Obion County Public Records / Obion County Arrest Records

Obion County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Obion County in 2026

ObionRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Obion County, Tennessee. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, mugshots, and related court case data through this resource. Available record categories include arrest logs, jail rosters, criminal court filings, bond information, and felony offender records. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the originating agency and the disposition of the case.

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Obion County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and jail roster information for individuals taken into custody at the county detention facility. Members of the public may access current inmate information, including charges, booking dates, and custody status. The roster is updated on a regular basis as new bookings and releases occur.

Available information: full name, booking date, charges, bond amount, custody status
Search by name or booking number
Updated as bookings and releases are processed

2. Local Police Departments

The Union City Police Department and other municipal law enforcement agencies within Obion County maintain arrest logs and may publish press releases containing arrest information. Members of the public may contact individual departments to request arrest records pertaining to incidents within their respective jurisdictions.

Union City Police Department
1001 E. Main St.
Union City, TN 38261
Phone: (731) 885-1515
City of Union City

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Obion County Circuit Court maintains criminal case records linked to arrests processed through the county. Members of the public may search case records by the name of the arrested individual to locate associated court filings, charge information, and case dispositions. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts also provides access to case information through the Tennessee Court Case Search portal.

Search by defendant name or case number
Linked to arrest charges and court proceedings
Includes case status, hearing dates, and dispositions

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the Tennessee Felony Offender Information database, which provides public access to information on felony offenders who are or have been in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction. The TBI also administers the Tennessee Criminal History Records program for more comprehensive background inquiries.

Available information: offender name, offense, sentence, facility, release status
Felony offenders only through the public portal
Comprehensive criminal history requests available through TBI with applicable fees

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:
Obion County Sheriff's Office
1 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
Phone: (731) 885-5832
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Obion County Sheriff's Office

Bring valid government-issued photo identification
Provide the full name of the subject, date of arrest if known, and booking number if available
Copy fees apply per page as established by Tennessee law

Clerk of Court:
Obion County Circuit Court Clerk
2 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
Phone: (731) 885-0060
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Circuit Court – Obion County

Criminal case files available for public inspection
Copy fees apply per page
Certified copies available for an additional fee

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Obion County Sheriff's Office at 1 Bill Burnett Circle, Union City, TN 38261. Requests should include the full legal name of the subject, date of arrest if known, booking number if available, and the requestor's full name and return address. Payment for copies should be included with the request. Processing time varies based on volume and record availability.

By Phone:

Sheriff's Office: (731) 885-5832
Provide the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date
Phone inquiries yield limited information; staff may direct callers to the online system or an in-person visit

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated documentation through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for detailed records not available through standard public access channels. Records obtained through legal proceedings may include materials not otherwise available to the general public.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Union City Police, or other municipal agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Obion County

Arrest records in Obion County are public records under Tennessee law. Pursuant to the Tennessee Public Records Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by law. Arrest records fall within this framework as documents generated by government agencies in the course of official duties.

Arrest records are made available to the public for several recognized purposes:

Government transparency and accountability
Public safety awareness
Journalism and investigative reporting
Academic and policy research
Employment and housing background screening
Legal proceedings and civil litigation

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Tennessee law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Active investigation information may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
Undercover officer identities are protected
Confidential informant information is not disclosed
Victim identifying information may be withheld in certain offense categories
Participants in witness protection programs are excluded from public records

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The Tennessee Constitution, Article I, Section 19, affirms freedom of the press and the public's right to access government information. The balance between transparency and individual privacy is addressed through statutory exemptions and judicial orders. First Amendment protections support press access to arrest records, while due process considerations acknowledge that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public and Tennessee citizens
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Professional licensing agencies
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions. Employers and landlords using third-party background check services must comply with FCRA requirements, including adverse action procedures. Tennessee does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain local ordinances may apply. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest without a resulting conviction does not establish criminal liability.

What's in Obion County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race/ethnicity
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public release)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest (street address or general area)
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Union City Police Department, or other)
Arresting officer name and badge number (in some records)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges as filed at time of arrest
Tennessee statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Gang-related designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location (Obion County Jail)
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in standard public records

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
Release date and time, if released
Release conditions, if made part of the public record

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following arrest
Court jurisdiction (General Sessions or Circuit Court)
Scheduled arraignment or initial hearing date
Court location
Judge assignment, if available in the record

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report details)
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Investigative techniques or methods
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted by law)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives and investigative information not included in booking records
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after the arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions, sentences, and dispositions rather than the arrest itself
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources including court records, state repositories, and federal databases

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Obion County?

