Criminal records in Cocke County, Tennessee, are accessible through several channels. CockeCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Cocke County. You can also search through official state court record systems, the Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and the Cocke County Sheriff's Office. Each of these sources may contain different types of records depending on the case and court involved.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cocke County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Cocke County. What you need to get started:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
- Case number (if known)
Through CockeCourt.us
Start at CockeCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information in Cocke County. You can search by name or case number to locate criminal case details.
Online — State and County Portals
- Tennessee Public Court Records (tncrtinfo.com) — The Circuit Court Clerk's website directs users to this portal. Select "Cocke County Circuit Court" to look up criminal and civil cases filed in Circuit Court.
- Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) — Use the FOIL search page to look up individuals convicted of felonies who are or were under supervision by the Tennessee Department of Correction. This is a free statewide tool.
- Tennessee Department of Correction Offender Search — The TDOC offender search is also available through the MyTN mobile app.
- TBI Background Checks — Official statewide criminal history checks are available through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Fees apply.
In Person
Visit the Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at the courthouse in Newport. Public access terminals or staff assistance may be available during business hours. You can also contact the office by phone at 423-623-1285 to confirm availability before visiting.
By Mail or Written Request
Written requests for criminal court records can be sent to the Circuit Court Clerk. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, Tennessee citizens have the right to access county public records. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, and case number if available. For statewide criminal history reports, submit a request directly to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security also accepts open records requests using Form SF-1565.
Search Cocke County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is faster and more precise. Tennessee case numbers generally follow a format that includes:
- A county or court code — identifies the court where the case was filed
- A case type prefix — indicates the nature of the case (e.g., "CR" for criminal)
- A sequential number — assigned in the order the case was filed
- A filing year — the two- or four-digit year the case was initiated
For example, a Cocke County criminal case number might look like CC-CR-2024-00123, where "CC" refers to the county or court, "CR" indicates a criminal case, and the remaining digits reflect the year and sequence. Enter this number into the Tennessee Public Court Records system (tncrtinfo.com) by selecting Cocke County Circuit Court for the most direct results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cocke County
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) section the defendant is charged under |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A–E), misdemeanor (Classes A–C), or violation/infraction |
| Amended charges | Original charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or court rulings |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting further action
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — A final outcome has been reached (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — All matters related to the case are concluded
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — Judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, potential plea agreements, or trial readiness
- Trial — Evidence is presented before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Court monitors compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Defendant acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution
- Nolle prosequi — Prosecution declines to pursue the case
- Diversion — Defendant completes a program; charges may later be expunged under T.C.A. §40-32-101
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cocke County
Certified copies of criminal court records in Cocke County are handled by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The General Sessions Court Clerk handles misdemeanor and preliminary hearing records from that court.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at the Cocke County Courthouse in Newport. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request with the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a description of the records you need. Include a check or money order for applicable fees.
- By phone — Call 423-623-1285 to ask about record availability and current fees before submitting a request.
Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
For statewide criminal history reports, contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. A fingerprint-based background check provides the most comprehensive results and requires submission of a completed request form along with applicable fees.
Identification Needed
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Written authorization if requesting records on behalf of another person (depending on the record type)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cocke County
Fees for criminal record copies in Tennessee are generally set by state statute. The table below reflects standard fee ranges. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk at 423-623-1285 to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Estimated Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard record copy (per page) | $0.50 | Per T.C.A. §10-7-503; actual county fee may vary |
| Certified copy | $5.00–$10.00 | Certification fee added to per-page copy cost |
| TBI state criminal history check | $29.00 | Fee set by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; fingerprint-based |
| FOIL search (felony offender lookup) | Free | Online through the Tennessee FOIL portal |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often fulfilled the same day or within a few business days, depending on staff availability and the age of the records
- Mail requests — Typically 1–2 weeks; allow additional time for mailing
- TBI background checks — Processing times vary; electronic submissions are generally faster than paper submissions
- Older or archived records — May require additional time to locate and retrieve
Payment methods accepted at the Cocke County Circuit Court Clerk's Office may include cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment types before visiting or mailing a request.