- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
What are Tennessee Court Records?
Tennessee is the 15th most populous state in the United States. Its court system, which includes courts of limited jurisdiction, trial courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court, serves the state population, estimated at over 7.1 million. Each of these courts has a court clerk who helps the court to run efficiently. They accept filings, schedule hearings, and maintain court records, among other administrative duties.
Court records are official records, information, or documents collected from court proceedings involving different cases, including civil and criminal cases. Generally, they may be in the form of papers, letters, sound recordings, books, and any other material related to court proceedings. Court records may be used for several purposes, including legal research, historical research, and as vital evidence in a court of law. Unless expressly marked as confidential under state law or sealed by court orders, most Tennessee court records are public and open to inspection under the state's Public Records Act. The following are some of the items that make up a typical Tennessee Court record:
Docket
This is a summarized log of the complete history of court proceedings arranged in chronological form.
Case File
This is a complete pack of original documents submitted about a case in any court proceedings.
Transcript
This is created in a court proceeding as a written, word-for-word document from what was said in the court. The proceeding may either be a trial or other formal conversation, like an oral disposition or a hearing.
Evidence
This is any proof presented in a court case, especially at trial, to convince the judge to decide the case in favor of the party proving it. It may be in the form of a document or testimony of a witness.
Pleading
This is a written statement that a party to a case files with the court describing their objective assertion or position about the case. In other words, it is a document in which a party articulates or responds to claims, allegations, defenses, or denials.
Opinion
This is a judge's written explanation of the court's decision.
Brief
A brief is a written statement or argument prepared and submitted by the lawyer for each party in a lawsuit to support their case. It may be submitted in a trial or appellate proceedings to explain why a judge should rule in favor of the attorney's client.
Affidavit
This is a printed or written statement made under oath by the party to a case.
Complaint
Typically, a complaint is what starts off a civil case. It is a written statement in which the plaintiff states the alleged misdeeds of the defendant or claims against such an individual.
Indictment
A criminal case often begins with an indictment. An indictment is a formal accusation voted by a grand jury upon request by a prosecutor to charge an individual with a crime. It indicates there is enough proof that the alleged offender committed a crime to justify starting a trial.
Motion
This is a specific request (written or oral) by a party to a case asking the judge to issue an order or ruling in their favor. It may be during or after a trial.
Types of Court Cases
Various types of cases are filed with Tennessee courts under two broad categories - Criminal cases and civil cases.
Criminal Cases
In Tennessee, a criminal case is a legal matter in which an accused person is charged in court for criminal offenses. Criminal offenses that may result in criminal charges are broadly categorized as felonies and misdemeanors under state law. Felonies are more serious crimes than misdemeanors and include kidnapping, assault, robbery, burglary, arson, manslaughter, and murder. Examples of misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee include prostitution, reckless driving, domestic assault, theft, DUI, and other petty theft.
Typically, criminal cases in Tennessee are brought against accused individuals by the state and not by any person. In a criminal case hearing, the person representing the state (prosecutor) must prove to the court beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (accused person) is indeed guilty of the crime allegedly committed. If found guilty of a crime in a criminal case, the defendant risks prison term, fine, or both. In extreme cases, the penalty may also be the death penalty.
Civil Cases
These are legal matters involving disputes between individuals or companies over injury, personal rights, or money. To initiate a civil case in Tennessee, a person or company (the plaintiff) files a complaint with the court stating they have been harmed by the actions of another individual or entity. Typically, a judge or jury is required to determine the facts of the case, apply the relevant law to such facts, and make their decisions or final judgment based on the analysis of the law and facts.
Generally, the judge or jury in most civil cases makes their final judgments based on a standard of proof known as preponderance of the evidence. Based on this standard, the narrative of the party in whose favor the judge or jury rules or decides is more likely than not. In other words, the judge or jury believes more in their evidence than the evidence presented by the other party. Common examples of civil cases in Tennessee include landlord-tenant cases, breach of contract cases, torts, divorce cases, property disputes, and small claims.
