Maury County Criminal Records
What Is Maury County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Maury County, Tennessee constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within county jurisdiction. These records encompass the complete chronology of a person's criminal history, from initial arrest through final case disposition. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, criminal records are maintained as part of the public record, with certain exceptions.
Criminal records in Maury County are categorized by several important distinctions:
- Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody based on probable cause but do not indicate guilt. Conviction records confirm that a court has determined the individual committed the offense.
- Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies represent more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more. Misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically punishable by less than one year in county jail.
- Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 and older are generally public. Juvenile records (under 18) are sealed and confidential under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153, with limited exceptions.
- Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current pending arrests, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Maury County:
Maury County Sheriff's Office
1300 Lawson White Drive
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 380-5733
Maury County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, jail records, and active warrants.
Maury County Circuit Court Clerk
41 Public Square
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 375-1101
Maury County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court maintains case files, dispositions, sentencing records, and court proceedings.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
(615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
The TBI maintains the statewide criminal history database and provides official background checks.
Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation/parole information. These records serve as the official history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system in Maury County.
Are Criminal Records Public In Maury County
Criminal records in Maury County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act. This statute, codified as Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, establishes that "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours... be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state." This legal framework ensures transparency in government operations while balancing privacy concerns.
The Tennessee Public Records Act specifically states:
"All state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, which for public hospitals shall be during the business hours of their administrative offices, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state, and those in charge of the records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen, unless otherwise provided by state law."
While the presumption favors public access, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted:
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Public Records: Adult conviction records, court proceedings, sentencing information, and booking photographs are generally available to the public.
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Restricted Records: The following categories have limited accessibility:
- Ongoing criminal investigations (protected under T.C.A. § 10-7-504)
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (confidential under T.C.A. § 37-1-153)
- Expunged records (removed from public access)
- Records pertaining to victims of certain crimes
- Records that would compromise legitimate security interests
Law enforcement agencies in Maury County maintain discretion to withhold certain investigative records if disclosure would interfere with proceedings or compromise confidential sources. Additionally, records related to victims of sexual offenses or domestic violence receive heightened protection under Tennessee law.
The Tennessee Court of Appeals has consistently upheld the public's right to access criminal records while recognizing these statutory exceptions. In practice, this means most adult criminal records in Maury County are accessible, though specific sensitive information may be redacted prior to release.
Individuals seeking criminal records should be aware that while the records may be public, certain identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information will typically be redacted to protect privacy while maintaining the public's right to access government records.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Maury County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Maury County may utilize several established methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing varying levels of detail.
For in-person requests at the Maury County Circuit Court:
- Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
- Complete a public records request form, providing specific information about the case or individual.
- Present valid government-issued photo identification.
- Specify the records being requested (case files, dispositions, etc.).
- Pay applicable copy fees ($0.50 per page for standard copies).
- Allow processing time, which varies based on request complexity.
Maury County Circuit Court Clerk
41 Public Square
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 375-1101
Maury County Circuit Court
For Sheriff's Office records:
- Visit the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office.
- Complete the required records request form.
- Provide specific information about the incident or individual.
- Present valid identification.
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certified records.
- Allow 3-5 business days for processing.
Maury County Sheriff's Office
1300 Lawson White Drive
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 380-5733
Maury County Sheriff's Office
For statewide criminal history information:
- Submit a request to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
- Complete the required background check request form.
- Provide fingerprints if requesting a comprehensive background check.
- Include the statutory fee ($29 per record check).
- Allow 3-5 business days for processing.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
(615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
For mail requests, individuals should:
- Send a written request to the appropriate agency.
- Include specific case information and identification details.
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order).
- Allow 10-15 business days for processing and return mail.
Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), agencies must respond to records requests within seven business days. The response will either provide the requested records, deny the request with explanation, or indicate additional time needed for processing.
How To Find Criminal Records in Maury County Online?
Maury County offers several digital platforms that provide public access to criminal records information. These online resources vary in scope, content, and user requirements. Currently, the following online portals are available for criminal records searches:
The Tennessee Court Information System (TnCIS) provides a centralized database for court records across Tennessee, including Maury County. Users can search by:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Filing date range
This system contains:
- Case status
- Charges filed
- Hearing dates
- Judgment information
- Court costs and fines
The Maury County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search provides current information on individuals currently incarcerated in the county jail. This database includes:
- Inmate name and booking photo
- Booking date
- Charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release date (when applicable)
The Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) maintained by the Tennessee Department of Correction allows searches of convicted felons who:
- Are currently incarcerated
- Are under community supervision
- Have been released from custody within the past year
This database includes conviction information, sentence details, and supervision status.
