Rhea County Bench Warrants
Bench warrants in Rhea County are handled by the Sheriff's Office in Dayton and the Rhea County Criminal Court. The warrants division has three full-time officers assigned to serve and track bench warrants across the county. All warrants are entered into the National Crime Information Center database, which means they are visible to law enforcement across the country. You can search for active bench warrants by contacting the Rhea County Sheriff at (423) 775-7837 or by checking online court records. This page explains the process for finding and resolving bench warrants in Rhea County.
Rhea County Quick Facts
Rhea County Sheriff Bench Warrant Division
The Rhea County Sheriff's Office is at 444 2nd Ave, Dayton, TN 37321. The warrants division has three full-time officers who focus on serving bench warrants and other outstanding warrants. All warrants are generated by the Rhea County Criminal Court. Once issued, they are entered into the NCIC database so any law enforcement officer in the country can see them.
Misdemeanor bench warrants can only lead to arrest within Tennessee. Felony bench warrants have broader reach. They can be regional, nationwide, or even international in scope depending on the case. The District Attorney General decides the extradition level for each warrant. Fugitive From Justice warrants are issued when someone with an out-of-state warrant is found in Rhea County.
The Rhea County Government website provides county office links and public records access information.
The county site lists department contacts and links to court resources for Rhea County residents.
Bench Warrant Process in Rhea County
Warrants in Rhea County require sufficient evidence to be presented to the court. Officers must swear to warrants with the Criminal Court. Regular citizens can also swear to warrants if they are the victim of a crime and have enough evidence. The Rhea County Process Service page has more details on how warrants and other legal papers are handled.
The Sheriff's Office serves about 7,000 civil process papers and subpoenas each year. Jury subpoenas are issued by the Circuit Court. If you have a question about a jury summons, call 775-7818. Civil process service costs $52.00 in Rhea County. Bench warrants are different from civil process, but the same officers handle both types of service.
The Rhea County process service page explains warrant types and service procedures.
This page breaks down the types of warrants, subpoenas, and civil process that the Sheriff's Office handles in Rhea County.
Under TCA 39-16-609, failure to appear is a Class A misdemeanor and can be raised to a Class E felony. Penalties for a Class A misdemeanor include up to 11 months 29 days in jail and $2,500 in fines.
Searching Rhea County Bench Warrants Online
Active bench warrants may be searchable on the Rhea County Sheriff's Office website. Mugshots can be released through public records requests. The Tennessee Public Court Records portal also covers Rhea County Circuit and General Sessions Courts. You can search cases for free with no login.
The Tennessee State Library and Archives keeps historical Rhea County records including wills, inventories, and estate settlements from 1810 to 1881. Historical arrest warrants are also on file, including records from the 1860s. For current bench warrants, stick with the Sheriff's Office or the court records portal.
Note: Felony bench warrants in Rhea County are entered into NCIC and do not expire until served or recalled by a judge.
Clearing a Bench Warrant in Rhea County
Talk to a lawyer in the 12th Judicial District if you have a bench warrant in Rhea County. The district includes Bledsoe, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Rhea, and Sequatchie counties. An attorney can work with the court to get your case rescheduled. You may also call the court clerk to ask about getting back on the docket.
Misdemeanor bench warrants expire after five years under TCA 40-6-206. Felony warrants stay active. If you turn yourself in, bring your ID and be ready to wait until a judge can see you. The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference has contact info for the DA in this district. The Tennessee Courts website has self-help forms for people without a lawyer.
Nearby Counties
Rhea County is part of the 12th Judicial District. Make sure you address your bench warrant in the county that issued it.