Search Rutherford County Bench Warrants

Rutherford County bench warrants are issued by judges in Murfreesboro when a person fails to show up for court or does not follow a judge's order. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at 940 New Salem Highway in Murfreesboro handles warrant service for the county. Unlike some Tennessee counties, Rutherford County does not currently offer a public warrant search online. You need to call the warrants division at 615-898-7877 or visit in person to check for active bench warrants. The Circuit Court and General Sessions Court in Rutherford County both issue bench warrants across a range of case types.

Rutherford County Sheriff Warrants Division

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office does not offer a public warrant search online at this time. That means you cannot look up bench warrants from home through the sheriff's website. Instead, you need to contact the warrants division directly. Call 615-898-7877 for warrant questions. You can also call the main information line at 615-898-7720. Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh leads the department.

The warrants division keeps all arrest warrants obtained by officers in Rutherford County. For general warrant information, you can also reach out at 615-904-3030. The records division processes police and inmate records requests. These requests must be submitted in person at the records division.

If you go in person to check for a bench warrant, bring your full legal name, date of birth, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security number. Staff will run a search for you. Be aware that if you have an active warrant, you may be subject to arrest when you show up at the sheriff's office. It is wise to talk to a lawyer first if you think you might have an outstanding bench warrant in Rutherford County.

Bench Warrants in Rutherford County Courts

Rutherford County has a Circuit Court, a Criminal Court, and a General Sessions Court. The Circuit Criminal Court handles all felony and misdemeanor cases presented to the Grand Jury. General Sessions takes on lesser charges, traffic tickets, and small civil matters. All of these courts can issue bench warrants when someone misses a hearing or violates a court order.

The Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk serves as keeper of all Circuit Criminal Court records. The office sits at 116 W. Lytle Street, Room 102, in Murfreesboro. You can call 615-898-7831 for the criminal division. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk has forms like the Motion to Waive Appearance at Arraignment, Notice of Appeal, and Defendant's Petition.

The Criminal Court Clerk is also located in the Judicial Center at 116 W. Lytle Street, Room 101. Call 615-898-7800 for questions about criminal records. Under TCA 39-16-609, failing to appear after release on bail is a Class A misdemeanor. Willful failure to appear can be a Class E felony with one to six years in prison.

Note: Some Rutherford County court records may not be available online; visit the clerk's office for the most complete records.

How to Check Rutherford County Warrants

Since Rutherford County does not have an online warrant search, you have a few other options. The most direct way is to call the warrants division at 615-898-7877. You can ask about a specific person by name. The staff can tell you if there is an active bench warrant.

You can also visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office to search court records in person. The clerk can look up cases by name or case number. For a broader search, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation offers statewide criminal history checks through TORIS. The fee is $29 per request. Results include arrests, convictions, and warrant data from across Tennessee. The TBI processes requests online and by mail from their Nashville office at 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard.

Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, TCA 10-7-503, court records are open to Tennessee residents unless sealed. Copy fees run about $0.15 per page. You need to bring a valid ID and proof of Tennessee residency to get copies.

Rutherford County Court Services

Rutherford County has a full range of court services. The county government website at rutherfordcountytn.gov has links to all court divisions. These include Chancery Court, Circuit Court for both civil and criminal matters, General Sessions Court, Domestic Violence Court, and Juvenile Court. Public records requests can be made in person, by mail, or by fax at 615-217-6597.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts posts forms and rules that apply to Rutherford County bench warrant cases. The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference oversees prosecutors in the 16th Judicial District that serves Rutherford County. For historical court records, the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville holds microfilm records for the county.

Rutherford County covers 624 square miles and has a population of about 332,285. The county seat is Murfreesboro. Under TCA 40-6-206, misdemeanor warrants expire after five years if not served. Felony bench warrants do not expire. They stay active until the person is arrested or the judge recalls the warrant.

Cities in Rutherford County

Rutherford County includes Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Eagleville, and Walterhill. All bench warrants for Rutherford County residents are handled through the county courts and sheriff's office in Murfreesboro.

Murfreesboro is the county seat and largest city in Rutherford County. Bench warrants issued by county courts cover the entire county including Smyrna and La Vergne.

Nearby Counties

Rutherford County borders several other Tennessee counties. If you are not sure where a bench warrant was issued, check with the court in the county where the case was filed.

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