Roane County
Roane County was created in 1801, originating from parts of Knox County in Tennessee. The land area covers approximately 360.8 square miles, with an estimated population of around 53,777. The administrative headquarters is Kingston, the largest city.
The Roane County trial court system consists of a Circuit Court, a Criminal Court, a Chancery Court, a General Session Court, a Juvenile Court, and Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $25,000 and appeals from the General Sessions, Juvenile, and Municipal Courts. The Criminal Court deals with felony and misdemeanor appeals from lower courts. The Chancery Court, through a Chancellor, presides over adoptions and domestic relations cases. The General Session Court conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases and handles misdemeanor trials. It also addresses divorce, traffic infractions, and civil cases with claims less than $25,000. The Juvenile Court presides over cases involving minors under 18 years, such as juvenile delinquency, child custody, child abuse, and neglect. Some cities have Municipal Courts, which hear traffic infractions and ordinance violations.
Roane County public court records include documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, microfilms, and other materials made or received concerning legal proceedings, regardless of physical form or characteristics. The Circuit Court Clerk is the official custodian of Circuit, Criminal, General Session, and Juvenile Courts records. The Clerk and Master's Office is responsible for court records in the Chancery Court and probate cases. The following are types of public court records in Roane County:
- Civil records
- Criminal records
- Traffic records
- Family law records
- Probate records
The Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA) gives the public the right to access open court records. To access court records, interested persons may visit the clerk's office at:
200, East Race Street
Kingston, TN 37763
Phone: (865) 376-2390 (Circuit/Criminal Court)
Phone: (865) 376-5584 (General Sessions Court)
Phone: (865) 376-3861 (Juvenile Court)
Phone: (865) 376-2487 (Chancery Court)
Fax: (865) 376-1228
The public may search Circuit, Criminal, and General Sessions court records online through the Online Court Records System. Per Title 8-21-401 of the Tennessee Annotated Code, obtaining court records costs a $0.50 fee per page and a $5 fee for certification. They may also access Municipal Court records by visiting the courthouses.
