KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE • KNOX COUNTY ARREST & JAIL RECORDS
Knoxville Recent Arrests: Official 24-Hour Bookings, Mugshots, Inmates & Court Records
Trying to find someone arrested in Knoxville today or during the past 24 hours? The Knox County Sheriff’s Office publishes two different official tools: a 24 Hour Arrest List for recent arrests and an Inmate Population search for people currently incarcerated in Knox County.
Start with the tool that answers your question. If the person is not listed, you may need to check release information, contact Inmate Services, search the criminal court docket or request an incident report from Knoxville Police.
On the Sheriff’s official home page, select 24 Hour Arrest to open its latest-arrests service. The inmate button opens the separate county inmate population search.
QUICK ANSWER
Which Knoxville Arrest Search Should You Use?
Knoxville and Knox County have a particularly useful official arrangement: the Sheriff’s Office provides a recent-arrest list and a separate current-inmate database. Those are different searches, even though the same person may appear in both.
Knox County 24 Hour Arrest List
Use the official Sheriff’s 24-hour list to see people reported as arrested within the previous 24 hours. It is the closest direct match for searches such as “Knoxville arrests today.”
Open 24 Hour Arrest Link ↗Knox County Inmate Population
Search by first or last name. The public system may show identifying information, booking/served charges, bond details and court dates where recorded.
Search Inmate Population ↗Knox County Criminal Court Clerk
Use the official Find My Court Date search for criminal and traffic dockets, or contact the Clerk for case records and disposition questions.
Find My Court Date ↗Knoxville Police Records Unit
Use the Knoxville Police Department’s records procedure for reports created by KPD. The Records Unit is separate from the Sheriff’s jail system.
Request KPD Records ↗Do not confuse this jurisdiction with Knoxville, Iowa, Knox County in another state, or a statewide Tennessee prison search. The official Knoxville-area Sheriff’s website is knoxsheriff.org.
RECENT BOOKING SEARCH
How to Check Knoxville’s Official 24-Hour Arrest List
The Sheriff’s 24 Hour Arrest List is designed for very recent activity, not a complete historical criminal-record search. Its 24-hour scope is why someone booked earlier in the week might not appear there even when the underlying court case is still pending.
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Open the Knox County Sheriff’s official website
Go to knoxsheriff.org. On the home page, locate the feature labeled 24 HOUR ARREST LIST or 24 Hour Arrest.
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Open the 24-hour arrest service
Select the official link. Review the currently displayed records and any dates or times associated with the arrest entries. Do not assume an older saved page is still current.
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Check the person’s legal identity
Compare the listed name and additional public identifiers where available. A similar name, approximate age or photograph alone may not establish a reliable match.
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Record any useful booking information
Note the name, booking date, charge description, booking identifier or other details actually displayed. These can help when contacting Inmate Services or locating a related court case.
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If the arrest is older, switch to Inmate Population
Open the official Inmate Population search. It is intended for people currently incarcerated rather than only the past day’s arrests.
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For immediate custody confirmation, call the jail
Knox County Sheriff’s Office lists 865-281-6700 for Inmate Services. Public lists are informational snapshots and should not be relied upon for legal or time-critical decisions without confirmation.
CURRENT CUSTODY RECORDS
How to Search Knox County’s Inmate Population by Name
The official population search supports First Name and Last Name fields. Public results may include a name, date of birth, IDN (inmate identifying number), booking/served documents, charge descriptions, bond type, bond amount and court scheduling information.
Search the jail population
Enter the legal name, then compare the displayed record with the details you know. For common names, prioritize identifying information instead of the name alone.
Open Name Search ↗Question about a listing?
The public database itself warns that its information is not guaranteed complete or timely and gives Inmate Services as the contact for questions.
