Blount County Court Records Lookup

Blount County Courts, TN *

The court system of Blount County is elaborate, as guided by Tennessee's Judicial System. This way, the courts can address a range of cases, from major family, juvenile, probate, criminal, and civil cases to minor cases like traffic violations, small claims, evictions, and misdemeanors. The system is organized such that various courts handle the cases within the county based on their jurisdictions. Parties can appeal judgments to gain more favorable outcomes, quickly resolve their everyday matters, and find help with filing their first case and accessing court records.

How to Access Blount County Court Records

Online Access

Blount County allows interested parties to conveniently access public court records from the various trial courts through a county-wide system. Thanks to the Blount County Online Court Records Search portal, inquirers can access records from the Circuit and General Sessions Court and the Clerk and Master's office, particularly civil and criminal cases. For access, they need the party name, case number, and case year. The system maintains records from 2019 and other cases, provided that they are accessible to the public.

Alternative Online Options

For parties seeking records in Blount County who are unsure of where to start or which office maintains their records, they can use CourtCaseFinder. It is a third-party tool that aggregates public filings from reliable sources into one platform, so they are more convenient to find. Inquirers can access records of divorces, civil matters, arrests, and more at the click of a button, which saves them a lot of time and effort. It is also handy for legal professionals accessing multiple records from various courts in Blount and other counties in Tennessee.

In-Person Requests

Some records are not available online, particularly older and hard-copy records or official copies. In such cases, parties should contact the relevant clerks of the courts where the cases were filed. Cases from the Circuit and General Sessions Courts, and protection orders and traffic matters, can be accessed from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. On the other hand, records from the Chancery Court can be obtained in person from the Clerk & Master's Office. Other records can also be found with the help of respective court clerks, but for the offices to assist, inquirers should provide the particulars of the case, like the case number, names of parties mentioned, and estimated filing dates.

Archived Records

Some older records can be accessed from the various clerks' offices. However, if missing, parties can check at the dedicated site that maintains older records in the county, the Blount County Records Management & Archives. The system keeps records from as far back as 1795 to date and is an invaluable source of historical records, provided they are public. The records can be found online, but for inquirers making on-site research, they must schedule an appointment in advance. Alternatively, for old chancery records, parties can check the Blount County Public Library for its microfilm collection.

Overview of the Blount County Court System

Tennessee has 32 judicial districts, and Blount County is the only one in Judicial District 5. Not all counties have the same court structure, making the state one of the most elaborate court systems. Starting at the state level, there is the Supreme Court, which is the last resort court that also oversees the other chambers. There are two more appellate courts in the state: the Court of Appeals and the Court of Criminal Appeals, which review civil and criminal cases from the counties, respectively.

The first court in Blount County is the Circuit Court, divided into Division I for primary civil matters and Division II for Primary Criminal Proceedings. The next court is the Chancery Court, which handles equity and probate cases separately from the Circuit Court. The Juvenile Court, however, specializes in hearing matters involving minors like delinquency and custody proceedings. The General Sessions Court, on the other hand, resolves minor everyday criminal and civil cases like misdemeanors and traffic-related cases, and lastly, Municipal Courts work within the city limits, enforcing traffic and city codes.

Types of Courts in Blount County, Tennessee

Circuit Court

Blount County's Circuit Court is one of the highest courts in the region and is divided into two main divisions. The Circuit Civil Court, or Division I, handles civil matters while the Circuit Criminal Court, or Division II, hears criminal cases.

Primary location: Blount County Justice Center

It is divided into two divisions, handling major cases as follows:

• Division I: Civil litigation, major civil lawsuits, and appeals from the Juvenile and General Sessions Court
• Circuit Criminal Court: Felonies, criminal cases, Motor Vehicle Habitual Offender, and other criminal-related proceedings

Chancery Court

The Chancery Court in Blount County operates separately from the Circuit Court, although some functions overlap. However, it mainly handles equity matters and civil disputes.

