Start with the Criminal Court Clerk for Davidson County case history
Criminal records in Nashville and Davidson County are split between several agencies. The Criminal Court Clerk maintains public criminal court information and docket records; the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office handles current and released inmate records; Metro Nashville Police maintains arrest and police reports; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides statewide Tennessee criminal-history checks; and the Tennessee Department of Correction provides felony-offender information. Using the correct agency first can save several unnecessary searches.
Davidson County criminal records are not stored in one database
The phrase “criminal record” can refer to several different government records. In Davidson County, knowing which office created the information is often the quickest way to find it.
Criminal court cases
General Sessions criminal cases, State Trial Court criminal matters, court dates, docket information, dispositions and public criminal case records.
Jail / inmate records
Current and released offender information and general Davidson County jail records.
Police and arrest records
Incident reports, police-created arrest records, crash reports, body-camera records and related law-enforcement records.
Statewide Tennessee history
Tennessee-only name-based criminal-history reports from the state’s central criminal-history repository.
Felony offender records
Information on people currently or formerly under Tennessee Department of Correction custody or supervision.
Federal criminal cases
Federal prosecutions in Nashville are separate from Davidson County criminal cases and use PACER.
Search Davidson County criminal court cases online
The official Criminal Court Clerk of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County provides public access to Davidson County criminal case information, dockets and related court services.
The Clerk’s office handles records for both General Sessions criminal proceedings and State Trial Criminal Courts in the Twentieth Judicial District.
Open Criminal Court Clerk Justice Integration ServicesHow to find a Davidson County criminal case step by step
Open the Criminal Court Clerk website
Start with the official Clerk site and select the public case-information search.
Search the strongest identifier you have
Use the person’s full name, case number or other supported case identifier. A known case number is much more precise than a common-name search.
Confirm that the case belongs to the correct person
Compare middle name, DOB or other available identifiers, case dates and known Nashville/Davidson County connections.
Review the court history
Look for filed charges, court events, scheduled hearings, pleas and final dispositions.
Check every count separately
One case can contain several charges with different outcomes. Do not assume every filed count led to conviction.
Order the official record if needed
Obtain a plain or certified copy from the Criminal Court Clerk when the record will be used for a formal purpose.
How to read Davidson County criminal case information correctly
| Case information | What it usually means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Case number | Unique identifier for the court proceeding. | Use this number for copy requests and future searches. |
| Charge | The criminal offense alleged in court. | An allegation alone does not establish conviction. |
| Court date | A scheduled or completed court event. | Check whether it was continued, reset or completed. |
| Plea | The defendant’s response to the charge. | Read later entries because the final outcome can differ. |
| Disposition | How the charge was resolved. | Check each count independently. |
| Sentence | Penalty or conditions imposed following a qualifying disposition. | Confirm which charge the sentence belongs to. |
Check Davidson County criminal court dockets and upcoming hearings
The Criminal Court Clerk publishes real-time docket and reporting information through its website. Nashville’s Justice Integration Services also links users to criminal dockets and public case information.
Docket information can help answer questions such as:
- when the next criminal hearing is scheduled
- which court is handling the case
- which judge is assigned
- whether a hearing has been reset
- what courtroom or docket the case appears on
- whether later court events occurred after an older search
Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk background checks
The Criminal Court Clerk specifically offers access to public Davidson County criminal records. According to the Clerk, public records can be viewed in the office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at no viewing charge.
The office also provides free online record summaries and can issue copies or certified copies when needed.
How to get copies or certified Davidson County criminal records
The Criminal Court Clerk allows requests in person or by mail.
| Service | Current Clerk fee | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Non-certified copy | $0.50 per page | Ordinary reference copy. |
| Certification and seal | $5 per certification | Officially certified court copy. |
| Certified copy pages | $0.50 per page plus certification | Formal record for legal or administrative use. |
| Online public case summary | Free | Research and case identification. |
Mail request instructions
The Clerk instructs mail requesters to contact the office first to determine the exact charge, then include:
- the record or document requested
- case number when known
- payment in full
- cashier’s check or money order
- self-addressed stamped envelope
- enough identifying detail to locate the correct case
Mail criminal record requests to
Criminal Court Clerk’s Office408 2nd Avenue North
Suite 2120
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 862-5601
The Clerk also states that credit or debit card payment can be arranged by calling the office. A copy request is not processed until the required payment is received.
Visit the Criminal Court Clerk in person
Justice A.A. Birch Building
408 2nd Avenue NorthSuite 2120
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: 615-862-5601
Public record viewing hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Make the search easier
- full legal name
- middle name if known
- date of birth if available
- case number if already found online
- approximate case year
- specific document needed
Justice A.A. Birch Building map
The Criminal Court Clerk is located in the Justice A.A. Birch Building in downtown Nashville.
Search Davidson County inmate and custody information
The Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff’s Office provides an Active Inmate Search and an Offender Information Center.
The Offender Information Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for questions concerning current and released offenders held in Davidson County Sheriff facilities.
Offender Information Center
Phone: 615-862-8123
Request Davidson County jail records from the Sheriff
The Sheriff’s records center provides general offender jail records to the public.
Current published hours are: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.. The Sheriff says an advance appointment is not necessary.
Davidson County Sheriff Records Center
610 W Due West AveMadison, TN 37115
Offender records phone: 615-862-8123
How to request Metro Nashville police and arrest records
Police-created reports in Davidson County are generally handled through the Categories US Criminal Record