>Rhea County Warrant Search Online

Rhea County, Tennessee Warrant Records

Are Warrants Public Record in Rhea County, Tennessee?

Warrants are public record in Rhea County, Tennessee, pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act (T.C.A. § 10-7-503). This statute establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including judicial documents such as warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state law. The Tennessee Public Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to official documents and proceedings.

In Rhea County, warrant records are maintained as part of the judicial system's documentation and are available for public inspection. This accessibility allows individuals to verify the existence of warrants against themselves or others, thereby promoting awareness of legal proceedings that may affect them. The Rhea County Sheriff's Department maintains records of active warrants issued within the jurisdiction and makes non-confidential information available to the public in accordance with state law.

Members of the public should be aware that certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by court order, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations or matters of public safety. In such instances, access may be restricted until the court determines that release of the information would not compromise the integrity of legal proceedings or endanger involved parties.

What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Rhea County?

Warrant records maintained by the Rhea County judicial system typically contain the following information:

Full legal name and known aliases of the subject
Date of birth and/or age of the subject
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Last known address or location information
Date of warrant issuance
Case or docket number associated with the warrant
Nature of the alleged offense (misdemeanor or felony classification)
Statutory citation of the violated law
Name of the issuing judge or judicial officer
Bond amount, if applicable
Special conditions related to the execution of the warrant

Pursuant to Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, arrest warrants must be based on an affidavit of complaint establishing probable cause. The affidavit becomes part of the warrant record and contains the factual basis for the issuance of the warrant. These documents are maintained by the Rhea County Circuit Court Clerk's Office located at the Rhea County Courthouse.

How to Check For Warrants in Rhea County For Free

Members of the public may conduct free searches for warrant information in Rhea County through several official channels:

Visit the Rhea County Courthouse located at 1475 Market Street, Dayton, TN 37321. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains warrant records and provides public access terminals for searching court records during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Contact the Rhea County Sheriff's Department at 7800 Rhea County Highway, Dayton, TN 37321, or call (423) 775-7837 during business hours to inquire about active warrants. The Sheriff's Department maintains a database of outstanding warrants within the county.
Access the Tennessee Courts Public Case History online portal, which provides limited information about court cases, including those involving warrants.
Utilize public access computers available at the Rhea County Public Library located at 1065 Market Street, Dayton, TN 37321, which may provide access to certain public records databases.

Individuals seeking information about their own warrant status are advised that in-person inquiries may result in immediate arrest if an active warrant exists. Those with concerns about potential warrants may wish to have a legal representative conduct the search on their behalf.

Rhea County Sheriff Warrants

The Rhea County Sheriff's Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Rhea County are official documents issued by a judge or magistrate that authorize law enforcement officers to take specific actions, such as:

Arrest of individuals charged with criminal offenses
Search of specified premises, vehicles, or persons
Seizure of evidence or contraband
Detention of individuals for court appearances

The Sheriff's Department maintains a warrant division dedicated to processing and serving these legal documents. Deputies assigned to this division are specially trained in warrant service procedures and risk assessment protocols. The Rhea County Sheriff's Department processes warrants in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-6-201 through § 40-6-216, which governs the issuance and execution of warrants in the state.

Active warrants remain in effect until they are executed or recalled by the issuing court. There is no expiration date for felony warrants, while misdemeanor warrants may be subject to statutory limitations depending on the nature of the offense.

Rhea County Sheriff's Department
7800 Rhea County Highway
Dayton, TN 37321
(423) 775-7837
Official Website

How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Rhea County in 2025

As of 2025, individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Rhea County have several methods available to them:

Access the enhanced Rhea County online warrant search portal, which has been implemented as part of Tennessee's judicial modernization initiative. This system allows for secure searches using personal identifiers.
Contact the Rhea County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 1475 Market Street, Dayton, TN 37321, or call (423) 775-7805 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Submit a written request for warrant information to the Rhea County Sheriff's Department. Requests must include full legal name, date of birth, and a copy of government-issued identification.
Consult with a licensed attorney who can conduct a confidential search of court records on behalf of the client. The Rhea County Bar Association can provide referrals to local attorneys.
Utilize the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's criminal history information system, which includes warrant information for participating counties, including Rhea County.

Pursuant to the 2023 Tennessee Judicial Transparency Act, counties are required to maintain more accessible public records systems, including warrant databases. Rhea County has implemented these requirements, making warrant information more readily available while maintaining necessary security protocols.

How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Rhea County

Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Rhea County may utilize the following official methods:

Visit the Rhea County Sheriff's Department Records Division at 7800 Rhea County Highway, Dayton, TN 37321. Staff can assist with warrant searches during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM).
Access the Tennessee Court Information System which provides information about court cases, including those with outstanding warrants.
Contact the Rhea County General Sessions Court at 1475 Market Street, Dayton, TN 37321, or call (423) 775-7805 to inquire about outstanding warrants related to specific cases.
Submit a formal public records request to the Rhea County Records Custodian, specifying the information sought. Requests must comply with T.C.A. § 10-7-503 regarding public records access.
Check the Rhea County Sheriff's Department's published list of most wanted individuals, which is updated regularly and includes persons with outstanding warrants.

Law enforcement agencies in Rhea County participate in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, which tracks outstanding warrants across jurisdictions. This ensures that warrants issued in Rhea County remain active even if the subject has left the jurisdiction.