: (865) 717-4166 | |
|
Roane County Chancery Court |
Family law, probate, tax matters, and estate administration |
200 East Race Street, Suite 12, Kingston, TN 37763 |
Phone: (865) 376-2487 |
|
Collections Court |
Collection of fines, court costs, and restitution payments |
200 East Race Street, Suite 12, Kingston, TN 37763 |
- |
|
Roane County Harriman City Court (Municipal Court) |
City ordinance and traffic violations |
609 North Roane Street, Harriman, TN 37748 |
Phone: (865) 399-0099 Fax: (865) 882-7031 |
|
Kingston City Court (Municipal Court) |
900 Waterford Place, Kingston, TN 37763 |
Phone: (865) 376-2081 | |
|
Oliver Springs City Court (Municipal Court) |
717 Main Street, Oliver Springs, TN 37840 |
Phone: (865) 435-7722 Fax: (865) 435-7705 | |
|
Rockwood Municipal Court (Municipal Court) |
110 North Chamberlain Avenue, Rockwood, TN 37854 |
Phone: (865) 354-0611 Fax: (865) 354-0348 |
Criminal Records Access in Roane County
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serves as the primary repository for criminal history records. One can direct criminal background check requests to the Bureau for a fee. Per Rule 34, criminal history information is open to the public, subject to certain limitations.
Requesters can direct criminal case record inquiries to the court that adjudicated the matter. Courts maintain and disseminate these files at the county level, and the public may inspect them. Inquirers can access these records through the Tennessee Public Court Records System, conduct an in-person search at the court where the case was heard or at the court clerk's office, or submit a written request to the clerk's office by mail.
Roane County Probate Records
The Roane County Chancery Court, which handles tax matters, also oversees probate and estate administration cases. Probate proceedings generate probate records. They document the administration of a deceased resident's estate, as well as guardianship and conservatorship matters.
Roane County probate records are generally available to the public, but access to certain information may be restricted. Only the named parties, their attorneys, and individuals with a valid court order may obtain sealed or confidential materials.
Roane County Family Court Records
Roane County family law cases are primarily adjudicated by the Circuit Court and, sometimes, the Chancery Court. These courts maintain the information and documents filed in these matters. Family law cases include divorce, adoption, paternity, child support, domestic abuse, and related proceedings. These cases fall under Tennessee's Open Records Law, subject to applicable restrictions.
Individuals who need to inspect or obtain family law records may contact the court where it was handled. They may visit the court in person or submit a written request by mail. Some family records may also be retrieved online. Records not available online, older files and documents may be retrieved in person. Individuals seeking certified copies of records or documents must visit the court. The court provides copies for a fee.
Federal Court Records in Roane County
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee has federal jurisdiction over Roane County. Members of the public may access cases handled by this court through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, in person, or by submitting a request through the mail. Any of these search methods requires a case number or party name.
Records from the federal judiciary encompass civil and criminal proceedings, including bankruptcy, public corruption, tax evasion, and drug trafficking. Obtaining these documents typically involves a mandatory fee.