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-506, the custodian of public records may charge a fee for copies of public records. Current standard fees applicable to arrest record requests in Obion County are as follows:

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.15 per page (black and white)
Color copies	$0.50 per page
Certified copies	$1.00–$5.00 per document (varies by office)
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies; may be provided at no charge
Search/retrieval fee	May apply for extensive searches

Inspection of public records at the custodian's office is available at no charge; fees apply only to copies
Accepted payment methods at the Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court include cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance varies by office
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors upon written application; the custodian retains discretion in granting waivers
Fees for certified copies from the Clerk of Court may differ from those charged by the Sheriff's Office
TBI criminal history record requests carry a separate fee schedule established by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Members of the public may inspect arrest records in person at no cost. Booking information currently available through the Sheriff's Office online portal is accessible without charge.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Obion County

Tennessee law provides for both expungement (legal erasure of records) and sealing (restricting public access) of certain arrest records. Expungement results in the destruction or removal of the record from public access, while sealing restricts public inspection without destroying the underlying record. Law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records for official purposes.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101, arrest records may be eligible for expungement in the following circumstances:

Charges were dismissed or retired to the docket
The defendant was acquitted at trial
The prosecution declined to file charges (no-information)
The defendant successfully completed a diversion program
Certain low-level misdemeanor and felony convictions after completion of sentence and a waiting period (as expanded under Tennessee's expungement reform statutes)

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case information from the Obion County Circuit Court Clerk
Confirm eligibility based on the charge classification and case disposition
Complete the Tennessee Petition for Expungement form, available through the court clerk's office
File the petition with the Obion County Circuit Court or General Sessions Court, depending on the originating jurisdiction
Pay the applicable filing fee (currently $350.00 for eligible convictions; no fee for dismissed charges or acquittals)
Serve copies of the petition on the District Attorney General's Office and the arresting agency
Attend any scheduled hearing; the court will issue an order if the petition is granted
The court order is forwarded to the TBI and arresting agencies for record removal

Contact Information for Expungement:

Obion County Circuit Court Clerk
2 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
Phone: (731) 885-0060
Circuit Court – Obion County

District Attorney General – 27th Judicial District
P.O. Box 342
Union City, TN 38281
Phone: (731) 885-1622

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – Criminal History Records
901 R.S. Gass Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

What Happens After Arrest in Obion County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Obion County Jail located at 1 Bill Burnett Circle, Union City, TN 38261. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county. The arrested person remains in restraints during transport and may be held briefly at the scene if investigation activities require completion prior to departure.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Obion County Jail, the booking process is initiated. The process typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps include:

Recording of personal identification information
Advisement of Miranda rights if not previously administered
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted to state and federal databases
Criminal history and outstanding warrant checks conducted
Personal property inventoried and secured
Clothing exchanged for jail-issued attire
Medical and brief mental health screening completed
Housing classification assigned

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Tennessee law requires that an arrested individual be brought before a magistrate or judge without unnecessary delay, and in practice within 48 to 72 hours of arrest. The initial appearance serves the following purposes:

Formal notification of charges
Appointment of the public defender for indigent defendants
Bond and bail determination
Advisement of constitutional rights
Hearings may be conducted via video conference

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash to the jail or court. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided all court appearances are made.

Surety Bond: The defendant or family engages a licensed bail bondsman, who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, at present set at ten percent of the bond amount in Tennessee.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The defendant is released on a written promise to appear. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, nature of charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The defendant is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or active out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The defendant receives personal property, a written court date, and written conditions of release. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a capias warrant. If bond is not posted, the defendant receives a housing assignment, inmate orientation, and information regarding commissary, phone privileges, and visitation.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender's Office – 27th Judicial District
P.O. Box 342
Union City, TN 38281
Phone: (731) 885-1622

Eligibility for public defender services is based on financial need. Defendants must complete an application at the initial appearance. Private counsel may be retained at any stage and is permitted confidential consultation at the jail facility.

Charging Decision:

The District Attorney General's Office for the 27th Judicial District reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file modified charges. For felony offenses, the matter may be presented to a grand jury, which determines whether probable cause exists to issue an indictment. The Obion County Circuit Court grand jury is empowered to inquire into any criminal offense brought to its attention and to investigate abuse of office by state or local officers.

