Putnam County Bench Warrant Lookup
Putnam County bench warrants are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Cookeville. Sheriff Eddie Farris leads a department of 123 deputies and 17 civilian staff. The office runs an iSOMS portal for searching jail records and warrant data. Bench warrants in Putnam County come from the Circuit Court and General Sessions Court when someone misses a court date or breaks a court order. With a population of about 80,000, Putnam County is one of the larger counties in the Upper Cumberland region. This guide covers all the ways you can search for and resolve bench warrants in Putnam County.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Sheriff Bench Warrant Records
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is at 421 E Spring Street, Cookeville, TN 38501. Call (931) 528-8484 for bench warrant inquiries. The department handles law enforcement, jail operations, warrant service, and court security across all 403 square miles of the county.
The Sheriff's Office runs an iSOMS portal for inmate search and jail records. You can search by last name and first name to find inmates and their charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. The system also shows warrant information for people being held. Common charges in the Putnam County system include drug offenses, probation violations, and simple possession. The jail holds inmates at minimum to maximum security levels.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office website shows department information and links to the inmate search portal.
The site provides direct links to the jail search, most wanted list, and other public safety information for Putnam County.
Bench Warrants in Putnam County Courts
Putnam County has Circuit Court and General Sessions Court. Both issue bench warrants. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases and major civil matters. General Sessions takes misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims. When you miss a hearing in either court, the judge will likely issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
Under TCA 39-16-609, failure to appear is a separate crime. It is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months 29 days in jail and $2,500 in fines. If the judge finds willful intent to evade court, the charge may be raised to a Class E felony. That carries one to six years and up to $3,000 in fines. Bond forfeiture also happens when you fail to appear in Putnam County.
The county government office is at 300 E. Spring Street, Room 8, Cookeville, TN 38501. Public records requests go through the public records coordinator. You must be a Tennessee resident to request records. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
Note: The Putnam County Sheriff's Office maintains a most wanted list on their website for fugitives with active bench warrants and other outstanding warrants.
Searching Putnam County Bench Warrants Online
The Tennessee Public Court Records portal covers Putnam County Circuit and General Sessions Courts. You can search case records for free. No login is needed. The site shows case status, hearing dates, and payment options for some court fees.
The Cookeville Police Department also plays a role in bench warrant arrests in the city. Their office is at 45 E. Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38501. Record requests can be submitted in writing by visiting in person, by mail, or by emailing csells@cookeville-tn.gov. All arrests by Cookeville police are sent to the Putnam County Jail, so inmate records are found through the county system.
The City of Cookeville government website provides local information and links to city services.
Cookeville is the largest city in Putnam County and home to the main courthouse and jail facilities.
Resolving Putnam County Bench Warrants
Contact a lawyer in the 13th Judicial District if you have a bench warrant in Putnam County. An attorney can often get the warrant recalled and a new court date set. You can also call the Circuit Court Clerk to ask about your case status and next steps.
The Tennessee State Library and Archives has Putnam County records dating back to 1842. Historical court records are on microfilm. For current bench warrants, stick with the Sheriff's Office or the online court portal. Misdemeanor bench warrants expire after five years under TCA 40-6-206. Felony warrants do not expire. The Tennessee Courts website has forms and self-help guides for people who need to handle their case without a lawyer.
Cities in Putnam County
Putnam County includes Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, and Algood. All bench warrants for the county are handled by the courts in Cookeville.
Nearby Counties
Check which county issued your bench warrant before making a visit. You must resolve it in the right county.