Dickson County Bench Warrant Search
Bench warrants in Dickson County are issued through the General Sessions Court and the Circuit Court, both located at the Dickson County Justice Center in Charlotte. The General Sessions Court was established in 1957 and serves as a key point of entry for criminal cases in the county. Dickson County has four Judicial Commissioners who work around the clock to issue warrants when a judge is not available. If you need to check on an active bench warrant in Dickson County, you can reach the General Sessions Court Clerk at (615) 789-5414 or visit the Justice Center at 500 Spring Street in Charlotte.
Dickson County Quick Facts
Dickson County General Sessions Court
The Dickson County General Sessions Court handles a large volume of bench warrant cases. This court deals with misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. The court serves multiple agencies in Dickson County, including the Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, TBI, and ABC agents. Court Clerk Leslie Shelton manages the records for this court.
The court follows a set weekly schedule. Traffic cases are heard on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Violation of probation hearings take place on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. Civil cases go on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Municipal criminal matters are heard on Thursday at 9:00 a.m., and county criminal cases are on Friday at 9:00 a.m. If you miss any of these scheduled hearings, the judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest in Dickson County. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The General Sessions Court is located at the Dickson County Justice Center, 500 Spring Street, P.O. Box 217, Charlotte, TN 37036. The fax number is (615) 789-3456. Bench warrants from this court go to the sheriff for execution.
Below is a screenshot of the Dickson County General Sessions Court page where you can find court schedule and contact information.
Check the court website for any updates to the hearing schedule before your court date in Dickson County.
Bench Warrant Service in Dickson County
The Dickson County Sheriff's Office carries out bench warrants issued by the courts. When a judge signs a bench warrant, it is entered into the system and goes to the sheriff for service. Deputies can arrest you on a bench warrant at any time and any place. This includes during traffic stops, at your home, or at your job. Dickson County deputies work with state and local agencies to serve warrants throughout the area.
Four Judicial Commissioners work 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Dickson County. They can issue warrants when a judge is not on the bench. This means bench warrants and arrest warrants can be processed at any hour. The sheriff's office also handles jail operations, court security, and civil process for Dickson County.
You can reach the Dickson County government online for links to court and sheriff resources.
Tennessee Bench Warrant Laws
Tennessee has clear laws about bench warrants and failure to appear. Under TCA 39-16-609, failing to show up for court after being released on bail or recognizance is a crime. A Class A misdemeanor can mean up to 11 months and 29 days in jail plus a $2,500 fine. If the person willfully fails to appear, it can be a Class E felony with one to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine.
The Tennessee Supreme Court sets the rules for how warrants work. Rule 4 governs the issuance and execution of warrants. A valid warrant must have the person's name, the alleged offense, and probable cause. Bench warrants must be signed by the issuing judge. Electronic signatures are allowed under TCA 16-1-115. These rules apply to all bench warrants in Dickson County.
Note: Felony bench warrants in Dickson County do not expire until the court recalls them or they are served.
Resolving Dickson County Bench Warrants
Dealing with a bench warrant quickly is the smart move. You can contact a lawyer who practices in Dickson County. An attorney can file a motion to recall the bench warrant and get a new court date. This keeps you from being arrested on the street. If you prefer, you can turn yourself in at the Dickson County jail. You will be booked, and a bond will be set based on the charges.
The Dickson County Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors. It is at the same address as the General Sessions Court. The phone number is (615) 789-0250. Juvenile bench warrant records are restricted under Tennessee law and are not part of the public record.
The Tennessee Public Court Records Portal may have some Dickson County case information online. You can also check the Tennessee Sheriff's Association directory for contact details for all 95 county sheriff offices.
Cities in Dickson County
Dickson County includes the cities of Dickson, Charlotte, Burns, White Bluff, and Vanleer. All bench warrant matters for Dickson County residents are handled through the county courts in Charlotte. No cities in Dickson County have separate city pages on this site.
Nearby Counties
If you are not sure where your bench warrant was issued, check with the court clerk. Dickson County sits near several other counties in middle Tennessee.