Hawkins County
Hawkins County is located in East Tennessee. It was established in 1787 and named after Benjamin Hawkins, a U.S. Senator from North Carolina, the state of which the county was a part at that time. The county covers approximately 487.1 square miles and has a population of around 57,107 residents. The county seat is located in Rogersville, which is also the second-oldest town in Tennessee.
Hawkins County has a judicial structure that comprises the Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, General Sessions, Juvenile, and Municipal Courts. The Court handles felony criminal matters, civil cases without financial limits, disputes over the validity of a will, and cases for the restoration of citizenship. The Chancery Court manages equity matters, such as disputes over property and some family-related issues. This court also handles probate cases including the administration of trusts, wills, and estates. The Criminal Court exercises jurisdiction over criminal cases, including felonies and certain misdemeanors. The General Sessions Court has limited jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings for felonies, and civil cases involving financial disputes not exceeding $25,000. The Juvenile Court oversees cases involving minors, including delinquency, child abuse, and custody-related matters. On the other hand, the Municipal Courts including Church Hill, handle cases involving city ordinances violations, traffic infractions, and certain misdemeanors within municipal boundaries.
Court records in Hawkins County contain information about court filings, dockets, judgments, minutes, orders, summonses, transcripts, and dispositions generated during legal proceedings within the county. These records are managed by the Circuit Court Clerk who makes them accessible to the public to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial system per Tennessee Public Records Act. Hawkins County court records include:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Probate records
- Family court case records
- Traffic records
However, confidential records, such as those involving juvenile or adoption cases, are restricted to protect sensitive information.
Hawkins County provides online access to certain public court records through the Tennessee Public Case History platform. This service allows users to search for case details by name, case number, or date. While viewing records online is typically free, fees may apply for copying or certified document requests. Alternatively, record seekers may visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:
100 E. Main Street
Rogersville, TN 37857
Phone: (423) 272-3397
