Court records of Roane County, Tennessee, are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office and are accessible through several channels. RoaneCourt.us helps quickly find public information about court cases in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained through official state court portals, directly at the court office in Kingston, or through other government resources. The Circuit Court Clerk office serves the Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions, Juvenile, Traffic, and Collections Court divisions.
Roane Court System Overview
Roane County is part of the 9th Judicial District of Tennessee. The county's judicial system includes Circuit Court, Criminal Court, Chancery Court, and General Sessions Court. The administrative center is the city of Kingston, where the historic Roane County Courthouse is located.
The Circuit Court Clerk's office maintains documentation for all court divisions, including cases in juvenile justice and debt collection branches. General Sessions Court handles preliminary hearings in criminal cases, minor civil claims, and traffic violations — it is the first point of contact for most residents.
Courts Serving Roane
Residents of Roane County are served by several courts at both the state and federal levels.
State Courts of Tennessee
| Court | Address / Contacts |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court / Criminal Court | 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 |
| Chancery Court | 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 |
| General Sessions Court | 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 |
| Juvenile Court | 200 East Race Street, Kingston, TN 37763 |
Federal Court
| Court | Address / Contacts |
|---|---|
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee | 800 Market Street, Suite 130 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Tennessee | 800 Market Street, Suite 330 |
What Types of Cases Roane Courts Hear
Roane County courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Criminal cases — felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil cases — claims of any amount, small claims
- Family law — divorce, custody, alimony, paternity establishment
- Probate cases — estate management, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile cases — juvenile offenses, child protection, adoption
- Traffic violations — fines, DUI
A detailed review of each category is provided below.
District Court Cases in Roane
The Circuit Court and Criminal Court of Roane County handle the most serious cases. Felonies reach this level after a preliminary hearing in General Sessions Court, where a judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed. Civil claims exceeding the jurisdictional limit of General Sessions Court are also heard at this level.
Chancery Court deals with equity cases — disputes over real estate, trusts, certain family matters, and appeals from administrative bodies. Cases are assigned to judges according to the court's schedule. Appeals from General Sessions Court also go to Circuit Court for de novo review — meaning the case is heard entirely anew.
Magistrate Court Cases in Roane
In Tennessee, the role similar to a magistrate court is performed by the General Sessions Court. This is where most cases encountered by county residents begin.
General Sessions Court handles:
- Misdemeanors and minor offenses
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims up to $25,000
- Traffic violations
- First appearances of defendants in DUI cases
The jurisdictional limit for civil cases in Tennessee's General Sessions Court is $25,000 according to Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-501. Traffic violations and Collections Court cases are also serviced through the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Roane
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, alimony, and protective order cases are heard in Circuit Court or Chancery Court, depending on the nature of the claim. Paternity establishment and termination of parental rights also fall under the jurisdiction of these courts. Claims are filed through the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Probate
Chancery Court handles cases concerning the estates of deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust issues. If a person dies intestate, Chancery Court oversees the distribution of the estate.
Juvenile Justice
The Juvenile Court of Roane County hears cases involving juvenile offenses, child protection, and related issues. Juvenile court records are confidential under Tennessee law. For information regarding juvenile cases, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 865-376-5578.
How Cases Move Through the Roane Court System
- Filing a case. A criminal case begins with a complaint or arrest warrant. A civil case starts with a complaint or petition.
- Assignment of a judge. The case is assigned to an appropriate judge depending on the type and division of the court.
- First hearing. In criminal cases — arraignment (announcement of charges and determination of bail). In civil cases — scheduling conference.
- Pre-trial phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or resolution. The case concludes with a jury verdict, plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment. Sentencing, filing an appeal, or enforcing the court's decision.
In General Sessions Court, the process is usually quicker — cases are often resolved in one or two hearings. If a party disagrees with the decision, they have the right to appeal to Circuit Court within 10 days.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Roane
The courts of Roane County are administered under the guidance of the administrative judge of the 9th Judicial District. The Circuit Court Clerk's office coordinates the daily operations of the office and ensures access to court records.
According to the Roane County Public Records Policy, adopted in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503(g), most court records are open to the public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, and certain documents protected by privacy law.
To obtain copies of records:
- Visit the office in person at 200 East Race Street, Kingston
- Submit a written request for public records in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act
Hearings are generally open to the public. For schedule details or remote participation options, call the office at 865-376-5578.
The Records & Archives department of the county, located in the historic Roane County Courthouse at 119 Court Street in Kingston, preserves all permanent historical records and coordinates document management practices among county offices.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Roane
- Court Case Search: To search for information on county court records, use RoaneCourt.us or contact the office directly.
- Circuit Court Clerk's Office: The Circuit Court Clerk's office handles requests regarding criminal, civil, family, and juvenile cases.
- Land Records: The Register of Deeds maintains property records dating back to 1801. Access to land records online is available by paid subscription; the office is currently digitizing record books.
- Property Taxes: The Trustee's Office accepts tax payments, including online. Property assessments can be checked through the TN Property Viewer or on the Assessor of Property page.
- Felony Offender Search: The Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) allows searching for information on individuals currently or formerly under the supervision of the Tennessee Department of Correction.
- Sex Offender Registry: Search is available through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation website.
- Sheriff and Jail: Information about inmates and law enforcement activities can be found on the Sheriff's Department and Jail page.
- State Open Records Requests: For requests to the Department of Safety & Homeland Security, use the Open Records form.
- County Archives: Records & Archives fulfills requests in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Act and preserves the county's historical documents.