Hamilton County
Hamilton County is located in the southern part of East Tennessee and borders the State of Georgia. It was named after Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of Treasury. It was formed on October 25, 1819, and its county seat is in Chattanooga. Hamilton County has 366,207 residents and covers a total area of 576 square miles.
The trial court system in Hamilton County consists of General Sessions Courts, Chancery Court, Circuit Court, Juvenile Courts, and the Municipal Courts. The General Sessions Courts in Chattanooga have limited jurisdiction and do not hold jury trials. They prosecute both civil and criminal cases such as traffic violations and misdemeanors. The Chancery Court in Chattanooga is a court of equity handling domestic relations, guardianship and conservatorship, worker's compensation, and dissolution of partnership and corporation (business) cases.
The county's Circuit Court conducts jury trials which involve civil and criminal cases. It handles adoption, probate, small claims, divorce, and child custody cases. In Hamilton County, criminal courts are in charge of misdemeanor and major felony cases. Hamilton County Juvenile Courts hear petitions pertaining to child custody, co-parenting, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile dependency issues. They also have child support programs, youth courts, recovery courts, and mediation referral programs.
Municipal Courts, also known as city courts, exercise judicial authority over violations of city ordinances such as speeding and nuisances. Municipal Judges usually impose fines between $50 and $500 or jail time of up to one year for offenses adjudicated in courts.
Court records including warrants, dockets, petitions, and summons generated in court are kept by the Clerk of various courts in Hamilton County. The Office of the Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court keeps court records in the Chancery Court and also serves as a Master/Chancellor in Chancery. The Circuit Court Clerk is the official record keeper for the Circuit Court and General Sessions Court (Civil Division).
The public are allowed to view the non-confidential civil and criminal court records at the Offices of Clerks of the individual courts. You can also find Hamilton County Circuit Court records and General Court Session court records (civil) on the Tennessee Case Finder website. Criminal court records are available on the Criminal Court portal and the records of the Criminal Division of General Sessions Court can be accessed on the General Sessions Court portal.
