How to Search for Rutherford County Warrants
There is no official, publicly accessible active-warrant search portal for Rutherford County. The Sheriff's Office navigation includes Civil Warrants and Criminal Warrants pages, but no public name-search field was found in the official site. Third-party aggregator sites are not reliable sources for current warrant status and should not be used to confirm or deny an active warrant.
The correct path is a direct call. For criminal warrant checks, civil warrant status, or any warrant issued through the Sheriff's Office, call the Warrants and Records Division at (615) 898-7777. Staff can confirm whether a warrant is active, recalled, or served. For bench warrants and capias orders tied to a specific court case, contact the clerk of the court that issued it. The Circuit Court Clerk handles Circuit Court cases at (615) 898-7820. General Sessions Criminal cases go to (615) 898-7831.
If you believe you may have an active warrant, do not rely on informal sources. Call the official number and, if the matter is criminal, speak with an attorney before you take any in-person steps. Some warrants can be resolved through an attorney without an immediate arrest. Others require a booking before the court will act on a bond. Know which kind you are dealing with before you show up anywhere.
940 New Salem Highway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone: (615) 898-7777
Email: recordsrequest@rcsotn.org
116 W. Lytle St., Room 102
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Circuit Criminal: (615) 898-7812
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Sheriff's Warrants and Records Division
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Warrants and Records Division is the central unit for warrant processing, records requests, and incident report management. The division handles both criminal and civil warrants through separate sub-units and tracks a high volume of records. The official Warrants and Records Division page lists the contact details and services for both the public and agencies.
On the incident report side, the division receives and enters roughly 1,500 to 2,000 reports each month. Those reports are used for statistics and investigative work, and they are submitted to both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. That volume gives a sense of the workload the division manages alongside warrant processing.
For records requests, emailed requests can go to recordsrequest@rcsotn.org. The division also maintains a Records Request Form, last updated October 8, 2025, which is available through the official site. When the division conducts a local records check, it looks at booking records, criminal warrants, citations, ex parte orders, and orders of protection, and it can provide court dispositions for all records found within the county. This local check is used in processes such as gun permit applications and is not the same as a state or national background check.
The Sheriff's Warrants and Records Division page shows both the Civil and Criminal Warrants sub-units. The division's local check covers booking records, citations, ex partes, and active criminal warrants, along with court dispositions for county records.
Types of Warrants in Rutherford County
Not every warrant works the same way. Rutherford County courts and the Sheriff's Office deal with several distinct types, and mixing them up can lead to bad decisions. A civil warrant does not carry arrest risk the way a criminal arrest warrant does. A search warrant is usually sealed until executed. Know the type before you act.
- Arrest Warrant
- A probable-cause order issued by a judge or judicial commissioner directing law enforcement to take a named person into custody. These are criminal instruments and carry an immediate arrest risk when active.
- Bench Warrant / Capias
- Issued by a judge when a defendant misses court, violates a condition of release, violates probation, or fails to comply with a court order. A capias is the court's written writ directing law enforcement to bring the person before the court. Bench warrants and capiases are also called failure-to-appear warrants.
- Search Warrant
- Authorizes law enforcement to search a specific location for specific items. Search warrants are usually sealed before and during execution and are not part of public active-warrant checks. They may appear in court records after a case is filed.
- Civil Warrant
- A General Sessions civil initiating document used to begin certain civil claims such as money disputes. A civil warrant is a court process document, not an arrest order. It does not create criminal arrest risk the way a criminal arrest warrant does.
- Capias Pro Fine
- Used in some Tennessee jurisdictions for failure to pay a court-ordered fine or comply with a financial judgment. Confirm with the issuing court whether this type is used in a specific Rutherford County case.
- Ex Parte / Order of Protection
- An emergency civil order protecting a petitioner from a named respondent. Violation of an order of protection can generate a separate criminal charge. The Sheriff's Warrants Division checks these as part of its local records review.
For more on criminal case records that often run alongside warrants, see the Rutherford County arrest records page.
What a Rutherford County Warrant Record Shows
When you obtain warrant information from the Sheriff's Office or the court clerk, the record typically includes a consistent set of fields. The exact layout varies depending on whether the warrant came from a court or from the Sheriff directly, but the core data is predictable. Reviewing these fields helps you understand what you are looking at and whether the warrant is still active.
| Field | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Person Name | The full name of the person the warrant is issued for. |
| Warrant Type | Arrest warrant, bench warrant, capias, search warrant, civil warrant, ex parte, order of protection, or child-support warrant. |
| Case Number / Warrant Number | The unique identifier linking the warrant to the court file. |
| Issuing Court / Judge / Judicial Commissioner | The court or officer that signed and issued the warrant. |
| Issue Date | The date the warrant was signed and became active. |
| Charge / Statute or Civil Cause | The offense or legal basis that triggered the warrant. |
| Bond Amount / Type | The bond set, whether cash, surety, personal recognizance, or hold/no-bond status. |
| Arresting / Serving Agency | The law enforcement unit assigned to serve or execute the warrant. |
| Service Status | Whether the warrant is active, served, recalled, quashed, expired, or cleared. |
| Court Date | The hearing date tied to the warrant, if one is set. |
| Disposition / Clearance Date | When and how the warrant was resolved or withdrawn. |
The service status field is the most important one to check. An active warrant is still outstanding. A recalled or quashed warrant has been withdrawn. Confirm status directly with the Sheriff's Office or the clerk, not from a document that may be days or weeks old.
