Davidson County Criminal Records
What Is Davidson County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Davidson County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final case disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies across both Tennessee (Nashville/Davidson County) and North Carolina (Davidson County, NC), depending on jurisdiction.
Arrest records document the act of being taken into custody and do not imply guilt, whereas conviction records reflect a formal finding of guilt following a plea, bench trial, or jury verdict. Within the conviction category, records are further classified by offense severity: felony records involve serious crimes carrying potential imprisonment of one year or more, while misdemeanor records reflect lesser offenses typically resolved with fines, probation, or shorter jail terms. Juvenile records are generally sealed by operation of law and are not accessible to the general public, in contrast to adult criminal records, which are presumptively open. Active warrant records reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document resolved matters including dismissed charges, acquittals, and completed sentences.
The principal agencies responsible for maintaining Davidson County criminal records include:
- Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking data, and jail rosters
- Circuit and District Courts / Clerk of Court — maintains case filings, arraignment records, pleas, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and dispositions
- State Bureau of Investigation (SBI/TBI) — maintains statewide criminal history repositories
- Local municipal police departments — generate initial arrest and incident reports
A complete criminal record may encompass charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing details, probation or parole conditions, and any subsequent modifications to those conditions. Members of the public seeking court case information may access the Davidson County court locations and clerk offices through the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, criminal records maintained by public agencies are classified as public records subject to inspection and copying.
Are Criminal Records Public In Davidson County
Criminal records in Davidson County are presumptively public under applicable state open records law. In North Carolina, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6 mandates that every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision. In Tennessee, the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503) similarly establishes that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any citizen.
The following categories of records are generally available to the public:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Arrest logs and booking records
- Court proceedings, case filings, and sentencing orders
- Sex offender registration information
- Jail rosters and inmate status
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Expunged or expunction-ordered records
- Certain victim-identifying information
- Mental health and medical records associated with criminal proceedings
- Grand jury materials and sealed indictments
Members of the public should be aware that expungement orders, when granted by a court, remove qualifying records from public access entirely. Agencies are prohibited from disclosing expunged records to the general public under applicable state law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Davidson County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Davidson County criminal records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the correct agency. Determine whether the record sought originates from a court proceeding, a law enforcement arrest, or a statewide criminal history repository. Court records are held by the Clerk of Court; arrest and jail records are held by the Sheriff's Office; comprehensive background check records are held by the SBI or TBI.
Step 2 — Submit a public records request. Most agencies accept requests in person, by mail, or through an online portal. Requesters should provide the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and any known case or booking numbers to facilitate accurate retrieval.
Step 3 — Pay applicable fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records. Inspection of records in person is generally provided at no charge under state law.
Step 4 — Allow processing time. Agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time. Complex requests involving voluminous records may require additional processing time.
Step 5 — Obtain certified copies if required. For legal proceedings, employment background checks, or licensing purposes, requesters may need certified copies, which carry an official seal and signature from the custodial agency.
Davidson County Sheriff's Office (Nashville, TN) 506 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201 (615) 862-8100 Davidson County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Davidson County Clerk of Court (Lexington, NC) 110 West Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 242-6700 Davidson County | North Carolina Judicial Branch Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
How To Find Criminal Records in Davidson County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Davidson County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
North Carolina Court Records Portal The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online case search system that allows members of the public to search civil and criminal court records by name, case number, or filing date. The portal provides access to case status, charges, dispositions, and scheduled court dates. Members of the public may access court records and background check guidance through the NC Judicial Branch help center. No registration is required for basic name searches; however, access to certain document images may require a registered account.
Davidson County Sheriff's Office Online Jail Roster The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible online jail roster that lists individuals currently in custody, including booking date, charges, and bond information. This resource is updated regularly and does not require registration.
NC Department of Adult Correction — Offender Search The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction provides a statewide criminal offender search tool that allows members of the public to search for individuals currently or previously under the supervision of the state correctional system. The database includes incarceration status, offense information, and projected release dates.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) — Criminal History The TBI provides online access to criminal history records for a fee through its public portal. Requesters must create an account and submit payment before results are returned.
Records available exclusively in person or by mail include sealed case documents, older paper-based records not yet digitized, and certified copies requiring an official seal.
Can You Search Davidson County Criminal Records for Free?
State law currently mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies may charge only for the actual cost of reproducing records, not for the act of inspection itself. In-person inspection at the Clerk of Court or Sheriff's Office is therefore available at no cost.
The following resources are currently available free of charge:
- NC eCourts Case Search — free name-based searches of court case records statewide, including Davidson County criminal cases
- Davidson County Jail Roster — free online access to current inmate listings maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Search — free public search of state correctional supervision records
- Arrest logs — available for in-person inspection at the Sheriff's Office at no charge
Fees are typically assessed for the following:
- Printed or photocopied records (per-page fees set by agency)
- Certified copies of court documents
- Statewide criminal history background checks processed through the SBI or TBI
- Third-party background check services
Members of the public who require only basic case status or conviction information may satisfy most needs through the free online portals listed above without incurring any cost.
What's Included in a Davidson County Criminal Record?
A comprehensive Davidson County criminal record contains multiple categories of identifying and case-specific information compiled across the lifecycle of a criminal matter.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI Number (where assigned)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and facility name
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
- Jail facility and housing assignment
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges as filed, including applicable statutes and offense classification (felony class or misdemeanor class)
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Attorney of record (defense and prosecution)
- Continuances, motions, and hearing dates
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details: type of sentence (incarceration, probation, suspended sentence), length, fines, restitution amounts, and special conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole supervision terms and supervising officer
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications and license actions
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges and scheduled court appearances
How Long Does Davidson County Keep Criminal Records?
Davidson County agencies retain criminal records in accordance with state-mandated retention schedules. Retention periods vary by record type and the agency responsible for custody.
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony conviction records | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor conviction records | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expunction eligibility |
| Dismissed charges | Retained until expunction order or statutory period |
| Juvenile adjudication records | Sealed; destroyed upon petition or at age of majority per statute |
| Jail booking records | Minimum 3–7 years depending on offense class |
| Court case files (felony) | Permanent |
| Court case files (misdemeanor) | 10 years minimum |
| Probation/parole records | Duration of supervision plus 5–10 years |
In North Carolina, records retention is governed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which publishes official retention schedules applicable to all county agencies. Felony conviction records and court case files for serious offenses are retained permanently as a matter of public record. Arrest records that did not result in conviction may be eligible for expunction under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145, which governs the expunction of certain criminal records and, upon court order, requires the physical destruction or sealing of qualifying records by all custodial agencies. In Tennessee, the Tennessee State Library and Archives publishes county records retention schedules that establish minimum holding periods for all categories of criminal justice records.