Arraignment follows the charging decision. The defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. The majority of defendants enter an initial not guilty plea, and subsequent court dates are scheduled.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery (exchange of evidence), pretrial motions (suppression, dismissal), pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution options include:

Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness unavailability, or legal defects
Diversion Programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court; successful completion results in dismissal
Plea Agreement: Defendant accepts guilty or no contest plea to negotiated charges with an agreed or recommended sentence
Trial: Jury or bench trial; verdict of guilty or not guilty; sentencing hearing follows a guilty verdict

Sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: 48–72 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
Arraignment to resolution: Months, varying widely by charge complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved in weeks to several months
Felonies: Resolved in several months to over one year
Tennessee's constitutional speedy trial requirement applies throughout

Important Contacts:

Obion County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
1 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
Phone: (731) 885-5832
Obion County Sheriff's Office

Obion County Circuit Court Clerk
2 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
Phone: (731) 885-0060
Circuit Court – Obion County

District Attorney General – 27th Judicial District
P.O. Box 342
Union City, TN 38281
Phone: (731) 885-1622

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Refrain from discussing the case with anyone other than retained or appointed counsel
Contact family or trusted individuals for assistance with bail
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply fully with all conditions of bond or release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Obion County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Tennessee is governed by state law and the policies of the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The Tennessee Public Records Commission establishes retention schedules applicable to county law enforcement and court records. Records are retained for periods that vary based on the type of record and the disposition of the associated case.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, TBI state repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the subject's permanent criminal history record

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently or for a minimum of ten years depending on the offense classification
Court records are retained permanently in electronic format
State repository retains indefinitely

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement retains booking records for a minimum of five years
Court records are retained permanently unless expunged by court order
State repository retains unless updated following expungement

Acquittals (Not Guilty Verdicts):

Local law enforcement retains for a minimum of five years
Court records are often retained permanently
Subject may petition for expungement under Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-32-101

Charges Not Filed / No-Information:

Booking records retained for a minimum of three to five years
Eligible for expungement; subject may petition for immediate removal in qualifying cases

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical booking paperwork: Retained per applicable retention schedule, minimum five years
Fingerprint cards: Retained permanently by TBI and FBI
Booking photographs: Retained for the duration of the associated record
Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records: Retained for a minimum of three years
Electronic court records: Retained permanently

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot aggregation websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same retention and expungement obligations as government agencies. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate records, but third-party websites operating outside the FCRA framework may not update records following expungement. Individuals who obtain an expungement order may need to contact such websites directly to request removal.

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office:
1 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
Phone: (731) 885-5832
Obion County Sheriff's Office

Booking records: Minimum five years; permanent for felony convictions
Arrest reports: Minimum five years
Investigative files: Varies by case outcome; permanent for homicides and serious violent offenses

Clerk of Court:
2 Bill Burnett Circle
Union City, TN 38261
Phone: (731) 885-0060

Felony case files: Permanent
Misdemeanor case files: Minimum ten years; electronic records permanent
Traffic cases: Minimum five years

State Repository (TBI):

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains the state criminal history repository, which includes arrest records from all jurisdictions in Tennessee. The Tennessee Felony Offender Information portal provides public access to felony offender data. The TBI retains criminal history records indefinitely unless updated by court order following expungement.

FBI Database:

The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain arrest and conviction records at the federal level on a permanent basis. These records are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide and are used in employment background checks for positions requiring federal clearance, firearms purchases, and other federally regulated activities.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention across all databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: Remains in databases unless expunged; not reported on standard employment background checks in most circumstances
Expungement: Local records destroyed or sealed; TBI updates state repository; FBI database may retain with a notation indicating expungement; removal from all systems may take 60 to 90 days following issuance of the court order

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks report criminal history for a period of seven years for positions with annual compensation below a threshold established by federal regulation; no time limit applies to positions above that threshold. Tennessee does not currently impose a statewide restriction on reporting convictions beyond the FCRA framework. Arrests without convictions may not be reported by FCRA-compliant consumer reporting agencies in certain circumstances. Law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records for official purposes regardless of expungement status.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Obion County Sheriff's Records Division at (731) 885-5832 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A formal public records request submitted in writing may be required. Applicable copy fees may apply to any records provided in response to such a request.