Criminal records in Cheatham County, Tennessee, can be accessed through several channels. CheathamCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for the county. Additional access points include the official Tennessee court system, the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, local law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503), most criminal court records are generally available for public inspection.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cheatham County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Cheatham County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and how quickly you need results.
Online Search Options
- CheathamCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information from Cheatham County. You can search by the defendant's name or case number.
- Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) — This free state tool covers Tennessee felony offenders who are or have been in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction. Search by name to find conviction and incarceration details.
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) — For official statewide criminal history background checks, submit a request through the TBI. Fees apply.
- Cheatham County Sheriff's Office — The Sheriff's Office maintains current inmate information. You can search for inmates by name through their website.
- Ashland City Police Department Records — For incident reports, crash reports, and citations within Ashland City (the county seat), contact the Ashland City Police Department directly.
In-Person Search
- Visit the Cheatham County Circuit Court Clerk's office at the courthouse in Ashland City. Public access terminals or assistance from the clerk's staff may be available for looking up case records.
- Bring a valid photo ID. Having the defendant's full name, date of birth, or case number will speed up the search.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written public records request to the Cheatham County Circuit Court Clerk. Cheatham County maintains a formal Public Records Policy under T.C.A. § 10-7-503. Include the subject's full legal name, date of birth (if known), and a description of the records you are requesting.
- For statewide criminal history records, submit a request to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if available)
- Approximate date range of the offense or case filing
Search Cheatham County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the most direct way to pull up a specific record. Tennessee case numbers follow a structured format that encodes key information about the case.
A typical Tennessee criminal case number includes:
- County code or court designation — identifies the court (e.g., Circuit Court, General Sessions Court)
- Case type prefix — a letter or abbreviation indicating the type of case (e.g., "CR" for criminal)
- Sequential filing number — assigned in the order the case was filed
- Year — the two- or four-digit year the case was initiated
For example, a case number like 2024-CR-123 would indicate a criminal case filed in 2024 as the 123rd case of that type. The exact format may vary slightly between General Sessions Court and Circuit Court in Cheatham County.
Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on any court documents. Partial numbers may not return results. If you are unsure of the format, ask the clerk's office for guidance.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cheatham County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) section the defendant is charged under |
| Charge description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A–E), misdemeanor (Classes A–C), or violation |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced, added, or modified through plea negotiations or court proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are currently underway
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All matters, including sentencing and post-judgment motions, are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally informed of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, evidence, and potential resolutions
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — The court checks on probation compliance or other post-disposition conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted of the charge |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The charge was dropped by the court or prosecutor |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor elected not to pursue the charge |
| Diversion | The case is deferred; charges may be dismissed upon completion of conditions (judicial diversion under T.C.A. § 40-35-313) |
| Bound over | The case is transferred from General Sessions to Circuit Court for further proceedings (typically felonies) |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cheatham County
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. Here is how to obtain them in Cheatham County.
Which Office to Contact
- Circuit Court Clerk — Handles certified copies of criminal case records from Circuit Court (felony cases and appeals)
- General Sessions Court Clerk — Handles misdemeanor and preliminary hearing records
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation — Issues official statewide criminal history reports
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the clerk's office at the Cheatham County Courthouse in Ashland City. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the appropriate clerk's office. Include your full name, contact information, the subject's name, case number (if known), and a check or money order for applicable fees.
- For TBI background checks — Submit a request through the TBI's background check process, which requires fingerprinting and payment of applicable fees.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- If requesting your own record, additional identity verification may be required
Contact Information
Cheatham County Courthouse
Cheatham County Sheriff's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cheatham County
Fees for criminal record copies in Tennessee are set by state statute. The following table outlines typical costs. Confirm current fees directly with the clerk's office before submitting payment.
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.50 | T.C.A. § 10-7-503 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 and up (varies by document) | T.C.A. § 8-21-401 |
| TBI criminal history check | $29.00 | TBI fee schedule |
| FBI fingerprint-based background check (through TBI) | $36.00+ | TBI/FBI fee schedule |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mail
- TBI background checks — Typically processed within 3–5 business days for electronic submissions; longer for paper submissions
Cheatham County's Public Records Policy requires that requests be fulfilled promptly. Under Tennessee law, records custodians must respond within a reasonable time and may not unreasonably delay access to public records. If a request involves a large volume of records, the clerk's office will provide an estimated timeline and any additional costs for labor and materials.