Call 865-281-6700| Field | What it usually indicates | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|
| IDN | Sheriff’s inmate identifying number. | It is not necessarily a criminal court case number. |
| Booked/Served | Date associated with a booking or document served. | Every listed date is a new arrest date. |
| Charge | Charge or document description. | That the charge has resulted in conviction. |
| Bond Type / Amount | Bond information associated with the listed matter. | That payment guarantees release or resolves other holds. |
| Court Date / Division | Scheduled court event shown in the system. | That a court date cannot change after publication. |
Useful distinction: A record might show a capias, warrant, conditional release order, transcript, hold or probation-related proceeding. These are different legal documents. A separate row in the booking system does not automatically mean a separate new street arrest.
PHOTOGRAPHS & BOOKING RECORDS
Knoxville Mugshots: Where to Check and How to Read Them
Some Knox County inmate records display a photograph alongside identifying and booking information. The official public system is a better starting point than a reposted photo with no date, source or disposition.
When a photograph appears
Confirm the name, age or date of birth, relevant booking information and the date of the underlying record. A photograph should be understood as part of a custody record, not proof of the ultimate result of the case.
When there is no photograph
Do not infer that the person was never arrested. Some records may not display a public photo, and a person no longer in current custody may be absent from the inmate population list.
Charges can be amended, dismissed or resolved after arrest. For the legal case result, use the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk’s records rather than treating a mugshot as a final finding.
KNOXVILLE LAW-ENFORCEMENT STRUCTURE
Knoxville Police vs. Knox County Sheriff vs. Jail
Residents often call everything a “Knoxville arrest,” but the responding agency, jail operator and court record keeper can be separate. The Sheriff’s Corrections Division handles people incarcerated in Knox County from city, county and other agency arrests.
Knoxville Police Department
KPD handles police services within Knoxville city limits. Its Records Unit handles Knoxville Police incident and crash reports.
KPD Records ↗Knox County Sheriff’s Office
KCSO publishes the 24-hour arrest list and inmate population search and operates the county’s corrections facilities.
Knox Sheriff ↗Criminal Court Clerk
The Clerk keeps Criminal Court, General Sessions–Criminal and Fourth Circuit Court records and provides public docket-search tools.
Court Clerk ↗The Sheriff’s Office identifies the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility as the main intake point into Knox County’s correctional system. It also operates the downtown Knox County Jail and a Work Release Center. Confirm the person’s actual facility before traveling.
BOND & RELEASE
How to Check Knoxville Jail Bond Information Before Paying
A public inmate listing may show a bond type and amount, but the correct payment and release procedure depends on the court order, charge and other active holds. Some entries may show no bond or a denied bond rather than a payable amount.
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Find the inmate’s current record
Search the official Inmate Population by legal name, then review the listed bond information.
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Check every relevant charge or hold
Do not rely on only one bond row when multiple warrants, capiases, holds or court matters are listed. An additional hold may prevent release even after an otherwise payable bond is addressed.
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Confirm with Inmate Services
Call 865-281-6700 and ask which official office can confirm the bond amount, accepted payment route and release process.
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Verify fees and accepted payment methods
Ask whether the bond must be handled through the court, jail or another authorized official channel. Do not assume that an inmate commissary deposit pays bond.
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Keep the receipt and court paperwork
Posting bond may secure release under specified conditions but does not cancel charges or remove a required appearance. Check the court docket for upcoming proceedings.
If someone calls demanding an immediate bond payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency or an unfamiliar payment app, independently call the county’s official number before taking any action. Do not trust caller ID alone.
VISITING SOMEONE IN CUSTODY
Knox County Jail Video Visitation and Scheduling
The Sheriff’s Corrections FAQ explains that adult facilities use video visitation, with separate schedules and rules depending on the facility and housing unit. The current FAQ links visitors to CorrectPay for scheduling; other FAQ sections also discuss JailATM video functions. Because providers and scheduling routes can change, start with KCSO’s live instructions rather than choosing a payment provider from an old article.
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Confirm the housing facility
Check whether the individual is at Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility, the downtown Knox County Jail or the Work Release Center.
