Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I obtain a copy of an offense/accident report?
- How do I find out about organizing a neighborhood watch program?
- How do I find out about the status of my case?
- How do I find out about civil process scheduled to be served ?
- How do I find out information concerning inmates at the Hamilton County Jail?
- How do I apply for employment with Hamilton County Sheriff's Office?
- What is civil process?
- How can I get civil process issued?
- Where do I go to file civil process?
- How much does it cost to file a law suit?
- Do I need a lawyer to file a lawsuit?
- If I don’t use an attorney how do I file process?
- Can I get help in filling a lawsuit?
- If I do file a lawsuit how do I get it delivered to the defendant(s) so that I may go to court?
- What do I do if I am a victim of burglary or a property related crime?
- What can I do to increase the probability of my case being solved?
- Who can I contact if I am a victim of domestic violence?
Sexual Offender Registry Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is required to register?
- What does "sexual offender" mean?
- What does "sexual offense" mean?
- Are juvenile offenders required to register?
- When and where does an offender register?
- What information must an offender provide at the time of registration?
- What happens if an offender changes his or her address or other registration information during the registration period?
- Is an offender who moves from another state to Tennessee required to register?
- What if an offender lives in another state but works or goes to school in Tennessee?
- Is registration a lifetime requirement?
- Are there any penalties for failing to register or for providing false information?
- What information is released to the public about the registered offenders?
- Can I search the internet for offenders in my area?
- What is the penalty for misuse of offender information?
Answers
Q. How do I obtain a copy of an offense or accident report?
A. Accident and offense reports may be obtained at the located at 601 Walnut Street floor 1b. The phone number is 423-209-7111. Note: Make sure report was completed by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. There are over seven other law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in different areas of Hamilton County.
Q. How do I find out about organizing a neighborhood watch program?
A. Neighborhood watch programs are provided as a service by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Patrol Services may be contacted at 423-209-8900.
Q. How do I find out about the status of my case?
A. Property crimes under $500.00 are generally handled by (423) 209-8900. Violent crime and property crimes over $500.00 are forwarded to (423) 209-8940. You may contact these divisions and request information regarding your case.
Q. How do I find out about civil process scheduled to be served?
A. The Civil Process Division may be contacted at 423-209-7160 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.
Q. How do I find out information regarding inmates at the Hamilton County Jail?
A. The Hamilton County Jail can be contacted at (423) 209-7050 (24) hours a day, (7) days a week. The Jail is located at 601 Walnut Street across from the City/County Courts Building.
Q. How do I apply for employment with Hamilton County Sheriff's Office?
A. All applications must be submitted through the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Personnel Division. For information regarding currently available positions you may contact Carole Miller at (423) 209-7014. Further information regarding minimal applicant requirements and available positions may be located on our employment page.
A. Process has been defined as “the means of compelling a defendant in an action to appear in court, or a means whereby a court compels compliance with is demands” (Blacks Law Dictionary, 5th edition) Simply, process is an order of the court directing that an action be done.
Q. How can I get civil process issued?
A. Civil process in Hamilton County must be issued by one of the three civil courts, the forms for the type of process requested must be completed and presented to the clerk of the court. If the court grants the request the process will be issued.
Q. Where do I go to file a civil process?
A. There are three courts concerned with civil process in Hamilton County. Each court is described herein:
General Session Court, Civil Division
General Sessions is a small claims court with a $15,000 maximum
limit. The majority of cases filed in Sessions Court are delinquent
accounts, eviction process (detainer & writ of possession), recovery
of personal property (contract agreements, damage or personal injury,
executions by garnishment or levy, subpoenas and numerous other
actions relating to small claims.
The Clerks Office is located in the Hamilton County Courts Building,
First Floor, 600 Market Street, (423) 209-7630.