Civil Warrants vs Criminal Warrants
People often confuse civil and criminal warrants because both carry the word "warrant." They work very differently in Rutherford County courts. The table below compares the key points so you can tell them apart at a glance.
| Feature | Civil Warrant | Criminal Warrant |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Begins a civil claim (money dispute, landlord-tenant, small claim) | Authorizes arrest or commands court appearance for a criminal charge |
| Arrest Risk | None - civil process only | Yes - law enforcement can arrest on sight |
| Issuing Court | General Sessions Civil Court | Circuit Criminal, General Sessions Criminal, or judicial commissioner |
| Service Method | Sheriff serves as court process on the defendant | Law enforcement arrests or summons the person named |
| What Happens if Ignored | Default judgment may be entered against you | Bench warrant or additional charges may follow |
| Where to Check Status | General Sessions Civil Clerk or Sheriff's Civil Warrants unit | Sheriff's Criminal Warrants unit at (615) 898-7777 |
Both types of warrants deserve prompt attention. A civil warrant left unanswered can turn into a judgment, then a garnishment. A criminal warrant left unresolved can lead to arrest at any time - at a traffic stop, at work, or at the courthouse. Neither one goes away on its own.
How to Resolve an Outstanding Warrant
Resolving a warrant takes a clear sequence of steps. Skipping ahead, or showing up somewhere without knowing what the warrant requires, can make things worse. Follow the steps below in order.
Warning: Appearing at the Rutherford County courthouse or any court facility with an active criminal warrant can result in immediate arrest and booking. Do not walk into the courthouse without first confirming the warrant status and speaking with an attorney about the safest way to address it.
- Confirm the warrant through official channels. Call the Sheriff's Office Warrants and Records Division at (615) 898-7777, or contact the court clerk for the case, an attorney, or a licensed bondsman. Get the warrant type, issuing court, and current status before you do anything else.
- Find out which court issued it and what the bond is. Ask whether the warrant is active, served, recalled, or a capias for failure to appear. Get the bond amount and type if one is set. A recalled warrant means it has already been withdrawn - confirm that in writing.
- Consult an attorney if the warrant is criminal. If you cannot afford a private attorney, ask the court at arraignment about Public Defender eligibility. An attorney can sometimes arrange a surrender time, negotiate bond conditions, or file a motion to recall the warrant before you appear.
- Arrange bond if required. Confirm the accepted payment forms, bonding company rules, and the jail lobby hours at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center before you go. The detention center is at 940 New Salem Highway, Murfreesboro.
- Appear as directed or surrender through your attorney. Follow whatever process the court or attorney arranges. Do not appear at the courthouse without a clear plan and confirmation of the warrant's current status.
- Confirm recall and clearance after resolution. After the warrant is resolved, make sure the recall reaches the Sheriff's Office, the court clerk, and any other systems such as driver-license records or probation files. Do not assume clearance is automatic - follow up.
For Rutherford County inmate records and detention center information, including how to confirm whether someone has been booked, see the inmate records page.
Local Records Checks and Background Checks
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Warrants and Records Division does not provide employment background checks. That is not a service the division offers to the public or to employers. The division's local records check is a specific internal process used in limited contexts such as gun permit applications, and it is not a general-purpose criminal history report.
If you are a Tennessee resident who has lived only in Tennessee and you need a background check, the Sheriff's page directs you to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The TBI handles criminal history checks for Tennessee residents through its Criminal History Records Checks program. That check covers statewide conviction records held by TBI.
What the division does check locally includes booking records, criminal warrants, citations, ex parte orders, and orders of protection, along with court dispositions for records found within the county. That local check tells you what the Sheriff's Office and county courts have on file, but it does not reach outside Rutherford County or pull a full statewide or federal history. For a broader picture, you need the TBI state check or, for federal records, the FBI's system through an authorized channel.
Incident reports are a separate category. The division receives about 1,500 to 2,000 incident reports each month. These reports are used for statistical and investigative purposes and are submitted to the TBI and FBI. To request a specific incident report, use the Records Request Form through the division's official page or email recordsrequest@rcsotn.org.
Driver License and Traffic Warrant Issues
Traffic warrants in Rutherford County most often come from a failure to appear on a traffic citation. When a driver misses a court date, the court can issue a bench warrant or capias. That warrant stays active until the driver appears in court or resolves it through an attorney. In some cases, the Tennessee Department of Safety may also suspend the driver's license for the failure to appear.
Traffic crash reports work on a separate track. Non-injury and minor-injury crashes outside city limits are investigated by Sheriff's deputies. Crashes involving injuries or fatalities fall to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. If you were in a crash, you may be required to file an Owner/Driver Report with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 20 days. Failure to file can result in license suspension.
For case records tied to a traffic charge, including court dates, fines, and disposition, see the Rutherford County traffic court records page. That page covers which court handles traffic matters, how to look up a citation, and how fines and costs are paid. If a bench warrant was issued after a missed traffic court date, start with the Sheriff's Warrants Division at (615) 898-7777 to confirm the warrant status before you return to court.
Attorney and Public Defender Help
Dealing with an active criminal warrant without legal help is a serious risk. An attorney can often contact the court directly, arrange a surrender time, or file a motion to recall a capias before you appear in person. That can mean the difference between booking and a controlled court appearance. If cost is the issue, public defender eligibility may apply.
The 16th Judicial District Public Defender is Gerald L. Melton. His office serves both Rutherford and Cannon counties and is located at the Elrod Building, 118 North Church Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. The phone number is (615) 898-8020. Public defenders begin working a case after arraignment and assignment by the court. At arraignment, a defendant who cannot afford private counsel must tell the judge they want public defender representation. The court then makes the eligibility determination.
If you want to find a private attorney, the Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Association maintains an attorney directory at rccba.com. The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands at laet.org provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents, though their services cover civil matters rather than criminal defense. For criminal charges and related records, also see the Rutherford County arrest records page for how charging documents and case files work from the first appearance through disposition. The court records page explains how to pull full case files once a case is open in the system.