Most civil cases in Tennessee go through a few stages, although the stages are not cast in stone as the procedure may be altered depending on the case and the court. Generally, there is a pre-filing stage where a dispute arises, and the parties involved compile information. They may also try to bargain a resolution or prepare for the possibility of going to trial. At the pleading stage, the plaintiff files a complaint to initiate a civil case, and the defendant files a response. Afterward, both parties will exchange information in what is known as the discovery stage. Following this is the pre-trial stage, where both sides prepare for trial, obtain evidence, and probably get witnesses. The case is heard and decided by the judge or jury at the trial stage. There may also be a post-trial stage, during which one party to the case may appeal the decision of the trial court.
What Are the Different Courts in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a three-tier court system with a Supreme Court, two intermediate appellate courts, four trial courts, and locally funded general sessions, juvenile, and municipal courts, supported by an estimated state judicial branch budget of about $208 million for fiscal year 2026.
| Court Level | Court Name | Jurisdiction | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appellate | Supreme Court | Statewide appeals; five justices | Court of last resort that reviews appeals from the appellate courts, hears death penalty appeals, and regulates the practice of law. |
| Appellate | Court of Appeals | Statewide civil appeals; 12 judges | Reviews civil judgments of the circuit, chancery, probate, and juvenile courts and certain agency decisions. |
| Appellate | Court of Criminal Appeals | Statewide criminal appeals; 12 judges | Reviews criminal convictions, sentences, and post-conviction and habeas corpus rulings. |
| General Jurisdiction | Circuit Courts | Civil and criminal cases, including divorce and personal injury | Hold jury trials, hear divorce and custody matters, and review appeals from general sessions and municipal courts. |
| General Jurisdiction | Chancery Courts | Equity cases, probate, and domestic matters | Decide injunctions, contract and property disputes, estates, and many divorce and custody cases. |
| General Jurisdiction | Criminal Courts | Felony prosecutions in participating judicial districts | Try felony cases and hear appeals of misdemeanor convictions from lower courts. |
| General Jurisdiction | Probate Courts | Wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships in certain counties | Administer estates and decide guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. |
| Limited Jurisdiction | General Sessions Courts | Misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and civil claims up to $25,000 | Handle traffic and misdemeanor cases, set bail, hold felony preliminary hearings, and decide small civil disputes. |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Juvenile Courts | Delinquent, unruly, dependent, and neglected children | Decide juvenile offenses and child welfare cases, often heard by general sessions judges. |
| Limited Jurisdiction | Municipal Courts | City ordinance violations and some traffic offenses | Resolve ordinance and local traffic cases within city limits. |
How Many Federal Courts Are in Tennessee?
There are three federal courts in Tennessee. These are:
- The United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee (headquartered in Memphis)
- The United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee (headquartered in Nashville)
- The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee (headquartered in Knoxville)
These courts exercise jurisdiction over federal cases originating in the state. They may only hear cases that involve questions about federal law and diversity. Cases of diversity jurisdiction are legal matters in which the amount in controversy is over $75,000 involving two citizens from another state. The judges sitting on the three federal courts in Tennessee are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The distribution of judges in each federal district court in the state is five judges for the Western District, four judges for the Middle District, and five for the Eastern District. Each judge serves a lifetime term.
How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Tennessee?
Tennessee trial and general sessions courts recorded an estimated 258,800 new case filings in 2023, with criminal cases making up nearly two-thirds. Clearance rates run at an estimated 98% to 100%, with dispositions roughly keeping pace with new filings.
| Case Type | Annual Filings | % of Total | Common Offense/Subtype | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic | ~30,400 | ~11.7% | Criminal traffic offenses such as DUI and driving on a revoked or suspended license | ~100% |
| Criminal | ~121,800 | ~47.1% | Drug offenses, probation violations, burglary, assault, and other misdemeanors and felonies | ~100% |
| Civil | ~28,000 | ~10.8% | Contract disputes, personal injury, property, and collection cases | ~98% |
| Small Claims | ~10,000 | ~3.9% | General sessions civil claims up to $25,000, mostly debt and landlord-tenant disputes | ~98% |
| Domestic Relations | ~21,000 | ~8.1% | Divorce, custody, child support, and orders of protection | ~98% |
| Juvenile | ~3,500 | ~1.4% | Delinquency, dependency and neglect, and unruly child petitions | ~100% |
| Other | ~44,100 | ~17.0% | Probate, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships | ~98% |
| Total | ~258,800 | 100% | — | ~99% |
How Do I Look Up Court Cases in Tennessee?
