Bedford County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Bedford County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Bedford County may access publicly available information through BedfordCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records in Bedford County, Tennessee, are maintained across multiple agencies, and the scope of accessible information depends on the requesting party, the nature of the record, and applicable state law.
Records that may be located through official channels include:
- Arrest records and booking reports
- Circuit Court and General Sessions Court case files
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Disposition records, including plea agreements and sentencing
- Active and historical warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Jail and inmate records
Records can be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online government portals. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk maintains records of all criminal and civil cases filed in Circuit Court and General Sessions Court. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number to facilitate the search. Public access terminals are available at the clerk's office for on-site record review.
Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk
1 Public Square, Suite 204
Shelbyville, TN 37160
Phone: (931) 684-1694
Circuit Court Clerk – Bedford County Government
2. Sheriff's Office
The Bedford County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. Members of the public may submit records requests in person or in writing during non-emergency business hours. Fees may apply for copies of records. The Sheriff's Office is located at the Bedford County Justice Complex.
Bedford County Sheriff's Office
110 Northcreek Drive
Shelbyville, TN 37160
Phone: (931) 684-3232
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Sheriff's Office – Bedford County Government
3. Online Court Search
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts operates the Tennessee Court Case Search portal, which allows members of the public to search for case information by party name, case number, or filing date. Users should note that not all historical records are available online, and the portal does not substitute for a certified background check. Searches are conducted by entering the subject's full legal name and selecting the appropriate county jurisdiction.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serves as the state's official criminal history repository. Members of the public may request a criminal history background check through the TBI Criminal History Records portal. Fingerprint-based submissions are required for official background checks. Processing times and fees apply; at present, the standard fee for a name-based public records check is $29.00. Fingerprint-based checks require submission through an authorized LiveScan provider.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
5. Written and Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk or the Bedford County Sheriff's Office by mail. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, government entities are required to respond to public records requests promptly, and in no event later than seven business days from receipt of the request.
What Is Bedford County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Bedford County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Tennessee law, criminal records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through the judicial process, from arraignment through disposition, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision.
The distinction between record types is significant for members of the public conducting searches:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt, whether by plea or trial verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve offenses classified as Class A through Class E felonies under Tennessee law and carry more severe penalties. Misdemeanor records involve Class A, B, or C misdemeanors and are also maintained in the court system.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are confidential under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and court system. Historical records document past arrests and case outcomes.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Bedford County include the Bedford County Sheriff's Office (arrest records, jail records, and booking information), the Circuit Court Clerk (court case files, dispositions, and sentencing records), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments within the county. Records may reflect charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing terms, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Bedford County
Criminal records in Bedford County are public records under Tennessee's open records law. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 establishes that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by law. As the Tennessee Attorney General has noted, "The Public Records Act reflects a legislative policy that government records should be open and available to the public."
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court proceedings, case dispositions, sentencing information, and booking records. Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Records subject to active investigative privilege
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by judicial order
- Pardoned offenses, where the pardon order specifies removal from public access
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not accessible through state or county channels. Members of the public seeking guidance on the scope of Tennessee's open records law may consult the Tennessee Attorney General's Public Records page.
How To Find Criminal Records in Bedford County Online?
Official County Resources
The Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains records of criminal and civil cases filed in Circuit Court and General Sessions Court. At present, in-person inspection at the clerk's office remains the primary method for accessing detailed case files. The Circuit Court Clerk – Bedford County Government page provides contact information and office hours for members of the public planning an in-person visit.
State-Level Resources
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides a statewide case search tool accessible through the Tennessee Court Case Search portal. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) application allows members of the public to search for felony offenders by name at no charge. Official statewide background checks with certified results are available from the TBI for a fee.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations.
- Searching by case number yields the most precise results when the number is known.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as records may be distributed across court, sheriff, and state systems.
- Be aware that sealed or expunged records will not appear in public search results.
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating digital systems may not be available online and may require an in-person request. Online search results do not constitute an official certified background check for employment, licensing, or legal purposes.
Can You Search Bedford County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. In-person inspection of criminal records is available at the Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk's office and the Bedford County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours. Copying fees apply to reproductions of records.
2. Free Online Databases: The TBI's Felony Offender Information Lookup is available to the public at no cost and provides name-based searches of felony offender records statewide. The Tennessee Court Case Search portal also provides free access to case index information.
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Bedford County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records that members of the public may inspect in person during business hours.
What Costs Money
| Record Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $0.50–$1.00 per page (varies) |
| Official TBI background check (name-based) | $29.00 |
| Fingerprint-based background check | Varies by LiveScan provider |
| Staff-assisted record searches | May incur labor fees |
| Expedited processing | Additional fee may apply |
State Fee Law
Tennessee's public records fee structure is governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for copies but prohibits charges for inspection alone. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Bedford County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A Bedford County criminal record at present includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records include the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the name of the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding or historical warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI notations
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion program records (where expungement has been granted)
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may petition the originating court or agency for correction. Individuals seeking to correct TBI records may submit a challenge through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's criminal history records unit.
How Long Does Bedford County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Tennessee's records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to adhere to these schedules.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; subject to destruction per statute |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files on a permanent basis in accordance with Tennessee court records retention rules. The Bedford County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to the applicable state retention schedule. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy is maintained in accordance with state standards.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts access to a record without eliminating it. Expungement, available under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, results in the removal of eligible records from public access and directs agencies to treat the offense as if it never occurred. Expungement eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the passage of a required waiting period. Even following expungement, records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for authorized purposes.
Old Records Access
Records predating digital systems may require special in-person requests and, in some cases, may be located in the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county systems. Federal records are not subject to state expungement orders.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions that remain in the public record will appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, or licensing purposes. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at present cover criminal history for seven to ten years in most contexts, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure regardless of the age of the conviction.