Knox County, TN Warrant Search, Arrests, Inmates, Jails and Sheriff

An arrest warrant is a judge’s or magistrate court order given at law enforcement’s request authorizing an individual’s arrest and detention. Arrest warrants are no fun and can disrupt your life if not resolved. The Knox County Courthouse officials, such as the magistrate and judges, issue various types of warrants depending on the need or purpose. However, as the law requires, the court must establish probable cause before issuing a warrant. Therefore, the requesting officer, a peace officer, sheriff, or police officer, must present a written statement and affidavit to the court. After examination, the court must decide whether there are enough grounds to issue a warrant.

Where to Conduct an Arrest Warrant Search

Knox County Sheriff’s Office

Knox County sheriff’s office provides free public searches on their database online or through the phone, where you can request warrant information. Alternatively, you can visit the sheriff’s office at 400 Main Street Knoxville, TN 37902, or contact 865-215-2432 to obtain the arrest warrants.

District Attorney’s Office

The district office is in charge of prosecuting individuals arrested within Knox County. The office has the most accurate and updated information on warrants. You can visit the office physically or contact us to obtain the information on warrant records.

Police Department

You can visit your local police department to check for an arrest warrant for free. However, you may risk triggering an arrest attempt, especially if you have an outstanding arrest warrant.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation acts as the primary custodian of the criminal records for Knox County. Therefore, you can perform a criminal background check request online, where some charges may incur for the services provided. For a successful search, you must provide personal information, such as the name.

Knox County Arrests

The law enforcement entities such as the FBI, sheriff’s department, and the police have the authority to conduct arrests of suspects for committing a crime.

Crime Statistics

The TBI collects crime data in Knox County. In 2018, there were seven recorded murders, 55 rapes, 564 aggravated assaults, and 1751 simple assaults. In addition, the property crimes included 18 arsons, 569 burglaries, 45 robberies, 2515 larceny thefts, and 499 vehicle thefts.

Types of Arrest Warrants

Search Warrant

A search warrant is a legal document that orders a law enforcement officer, such as the police, to search premises or an individual. The law enforcement agents must provide warrant requests with affidavits to produce enough reasons or probable cause for the court officials to issue the search warrant. After a search warrant is issued, the law enforcement officers must execute the warrant within five days of issue.

Major Exceptions when Police May Search Without a Warrant?

• Consent search-when, an individual is in control of the premise and voluntarily consents to the search.
• Search incident to arrest (SITA)-the police have the right to search a person being lawfully arrested and the area in their wingspan or immediate control.
• Automobile exception-if the police have probable cause to believe any vehicle consists of evidence of a crime, they can search those areas that may include the type of evidence suspected to be present.
• The plain view doctrine– the police officers may search or seize evidence in plain view when the officer is around.
• Stop frisk-the police can stop and search a person if there is a reasonable suspicion of a criminal act, and the officer can give the reasons for that suspicion.
• Emergencies- If a suspect enters private premises while police are following them, police can enter and search that premises without a warrant, even if the suspect has no connection with the property owner.

Bench Warrant

A bench warrant is a warrant given by a judge in a criminal or civil case for refusing to appear in court or violating probation. In addition, a bench warrant may be issued due to failure to follow any court order, such as paying a fine. When a bench warrant is given, your name is included in the state computer system used by all law enforcement personnel. Police don’t come immediately to look for you for a bench warrant. However, if you have an active outstanding bench warrant during any police stop, you may be taken to jail to appear in court.

What is Failure to Appear In Knox County?

A failure-to-appear warrant is a type of bench warrant that the court issues when a person misses a court date or fails to appear in response to a summon. According to Per Tenn. Code § 39-16-609, it is prohibited for any person to fail to appear in court if; willfully.

• The person willfully goes into hiding to avoid a court appearance
• The court released the individual on bail or recognizance
• A law enforcement officer issued the individual a citation
• The court issues a criminal summons directed to the individual

However, the court may not penalize individuals who have good defenses for missing court or failing to appear. Some of the good defenses include hospital visits or parole obligations.

Active Warrant

The active warrants are warrants which have been issued recently. When you have an active warrant, it means that there is a high possibility of you being arrested and taken into police custody at any time. Moreover, active warrants put you in the police computer system; hence, if you suspect a warrant, you can access the appropriate resources, such as an attorney.

Outstanding Warrants

Outstanding warrants are active warrants that have been around for a long time with no resolution. The outstanding warrants are valid despite their age because the arrest warrants do not expire. In most cases, outstanding warrants exist because law enforcement agencies have failed to serve them; therefore, even the intended recipient of the warrants has no idea if they exist.

What details can you find on the Arrest Warrants?

Under Tennessee’s Rules of Criminal Procedure, arrest warrants must contain the following details;

• The issuing officer’s signature
• The name of the county issuing the warrant
• An order of arrest
• The defendant’s name or a reasonably clear description of the defendant
• The alleged offense.

Knox County Sheriffs Office - Aviation Division

Address

2701 Spence Place, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37920

Phone

865-577-7193

Website

website

County Jails in Knox County, TN

Police Departments in Knox County, TN

Knox County, TN Incarceration Statistics

Knox County, TN Jail Inmate Population, Jail Pretrial Population and Confined Population, for 2010-2015 years

Knox County, TN Female Population, Rate & Count for 2010-2015 years

Knox County, TN Male Population, Rate & Count for 2010-2015 years

Knox County, TN Incarceration Rates by Race, for 2010-2015 years