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Open the official Corrections FAQ
Use KCSO Corrections FAQ and find the appropriate visitation instructions.
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Schedule through the currently approved route
Follow the provider link listed for the relevant facility. Verify the inmate, time slot, account requirements and any charges before submitting.
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For accessible on-site video help, call
The Sheriff’s FAQ identifies 865-281-6700, option 5 for disability-related visitation scheduling. Confirm availability and arrangements directly.
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Be ready at the scheduled time
Keep appropriate identification available where required, follow clothing and conduct rules and ensure your internet connection is reliable for remote visits.
The Sheriff’s FAQ describes public video-visitation kiosks and remote visitation, while stating routine in-person contact visits are not available for its adult jails. Do not drive to a housing facility expecting face-to-face contact visitation without confirmation.
COMMISSARY & INMATE FUNDS
How to Send Money to a Knox County Jail Inmate
KCSO’s Corrections FAQ lists facility kiosk deposits, an online JailATM route and mailed money orders or cashier’s checks. These are inmate-account options, not a substitute for the court’s bond procedure.
Facility ATM
The Sheriff’s published FAQ lists a $4.95 surcharge for cash ATM deposits and 10% for credit-card ATM deposits.
Check Deposit Rules ↗JailATM
KCSO also identifies JailATM for inmate-account funding and certain communication services. Confirm the selected facility and any live processing fee.
Verify Online Provider ↗Money Order or Cashier’s Check
The Sheriff’s FAQ permits approved money orders and cashier’s checks by mail, with the inmate name and IDN. Do not include personal correspondence with the payment.
Read Mailing Instructions ↗Published mailing destination for money orders / cashier’s checks
Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility
5001 Maloneyville Road
Knoxville, TN 37918
The Sheriff’s FAQ instructs senders to make money orders or cashier’s checks payable to Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility, in care of the inmate’s name and IDN. Confirm current instructions before mailing funds, especially if a person was transferred.
LETTERS, PHONE & PROPERTY
Knox County Inmate Mail, Phone Contact and Property Release
Mailing an inmate
KCSO’s published address format includes the inmate’s name and IDN, unit number and pod assignment, followed by the facility address.
Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility
5001 Maloneyville Road
Knoxville, TN 37918
Ask about prohibited items, legal mail and current mailing rules before posting original documents or photographs.
Emergency family information
For a verified family emergency, the Sheriff’s Corrections FAQ directs people to call 865-281-6700 or 865-342-9620 and explain the emergency to the operator.
Facility staff may need to verify the circumstances before passing a message to an inmate.
Property pickup
The Sheriff’s FAQ says inmate personal property may be released following required authorization and receipt procedures. The release of money has different timing from the release of other property.
Call the facility before traveling to collect belongings.
Telephone and electronic messages
Use the communications provider currently identified by KCSO. The Corrections FAQ includes provider guidance for calls, messages and video options, which can differ from ordinary inmate deposits.
Check rates and account rules before funding.
CASE SEARCH & COURT DATE
How to Find a Knoxville Criminal Court Date After an Arrest
The Knox County Criminal Court Clerk provides a searchable docket for Criminal, Traffic and County Ordinance matters. This is a particularly useful next step if the person has been released or the jail listing no longer explains the case.
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Open the official Find My Court Date service
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Enter the relevant search criteria
The official page provides First Name, Last Name and Division Name options, together with required Date From and Date To fields.
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Select a reasonable date range
If you know the hearing date approximately, search around that period. A broad range may create more results, especially for a common surname.
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Check the division and hearing details
Review any matching docket entries. An inmate listing may show an earlier scheduled event; use the Clerk’s current docket information for court planning.
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If you need a case copy or disposition, contact the Clerk
Call 865-215-2375. The Criminal Court Clerk’s office is at 400 Main Street SW, Suite 149, Knoxville, TN 37902.
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Plan for courthouse security
The county’s Coming to Court guide identifies public entrances and security screening at the City-County Building. Check the posted rules before bringing belongings or arranging parking.