The clerks of courts in Tennessee are responsible for filing court documents and disseminating court records in the state. The ideal way to look up court records or cases in the state is to identify the courts in the custody of those records and submit a request. Such a request can be made in person or by email. Requesters are usually required to provide certain information to facilitate the search, including the names of the parties involved in the case, the case number, and the filing date.
The Public Case History also allows interested persons to look up the status of appealed cases in the Tennessee appellate courts. Users can search the database using the case number, case style, party name, or business/organization name. There is currently no state-run online database for looking up court cases or records in Tennessee.
Number of Active Judges — State & Federal
Tennessee has an estimated 335 state judges across its appellate, trial, and general sessions courts, alongside 13 active federal district judges in three districts.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Active Judges | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme Court | Statewide appellate | 5 | Appointed by the Governor from Judicial Nominating Commission nominees; retention election every 8 years |
| Court of Appeals | Statewide civil appeals | 12 | Appointed by the Governor from commission nominees; retention election every 8 years |
| Court of Criminal Appeals | Statewide criminal appeals | 12 | Appointed by the Governor from commission nominees; retention election every 8 years |
| Circuit Courts | General jurisdiction trial courts | ~85 | Elected by voters in the judicial district to 8-year terms |
| Chancery Courts | General jurisdiction equity courts | ~33 | Elected by voters in the judicial district to 8-year terms |
| Criminal Courts | General jurisdiction felony courts | ~31 | Elected by voters in the judicial district to 8-year terms |
| Probate Courts | Wills, estates, and guardianships | ~3 | Elected by county voters to 8-year terms |
| General Sessions Courts | Limited jurisdiction misdemeanor and civil courts | ~154 | Elected by county voters to 8-year terms |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee | Federal trial court | 4 | Nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate |
| U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee | Federal trial court | 4 | Nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate |
| U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee | Federal trial court | 5 | Nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate |
| Total Active Judges | — | ~348 | — |
What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Tennessee?
Some court records in Tennessee are restricted from public disclosure, either because they are sealed or marked confidential by state or federal law. For instance, records of family law cases involving minors are limited from public disclosure in the state. Similarly, most juvenile court records are not available for public inspection or copying.
Per Rule 34(2)(C) of the Public Access or Court Records, the following court records are not open to public inspection and must be treated as confidential:
- Court documents expressly exempted from public disclosure by the state's Public Records Act.
- Copies of motions, briefs, petitions, and other similar documents filed with the court and already presented to a judge for their personal use unless such documents were intentionally filed as part of the case record.
- Court documents protected from public disclosure rule or order of court, including sealed documents or records.
- Information maintained by a judge regarding their recusal from particular court cases unless it was intentionally filed as part of the case record.
Average Case Processing Time & Clearance Rates
Processing time in Tennessee depends on the type of case and the court that hears it: ticketed traffic and misdemeanor cases in general sessions courts resolve quickly, while civil, divorce, and felony cases in circuit, chancery, and criminal courts take longer. The figures below are statewide estimates.
| Case Type | Court Level | Average Processing Time | Description | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic & Parking | Limited Jurisdiction | ~30–60 days | Heard in general sessions and municipal courts; most are resolved by paying a fine or attending traffic school, and contested tickets get a bench trial. | ~100% |
| Small Claims | Limited Jurisdiction | ~2–4 months | Filed in general sessions civil court for claims up to $25,000; a hearing is set after service and most are decided in one hearing. | ~98% |
| Misdemeanor Criminal | Limited Jurisdiction | ~3–6 months | Start with an arraignment in general sessions court and end in a plea, diversion, or trial. | ~100% |
| Civil Cases | General Jurisdiction | ~12–18 months | Move through pleadings, discovery, and motions in circuit or chancery court, and most settle before trial. | ~98% |
| Domestic Relations | General Jurisdiction | ~6–12 months | Divorces involve a 60-day waiting period without children and 90 days with children; contested custody cases take longer. | ~98% |
| Felony Criminal | General Jurisdiction | ~8–12 months | Follow a general sessions preliminary hearing with grand jury indictment, plea negotiations, and trial or sentencing in criminal or circuit court. | ~100% |