Circuit Court (Court of Record)
Civil actions issued from Circuit Court include Domestic Relations
(divorce, restraining order, custody orders, show cause orders,
body attachment, order of protection etc, lawsuits relating to personal
injury, damage to real or personal property, malpractice, mental
health, attachment of real or personal property, execution by garnishment
or levy and all other related matters.
The Clerk’s Office is located in the Hamilton County Courthouse,
Fifth Floor, Walnut Street, (423) 209-6700.
Chancery Court (Court of Record)
The process generated from this court parallels that of Circuit
Court. In addition to those listed, Chancery Court also handles
all probate matters, conservator and guardianship cases plus mental
health process, adoptions, and the sale of real property for back
taxes.
The Clerk & Master Office is located in the Hamilton County Courthouse,
Third Floor, Walnut Street, (423) 209-6600.
Q. How much does it cost to file a lawsuit?
A. Costs vary depending on the type of process and the number of defendants. Fees for process are paid directly to the courts.
Q. Do I need a lawyer to file a lawsuit?
A. No, but remember that many lawsuits require legal ability that the lay person may not possess.
Q. If I don’t use an attorney how do I file process?
A. Pro Se (which means you are filing for yourself).
Q. Can I get help in filling a lawsuit?
A. If you need assistance in filing your process, help is available in each clerk’s office, however the clerk does not give legal advice.
Q. If I do file a lawsuit how do I get it delivered to the defendant(s) so that I may go to court?
A. When the process is filed it is sent to the Sheriff’s Civil
Process Division for serving. The process is personally served to the
defendant(s), the return of service completed, process returned to the
issuing court. The clerk will notify you of your court date.
Note: If you require legal assistance it is suggested that you
consult with your attorney. The clerk of the court, nor the sheriff,
can provide legal assistance or legal advice.
Q. What do I do if I am a victim of burglary or a property related crime?
A. Investigative services attempts to respond with patrol
to as many burglaries as possible. The documentation process may include
photographs, a check for latent prints and a written narrative regarding
condition of crime scene. While this is an important process, there
are other factors even more important in the probability of your case
being solved. It has been our experience that most cases are solved
through the tracking of property (serial numbers), word of mouth, citizen
observations, and yes, many times the suspicions of the victim. Many
times your first impression is accurate; so do not hesitate to inform
investigating officers of any possible suspects.
While a check for latent prints may be conducted, things in the real
world do not operate like they do on TV. The type, location and texture
of surfaces many times rule out any possibility of identifiable prints.
Further, prints may be of no value if a friend or relative has committed
the crime. If they have lawfully been on the premises there is a justifiable
reason for their prints being at scene. For these reasons we are trained
to look for ideal surfaces in which there is a high probability perpetrator
has touched. Unfortunately at this time the amount of time taken to
analyze prints is approximately (6) months. The Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation conducts the examination of prints on a priority level
with those obtained in violent crime scenes being first in priority.
Q. What can I do to increase the probability of my case being solved?
A. We recommend that you:
1. Talk to neighbors, friends, family members and co-workers
regarding your case.
2. Provide a detailed description of items taken to investigator,
especially any possibly serial numbers.
3. Search for and if missing, cancel any checks, credit cards, debit
cards and cellular phones (Ask providers to notify you if items
are fraudulently used).
4. Check with vendors for serial numbers of items that may have
extended warranties.
5. Relay any hunches or suspicions to investigator assigned to your
case.
6. Don't rule out friends, relatives and acquaintances, on average
they account for possibly 45% of our reported crimes.
Q. Who can I contact if I am a victim of domestic violence?
A. If you are a victim, we are here to help you. Domestic
Violence is considered a serious crime by the Hamilton County Sheriff's
Office. Four (4) Investigators in the Crimes Against Persons Unit have
received specialized training in this area and are also instructors
in the field of Domestic Violence.
The safety of victims and children is our greatest concern. We realize
that danger increases when victims attempt to leave an abusive relationship.
For more information on domestic violence, visit our
domestic violence page.
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