Access Franklin County Bench Warrants
Bench warrants in Franklin County are handled by the Sheriff's Office and the courts in Winchester. Sheriff Tim Fuller leads the department that serves warrants across this southern Tennessee county. Franklin County has a dedicated warrants clerk on staff, Jamie Eskew, who helps manage warrant records. If you need to check on an active bench warrant in Franklin County, you can call the sheriff at (931) 962-0123. The Circuit Court Clerk also maintains records of all bench warrants issued by the courts. Franklin County sits along the Alabama state line and has both Circuit Court and General Sessions Court facilities in Winchester.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office manages bench warrant service across the county. Sheriff Tim Fuller and Chief Deputy Brent Perry oversee the department. The office has dedicated warrant staff. Jamie Eskew serves as the warrants clerk. Erin Holmes handles the warrants clerk position as well and also manages the Sex Offender Registry. Public Information Officer Sam Davidson and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Housley round out the administrative team.
You can reach all staff at (931) 962-0123. The sheriff's office provides inmate lookup, warrant search, and victim notification services. If you have a bench warrant in Franklin County, the staff can tell you the charges, bond amount, and which court issued the warrant. They accept records requests per Tennessee law and charge fees for copies.
Below is a screenshot of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office website where you can find contact details for bench warrant inquiries.
The office website also has links to the Circuit Court Clerk and other county resources.
Franklin County Bench Warrant Administration
The Franklin County Sheriff's administration page lists the full staff who handle warrants and records. Having a dedicated warrants clerk makes Franklin County somewhat unique among smaller Tennessee counties. Jamie Eskew and Erin Holmes both work with bench warrant records and can help you find information about your case. Public records requests are accepted during business hours. You must be a Tennessee resident to request records.
Contact the administration office for detailed information about bench warrants and court records in Franklin County.
The Circuit Court Clerk at the Franklin County Courthouse in Winchester maintains all court records. This includes bench warrants, case files, and judgment records. The clerk handles civil cases over $25,000 and felony criminal cases. Court calendars are kept up to date. You can visit during business hours to review records or request copies. Fees apply for certified copies.
Bench Warrant Laws in Franklin County
Bench warrants in Franklin County follow Tennessee state law. Under TCA 39-16-609, failure to appear is a crime. A Class A misdemeanor means up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. A Class E felony carries one to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine. The charge depends on whether the original case was a misdemeanor or felony and whether the failure was willful.
Felony bench warrants never expire in Tennessee. They stay in the system until the sheriff serves them or the court recalls them. Misdemeanor warrants may expire after five years per TCA 40-6-206. If you have a bench warrant in Franklin County, it will come up during any law enforcement contact. Traffic stops, license checks, and even visits to other courts can trigger an arrest.
Note: Bond forfeiture can also happen when someone fails to appear in Franklin County court.
Statewide Warrant Resources
The Tennessee Public Court Records Portal provides free online searches for court records in many Tennessee counties. You can check the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts for case information. The Tennessee Sheriff's Association has contact details for all 95 county sheriffs. The Tennessee State Library and Archives holds historical court records from Franklin County on microfilm.
The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference works with local prosecutors across the state. If you need help resolving a bench warrant in Franklin County, a lawyer can file a motion to recall the warrant. The court may set a new date. Diversion programs may be available for some cases.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County includes Winchester, Cowan, Decherd, Estill Springs, Huntland, and Tullahoma (partly). All bench warrant cases for county residents are handled through the courts in Winchester. None of these cities have separate city pages on this site.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County sits on Tennessee's southern border near Alabama. Check nearby counties if you are unsure where your bench warrant was issued.