Dickson County, Tennessee State Court Records
Dickson County court records are official records created and maintained by the trial courts. These records include case, administrative, or judicial records pursuant to Rule 34 of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules.
Dickson County case records are documents and other materials produced and maintained by the county's trial courts, as part of court files relating to matters adjudicated in the county. Administrative records do not pertain to a case but are created, received, or maintained in connection with court administration. In contrast, a judicial record is a court-maintained record that is neither a case record nor an administrative record.
Like most government records, including criminal and arrest records, court records are subject to the Tennessee Public Records Law.
Are Dickson County Court Records Public?
Yes. Members of the public have a statutory right to examine and acquire records maintained by public agencies. This right extends to records produced by the judiciary. Consequently, any person may access Dickson County court records. These provisions are codified in the Tennessee Public Records Law and reiterated in Rule 34 of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules.
However, records exempt from public inspection under § 10-7-503(a)(2)(A) of the Tennessee Code Annotated and the Public Records Act are not available to the public. These include motions, briefs, petitions, or any similar document provided to a judge for personal use, personally identifying information protected under T.C.A § 4-6-140(c), internal case management information, and any written or electronic document whose disclosure would interfere with judicial functions.
What Information is Available in Dickson County Court Records?
A Dickson County Court record is a compilation of information generated and maintained in the course of a litigation. It may contain:
- General information, such as the parties' names, date of filing, case judge, status, case number, balance due, last payment, and next hearing date
- Document information, including the date of service, party role, document type, number, status, and status date
- Hearing details, such as the purpose of the hearing, hearing type, date and time, and hearing result
- Information about additional parties
A Dickson court record also contains case-specific information, including inventories, decrees, dispositions, judgments, and court orders. While much of this information is available for public inspection, Rule 34-2c of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules may restrict access to certain records or documents.
Dickson County Court Records Search
Consistent with Rule 34 of the Tennessee Supreme Court Rules, courts in Dickson County make court records available through official channels. Inquirers may review the following available channels and choose the one that best meets their needs.
Online Access
|
Resource |
Access Type |
Record Available |
Search Option |
Applicable Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Case management system |
Trial court records |
|
Access is free; however, one may choose to subscribe for extended access | |
|
Administrative Office of the Court, Tennessee |
Appellate cases and cases handled by the Supreme Court |
|
Free |
In-Person Access
|
Resource |
Access Type |
Record Available |
Search Option |
Applicable Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Office of the Clerk or at the Courthouse |
Record inspection |
Dockets, case details, and case documents |
|
Free |
Mail Access
|
Resource |
Access Type |
Record Available |
Search Option |
Applicable Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Office of the Clerk |
Copy request |
Dockets, case details, and case documents |
|
Nominal fees apply |
Although individuals cannot obtain court records by phone, they may contact the appropriate court by phone to inquire about available records and access procedures.
Fees for Court Records in Dickson County
Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21 authorizes public bodies to charge fees for services and records they maintain. Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401 governs fees for trial court records, while Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-501 governs fees for records maintained by the Supreme Court and appellate courts.
Fees for retrieving court records in Dickson County are subject to Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401. Per this provision, requesters pay 5 cents per page for copies of records, except for copies of case files provided to the parties after the conclusion of a case. Requesters also pay $5 for certification and a seal.
Access to digital court records through the Tennessee Public Court Record System is free; however, users are also offered a subscription. In-person record searches are free.
Dickson County Courthouse Locations
The local courts in Dickson County include the Circuit, Chancery, General Sessions, Juvenile, Probate, and Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court has primary jurisdiction over major civil and criminal cases, whereas the Municipal Courts handle matters arising within their respective city limits. The remaining courts hear specific categories of cases as prescribed by law.
The Circuit, Chancery, General Session, Juvenile, and Probate Courts operate from the Dickson County Justice Center:
500 Spring Street
Charlotte, TN 37036
Phone: (615) 789-5414
Phone (Juvenile): (615) 789-0250
Fax: (615) 789-3456
Fax (Juvenile): (615) 789-0295
Dickson County's three Municipal Courts are located at the following addresses:
Municipal Courts
Burns City Court
803 Herschel Street,
Burns, TN 37029
Phone: (615) 446-2851
Fax: (615) 441-3155
City of Dickson
600 East Walnut Street
Dickson, TN 37055
Phone: (615) 441-9508
Town Hall
52 Graham Street
White Bluff, TN 37187
Phone: (615) 797-3131
Criminal Records Access in Dickson County
The type of criminal information a requester needs determines the agency they should contact for a criminal record search. The requested record may be a criminal case record or a statewide criminal history record.
The Dickson County criminal courts maintain Dickson County criminal case records. Depending on the case, the record may be held by the Circuit Court or the General Sessions Court for misdemeanor matters. Inquirers may access Dickson County criminal case records through the Tennessee Public Court Records System or request them directly from the court that handled the case. Courts generally accept requests in person or by mail.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains criminal history records for the full state, including Dickson County, and processes background check requests. The agency provides different levels of access and applies varying fees based on the requester's eligibility and purpose. Public access requests generally require only the subject's name, while other request types may require the subject's fingerprints. Requesters can check out the TBI's website for information on available background checks, eligibility requirements, fees, and applicable procedures.
Dickson County Probate Records
When a Dickson County resident who owned assets, including land and vehicles, dies without a will, probate proceedings may be necessary. Probate hearings are held in the Chancery Court to validate a will, administer an estate, appoint an executor, and resolve disputes. Dickson County probate records are public records; however, not all case records or documents are available for public inspection because certain information is confidential.
The Clerk and Master's office maintains records for matters heard in the Chancery Court, including wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and estate administration. To obtain probate records, inquirers may search the TnCIS database, visit the Chancery Court or the Clerk and Master's office, or submit a request by mail.
Dickson County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Dickson County are handled by the Chancery Court and, sometimes, the Circuit Court. The Juvenile Court handles family-related cases involving minors. Dickson County family laws cover domestic matters, including divorce, domestic violence, name changes, child custody and visitation, and paternity, among others. Interested persons may access these records as follows:
- Online through TnCIS
- By visiting the court where the case was filed
- By mailing a written request to the applicable clerk's office
While family law records are available to interested persons, statutory limitations apply. Individuals may only request and obtain certified copies of records in person.
Federal Court Records in Dickson County
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee oversees federal court cases in Dickson County. Documents filed and details gathered during federal litigation constitute federal court records. These records are mostly open to the public, often for free or for a fee.
|
Channels |
Methods for Accessing Federal Court Records |
|---|---|
|
Online |
Via thePublic Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system |
|
In person |
Visit the federal courthouse or clerk's office |
|
Mail request |
Send a written request to the federal clerk's office |