For comprehensive background checks, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Background Check System provides official criminal history information. This system:
- Requires registration and payment of statutory fees
- Provides certified criminal history reports
- Includes statewide arrest and conviction data
- May require fingerprint submission for complete records
When using these online systems, users should note:
- Name-based searches may return multiple results for common names
- Some case details may require in-person review of physical files
- Recent arrests or court actions may not appear immediately
- Certain sensitive cases may be restricted from online access
- Registration requirements vary by platform
Online access to criminal records is governed by the same legal framework as physical records, with certain information redacted to protect privacy while maintaining public access to government records as required under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503.
Can You Search Maury County Criminal Records for Free?
Tennessee law establishes the public's right to inspect government records at no cost. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503(a)(7)(A), "A records custodian may not charge for inspection of public records." This statutory provision ensures that citizens may view criminal records without payment, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents.
Free inspection of criminal records is available at the following locations:
Maury County Circuit Court Clerk
41 Public Square
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 375-1101
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Maury County Sheriff's Office
1300 Lawson White Drive
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 380-5733
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Several online resources provide free access to criminal record information:
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The Maury County Sheriff's Office maintains a free inmate lookup tool that provides information on currently incarcerated individuals, including charges and booking information.
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The Tennessee Court Information System (TnCIS) offers free basic case information searches, including defendant name, case status, and upcoming court dates.
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The Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) provides free access to information about convicted felons currently under state supervision.
While inspection is free, the following fee structure applies to copies:
- Standard paper copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Electronic records: $5.00 per CD/DVD
- Color copies: $1.00 per page
Agencies may also charge reasonable fees for extensive searches requiring more than one hour of staff time. These fees are established to recover actual costs and not to create barriers to access. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or when the information sought is in the public interest.
For comprehensive criminal history reports, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation charges a statutory fee of $29 per background check. This fee is established by state law and applies to official criminal history reports that include statewide arrest and conviction data.
What's Included in a Maury County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained in Maury County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Gender and race
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility location
- Arrest circumstances
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit, General Sessions, Municipal)
- Charges filed by prosecutor
- Statutory citations and offense classification (felony class A-E or misdemeanor class A-C)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned
- Hearing dates and continuances
- Pretrial motions and rulings
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Verdict or plea outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentence type and length
- Fines, court costs, and restitution ordered
- Probation/parole terms and conditions
- Alternative sentencing programs
- Appeal information
- Sentence completion date
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Probation/parole violations
- Incarceration history
Criminal records in Maury County are maintained in compliance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 38-6-120, which establishes standards for criminal history information. The level of detail available may vary based on the age of the record, the maintaining agency, and the disposition of the case.
Records of dismissed cases or arrests without prosecution may still appear in criminal records unless formally expunged through court order. Expungement procedures are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, which provides for the removal of eligible criminal records from public access.
How Long Does Maury County Keep Criminal Records?
Maury County adheres to the Records Management for Municipal Governments retention schedule established by the Tennessee State Library and Archives. This schedule, authorized under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-404, mandates specific retention periods for various criminal record documents.
The following retention periods apply to criminal records in Maury County:
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Arrest Records and Booking Information
- Felony cases: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor cases: 10 years after case closure
- Arrest-only records (no charges filed): 5 years from date of arrest
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Criminal Court Case Files
- Felony cases: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor cases: 10 years after final disposition
- Dismissed cases: 10 years after dismissal
- Juvenile cases: Sealed at age 18, retained for 10 years thereafter
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Incarceration Records
- Jail intake and release records: 10 years after release
- Inmate medical records: 10 years after release
- Jail incident reports: 5 years after creation
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Investigative Records
- Homicide cases: Permanent retention
- Sexual offense cases: 75 years after case closure
- Other felony investigations: 25 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor investigations: 5 years after case closure
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Court Orders and Judgments
- All court orders and judgments: Permanent retention
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Expunged Records
- Records ordered expunged by the court are physically destroyed or sealed pursuant to the court order and Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101
These retention periods represent minimum requirements. In practice, many records—particularly those related to serious offenses—are retained permanently. Digital conversion has also extended the practical retention of many records beyond their scheduled destruction dates.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal history information in the state's central repository indefinitely, unless expungement is ordered by a court. This ensures that comprehensive criminal history information remains available for law enforcement purposes even after local record destruction.
Records management practices are subject to audit by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury to ensure compliance with state retention requirements. Unauthorized destruction of criminal records is prohibited under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-504.
Lookup Criminal Records in Maury County
Sheriff's Office | Maury County, TN
Circuit Court | Maury County, TN