Find Bench Warrants in Polk County
Polk County bench warrants are issued by courts in Benton, the county seat. The Sheriff's Office at 6239 Highway 411 handles bench warrant service across the county. Warrant records are public under the Tennessee Public Records Act. You can search by name, date, or other details through the Sheriff's Office. Polk County also has a jail roster available online that shows current inmates and their charges. This page explains how to look up bench warrants, what happens after one is issued, and how to resolve an outstanding bench warrant in Polk County.
Polk County Quick Facts
Polk County Sheriff Bench Warrant Records
Sheriff Steve Ross oversees the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The office is the main agency for bench warrant service. Call (423) 338-8215 to ask about warrant status. In-person visits are welcome at 6239 Highway 411, Benton, TN 37307. The fax number is 423-338-4541.
The Polk County Detention Center is a medium security facility. It has room for 107 male and 47 female inmates. There are 5 male housing units and 4 female units. Twenty-five corrections officers staff the facility. When someone is picked up on a bench warrant, they are booked here. The Polk County Jail Roster updates every 24 hours and shows who is being held. The mailing address for the jail is PO Box 1189, Benton, TN 37307.
The Polk County jail roster page shows current inmates, charges, and booking details for the detention center.
Use the roster to check if someone has been booked on a bench warrant in Polk County.
Bench Warrants in Polk County Courts
The Circuit Court handles felony cases in Polk County. General Sessions Court deals with misdemeanors. Both courts issue bench warrants when someone does not show up for a hearing. The county covers 442 square miles and includes the cities of Benton, Ducktown, and Copperhill.
Under TCA 39-16-609, failure to appear after being released on bail is a crime. It is a Class A misdemeanor that can carry up to 11 months and 29 days in jail. If the charge is serious, it can be a Class E felony with one to six years in prison. The bench warrant itself is a court order for the person's arrest, and it is a separate matter from whatever case they missed court for.
Public records requests go through the County Executive's office. County Executive Robby Hatcher oversees public records in Polk County. You need to be a Tennessee resident to get records under TCA 10-7-504.
Searching Polk County Bench Warrants Online
The Tennessee Public Court Records portal covers Polk County Circuit and General Sessions Courts. You can search for free by party name or case number. The portal does not need a login. Records for cases that have been entered digitally will show case status and hearing dates.
The Tennessee State Library and Archives stores historical Polk County court records on microfilm. These include Circuit Court Minutes for civil and criminal cases, County Clerk records, and older warrant and arrest data. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts also runs a statewide court records system that includes some Polk County data.
Note: The 2018 violent crime rate in Polk County was 35 per the Uniform Crime Report, which is low compared to larger Tennessee counties.
Resolving Bench Warrants in Polk County
If you have a bench warrant from Polk County, contact a lawyer in the 10th Judicial District. An attorney can talk to the court about getting a new date set for your case. You may also call the court clerk directly to ask about your options.
Turning yourself in at the Sheriff's Office is possible. You will be booked at the detention center and held until a judge can review your case. Misdemeanor bench warrants expire after five years under TCA 40-6-206, but felony bench warrants stay active until served or recalled. The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference website lists contact information for the district attorney in Polk County's judicial district.
Nearby Counties
Bench warrants must be addressed in the county where they were issued. Check your records before going to the wrong courthouse.