The Find My Court Date service helps locate scheduled hearings. It is not necessarily a complete certified criminal-history report. For case copies, a dismissal order, expungement questions or official disposition documentation, contact the Clerk’s office.
INCIDENT REPORTS & LOCAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
How to Request Knoxville Police Arrest and Incident Records
The Knoxville Police Department’s Records Unit serves a different purpose from the Sheriff inmate database. Use KPD when the underlying incident was investigated by Knoxville Police and you need an incident report, accident report or local criminal-background request.
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Open Knoxville Police Records
Go to KPD Police Records. Identify whether you need an incident report, crash report, local background check or another kind of record.
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For an incident report, provide identifying details
Use the case number when known, together with the incident date, location and other details needed to locate the report.
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Choose in-person or mail where allowed
KPD lists its public Records Unit at 1650 Huron Street. Mailed report requests with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope go to 1617 Saint Mary Street, Knoxville, TN 37917, Attention Records.
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Prepare the accepted payment type
The Records Unit currently lists cash, check and money order. Do not assume a card payment is accepted at the report counter.
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For a local background check, bring identification
KPD says its local background-check procedure requires a government-issued photo ID and Social Security card. It is a local service, not a statewide FBI or Tennessee Bureau of Investigation check.
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For other KPD public records, use its request portal
For requests other than ordinary incident/crash reports, follow the NextRequest guidance linked from the official KPD records page.
Knoxville Police Records Unit
Public counter: 1650 Huron Street, Knoxville, TN 37917
Records phone: 865-215-7231
Email: kpdrecords@knoxvilletn.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
A police incident report may contain legally protected information. Do not assume every document, body-camera recording, juvenile record or investigative detail is available to every requester.
TENNESSEE STATE SOURCES
When to Use TDOC FOIL, TBI or Tennessee SAVIN
Tennessee FOIL
Search felony offenders currently or previously under Tennessee Department of Correction custody or supervision. This is not the Knoxville 24-hour arrest list.
Official FOIL Search ↗Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Use TBI for applicable statewide criminal-history background-check services. Fees, identity requirements and permissible uses differ from a local jail search.
Official TBI ↗Tennessee SAVIN / VINE
For supported custody notifications, the Sheriff’s site identifies Tennessee SAVIN and the toll-free number 888-868-4631. Verify safety-critical information directly with the responsible agency.
Open VINELink ↗TROUBLESHOOTING
Why Someone May Not Appear in Knoxville Recent Arrests
| Situation | Possible explanation | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest occurred more than 24 hours ago | Person may have aged out of the 24-hour list. | Search current inmate population and court dockets. |
| Very recent arrest not displayed | Processing or public-system update may not be complete. | Call 865-281-6700 if custody verification is urgent. |
| Wrong or incomplete name | Legal name differs from nickname or spelling used. | Retry first/last name and verify other identifiers. |
| Person was released | No longer in the current inmate population. | Search court date and case records. |
| Arrest took place outside Knox County | Different jail has custody. | Identify the arresting county and receiving facility. |
| State prison custody | Person may be within TDOC jurisdiction. | Use Tennessee FOIL. |
| Record not publicly available | Juvenile, sealed, expunged or otherwise restricted information. | Follow the lawful court or agency access process. |
For an uncertain or missing result, follow the sequence: 24 Hour Arrest List → Inmate Population → Inmate Services → Criminal Court Clerk. Each step answers a different question.
KNOXVILLE OFFICE DIRECTORY
Knox County Jail, Police and Criminal Court Contacts
Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility
5001 Maloneyville Road
Knoxville, TN 37918
Inmate Services: 865-281-6700
Detention Information ↗Downtown Knox County Jail
400 W. Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Located within the downtown City-County Building complex. Confirm which facility houses the inmate before traveling.
