Find Murfreesboro Bench Warrants
Murfreesboro bench warrants go through the Rutherford County court system. With roughly 160,000 residents, Murfreesboro is one of the fastest-growing cities in Tennessee and serves as the county seat of Rutherford County. The Murfreesboro Police Department does not offer an online warrant search, so you need to call or visit in person to check for active bench warrants. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Court Clerk also handle warrant records. This page walks through every option for searching and resolving bench warrants in Murfreesboro.
Murfreesboro Quick Facts
Murfreesboro Bench Warrant Search
The Murfreesboro Police Department has made it clear: they do not have a public online warrant search system. This is stated on their website. To check for a bench warrant in Murfreesboro, you must call or visit the police department at 1004 N. Highland Ave. The main line is 615-893-1311. The Records Room number is 615-849-2670. The Records Division can be reached at extension 44000.
Keep in mind that if you go in person and there is an active bench warrant with your name on it, you could be taken into custody right there. For that reason, many people hire a lawyer to make the inquiry on their behalf. The Murfreesboro Municipal Court phone number is 615-898-7703 for court-specific questions about bench warrants.
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at 940 New Salem Highway handles warrant service for the whole county. Phone: 615-898-7303. Sheriff Michael Fitzhugh runs the office. Their most wanted list is available online, and the jail roster gets updated daily. For bench warrants issued by county courts rather than the city municipal court, the sheriff's office is the right contact.
Rutherford County Courts and Warrants
The Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk, Jill Fisser, manages records for Circuit Court, General Sessions, and Juvenile Court. The online docket system allows searches by date, court division, or case type. You can also search by party name or case number. Bench warrants in Murfreesboro typically show up as failure-to-appear entries in the docket system. Phone: 615-898-7820. Fax: 615-898-7791.
The Criminal Court Clerk handles felony and more serious criminal cases. General Sessions covers misdemeanors. Public records are available during business hours with proof of Tennessee residency. Copy fees apply under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Bond information for current cases is also maintained through these offices.
The City of Murfreesboro website connects residents to police services and court information for bench warrant inquiries.
Murfreesboro Bench Warrant Penalties
Under TCA § 39-16-609, failure to appear in Murfreesboro carries the same penalties as anywhere else in Tennessee. A Class A misdemeanor means up to 11 months and 29 days behind bars plus a $2,500 fine. Willful failure to appear is a Class E felony, which brings 1 to 6 years in prison and up to $3,000 in fines. These penalties are in addition to whatever you were originally charged with.
Felony bench warrants never expire. They remain active until served or recalled. The Rutherford County courts keep digital records of all active warrants. If you get stopped by police anywhere in Tennessee, they can pull up your bench warrant through the statewide system. Traffic bench warrants may also lead to driver's license suspension through the Tennessee traffic safety network.
Resolving Bench Warrants in Murfreesboro
Get a lawyer involved early. A criminal defense attorney in Rutherford County can contact the court on your behalf and often arrange for a warrant recall and new hearing date. For minor cases, the judge may reset your case without requiring bail. For serious charges, bond will be needed.
Voluntary surrender at the Rutherford County Jail can work in your favor. Judges tend to look more kindly on people who turn themselves in rather than waiting to get picked up. Bring a valid photo ID and any court papers you have. The Tennessee Court System website has self-help forms and resources for people handling their own cases. The Tennessee Sheriff's Association maintains a directory of all 95 county sheriffs.
- Contact a Rutherford County criminal defense lawyer
- Call the Murfreesboro Police Records Room at 615-849-2670
- Check the Rutherford County Circuit Court docket online
- Prepare to post bond if the judge requires it
Note: All records requests need proof of Tennessee residency under TCA § 10-7-504.
Rutherford County Bench Warrants
Murfreesboro is the county seat of Rutherford County. All bench warrants pass through the Rutherford County court system and sheriff's office. For county-wide details on courts, warrant searches, and fees, visit the Rutherford County page.
Nearby Tennessee Cities
Other cities near Murfreesboro have their own bench warrant pages with local details.