Primary location: Blount County Justice Center

Its cases include:

• Equity matters
• Certain debt disputes
• Some civil disputes
• Adoptions
• Conservatorships
• Domestic-relations matters

General Sessions Court

Handling common everyday matters among the locals, the General Session Criminal Court and the General Session Civil Court. They are organized to handle specific criminal and civil disputes, respectively.

Primary location: Blount County Justice Center

The two General Sessions courts hear cases as follows:

• General Session Criminal Court: Misdemeanors, preliminary hearings of felonies, and some traffic-related cases
• General Session Civil Court: Small claims and minor civil cases (under $25,000)

Juvenile Court

The county's Juvenile Court exercises exclusive jurisdiction over all cases involving juveniles and children or parties under 18 years. Records from the court also receive special confidentiality protections, unlike other cases involving adults.

Primary location: Blount County Justice Center

Its cases include:

• Juvenile delinquency
• Juvenile dependency
• Custody matters
• Child paternity
• Parental rights termination
• Some juvenile traffic offenses

Municipal Courts

The county's Municipal Courts function within the city's limits, unlike other trial courts. They are located in various municipal buildings in Alcoa, Maryville, Rockford, and Townsend, and only deal with cases and disputes involving violations of local municipal rules.

Their cases include:

• Traffic violations
• Violations of municipal ordinances
• Other offenses within the geographical jurisdiction of the courts

How to File a Case in Blount County

Filing a case in Blount County requires that the filer pay attention to the details to avoid misfilings that could jeopardize or derail their submission. For successful filing, parties follow the steps below.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

The initial step is identifying which court handles their case, so all filings are directed to the right chambers with the corresponding jurisdiction. The Circuit Court receives major civil lawsuits and criminal charges, while the General Sessions Court handles small claims and lower-level criminal matters. The Juvenile Court, however, hears cases involving minors, while the Chancery Court hears Equity and Probate cases, so when filing, parties should understand their case details to know where the filing belongs.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Once filers determine the appropriate court, the next step is completing the relevant court forms based on that case type. The forms can be downloaded from the Form Center provided by the county, listing various form types from the courts. Alternatively, filers can obtain the forms from the court clerks, who can also provide instructions on the proper way to file to avoid rejections and delays. These forms must be filled out without blank spaces, and the details must be accurate, or else the case could be affected.

Step 3: File the Case

Cases in Blount County are filed at the courthouse through the respective court clerks. The Circuit Court Clerk receives filings for the Circuit Court, while the Clerk & Master's Office receives Chancery Court cases. The other cases are also filed through the other court clerks, and if parties are unsure of the office, they can ask the courthouse staff for assistance. They can guide them to the office to go to based on their cases.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Filing fees are due when the cases are filed. They are mandatory, and the amount required usually depends on the court and the case type. Filers should confirm the costs from the county's fee schedule, which lists the amounts based on the categories and case types. If they cannot pay the full amount, they can request a waiver by filling out the Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency. If accepted, they can proceed with the case without paying the filing fees.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

After filing, the opposing side or respondents must be formally notified about the case. They must receive the summonses and complaints so they can also start preparing their defense. Service can be handled by the sheriff/ deputy or a registered process server working in the region. The filer will also be required to file the proof of service with the court, and only then can the case proceed to the major stages.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

A lot happens after filing, and the parties must stay updated to avoid risking their case. They can track their cases online through the Blount County Online Court Records Search, which provides details of cases, or they can receive notifications from the clerks of the courts where they filed their cases. Monitoring updates them on important developments like court dates, deadlines, petitions and motions filed, trial settings, and whether additional filings are needed.

Blount County Courthouse Directory

Legal and Self-Help Resources

Low-income residents, senior citizens, and other marginalized communities in Blount County can receive free civil legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET). The organization's Marville office helps locals access free civil legal assistance in matters such as housing, family law, education, consumer issues, and other civil matters. Also, HELP4TN assists locals with free legal information to help self-represented parties and parties who cannot afford legal representation learn more about their case and how to defend themselves. Self-filers can also rely on the courthouse staff for assistance when they are stuck filing cases or accessing court records. Although they are not allowed to offer legal advice, they can help residents interact better with the court system of Blount County.

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