Sheriff Locations ↗Knoxville Police Department
1650 Huron Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Main: 865-215-7000
Non-emergency: 865-215-4010
Records: 865-215-7231
Knox County Criminal Court Clerk
400 Main Street SW, Suite 149
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: 865-215-2375
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The detention facility on Maloneyville Road and the downtown Knox County Jail are not the same building. Court records are handled in the City-County Building downtown. The Knoxville Police Records Unit is on Huron Street.
AVOID COMMON ERRORS
Knoxville Arrest Search Mistakes That Cause Confusion
- Using the 24-hour list for a week-old arrest.Switch to the inmate population search or court records after the recent-arrest window.
- Assuming an inmate listing is a conviction.Use the Criminal Court Clerk for disposition information.
- Using a nickname for the search.Check the legal first and last names and other available identifiers.
- Confusing KPD with the Sheriff’s Office.KPD handles city police reports; KCSO operates the county inmate services and arrest lists.
- Paying commissary funds instead of bond.Always confirm the official bond order and payment route separately.
- Traveling to Maloneyville Road for a downtown court hearing.Confirm the location and courtroom before travel.
- Using TDOC FOIL as a local booking roster.FOIL covers a different Tennessee felony-offender population.
- Expecting every mugshot to remain online.Photo availability and current custody listings differ from permanent court records.
- Assuming visitation providers never change.Always open KCSO’s current FAQ before registering or paying.
- Using arrest data for legally regulated screening.Employment, housing and other consumer-reporting uses may require legally compliant, verified records and appropriate authorization. USA-Arrests.org is not a consumer reporting agency.
LOCAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Knoxville Recent Arrests: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where can I see recent arrests in Knoxville, TN?
Go to the official Knox County Sheriff’s Office website at knoxsheriff.org and select 24 Hour Arrest. The Sheriff’s service is intended for people arrested in Knox County within the previous 24 hours.
2. How do I find someone currently in Knox County Jail?
Use the Sheriff’s Inmate Population search at sheriff.knoxcountytn.gov/inmate.php. Search by first or last name and compare the identifying details. For questions about current custody, call Inmate Services at 865-281-6700.
3. Does the Knoxville 24-hour arrest list show older arrests?
It is specifically intended for the previous 24 hours, not a complete historical arrest archive. For someone arrested earlier, check the current inmate population and Knox County criminal court records.
4. Can I find Knoxville mugshots online?
Some official Knox County inmate records display booking photographs, but availability varies. A booking photo is not proof of guilt and should be checked against reliable identifying information and the court record.
5. What number confirms Knox County inmate custody or bond information?
Knox County Sheriff’s Office identifies Inmate Services at 865-281-6700 for questions about public inmate information. Confirm bond amounts, holds and the official release procedure before making payment or traveling.
6. How do I schedule Knox County jail visitation?
Open the official KCSO Corrections FAQ for the approved video-visitation scheduling route. Visit schedules differ by facility and housing unit, and the Sheriff’s FAQ describes up to two scheduled visits per week under applicable rules.
7. How do I send money to a Knoxville jail inmate?
KCSO lists facility ATM deposits, online JailATM options, and money orders or cashier’s checks by mail. Its published FAQ lists a $4.95 surcharge for cash kiosk deposits and a 10% credit-card kiosk surcharge. Verify the current instructions before funding.
8. Where can I find a Knoxville criminal court date?
Use the Knox County Criminal Court Clerk’s Find My Court Date service at criminalcourt.knoxcounty.org/docket-search. It provides name/division and required date-range fields. The Clerk’s contact number is 865-215-2375.
9. How do I get a Knoxville Police incident report?
Contact Knoxville Police Records at 865-215-7231 or visit 1650 Huron Street during weekday Records Unit hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. KPD currently lists ordinary report copies at $0.15 per page.
10. Why is someone missing from the Knoxville inmate population search?
The person may have been released, transferred, booked too recently for the public information to appear, held in another jurisdiction or listed under different identifying details. Retry the official search, then contact Inmate Services at 865-281-6700 when confirmation is needed.
VERIFIED OFFICIAL ROUTES