Dekalb County Court Records Lookup

Dekalb County Courts, TN *

DeKalb County, in central Tennessee southwest of Nashville, has a rich history of outdoor recreation and rural living. However, DeKalb County residents need access to the court system to file a lawsuit or obtain court records. Citizens of the county may need to have a contract dispute settled, file for divorce or child custody, or hear a tenant-landlord dispute. Knowing how the court system works can save time and reduce stress.

How to Access DeKalb County Court Records

Online Access

While many neighboring states have online access to court records, Tennessee's court system does not have statewide access. In fact, access is limited to specific counties and courts. DeKalb County's court records are not available online. Residents who need court records may need to visit the DeKalb County Courthouse to access those records.

Alternative Online Options

One way DeKalb County residents may access court records online is by visiting a different website. A court case aggregator, CourtCaseFinder, may be able to access the DeKalb County court records residents need. The platform can pull records from across Tennessee and nationwide to help people locate court records, such as probate records, divorces, and criminal cases, without going to the courthouse.

In-Person Requests

Sometimes residents need to access specific court records they can't find online. For example, people may need certified copies of court records for another court case, a financial institution, or a government agency. Only court clerks can complete a certified court records request. Court clerks can also allow residents to view documents related to court cases, as well as archived court case records. Court clerks can also help residents with questions about court procedures or court documents.

Archived Records

Once a court case's journey through the court system is complete, the DeKalb County courts no longer need it, and it is considered archived. People who need access to archived court records should first stop by the DeKalb County Courthouse to find out the specific location of the archived court records. Courthouses often keep court records for a specific period, after which they may be moved offsite. The State of Tennessee also has a State Archives in Nashville that holds court records dating to the 1830s.

Overview of the DeKalb County Court System

Tennessee's unified court system is led by the Tennessee Supreme Court, the court of last resort for all appeals. The Supreme Court has three locations based on the state's Grand Divisions: Knoxville (Eastern), Nashville (Middle), and Jackson (Western). The justices rotate between the courthouses to hear cases. Tennessee is the only state to codify its Grand Divisions into jurisdictional areas in its courts and constitution. Appeals to the Tennessee Supreme Court come from the Tennessee Court of Appeals, which is split into two separate courts: one for civil appeals and one for criminal appeals. Each Grand Division has one civil and one criminal appeals court.

DeKalb has a Circuit Court, which serves as the county's highest trial court. It is part of the 13th Judicial District, along with Clay, Cumberland, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties. Some counties have a divided circuit court, with separate circuit courts for civil and criminal cases, but DeKalb has one Circuit Court. The county also has a Chancery Court, where outcomes are not monetary damages but instead changes in law or procedure. The lowest trial court countywide is the General Sessions Court, which hears misdemeanor cases and civil cases under $25,000 in damages, as well as juvenile delinquency and dependency cases. DeKalb County also has two Municipal Courts, one in Alexandria and the other in Smithville, that hear traffic and ordinance violations within city limits.

Types of Courts in DeKalb County, Tennessee

Circuit Court

The Circuit Court in DeKalb County handles major civil and criminal cases, and the Circuit Court Clerk manages all records. Although the 13th Circuit Court covers several counties, DeKalb County cases are heard only in the DeKalb County Circuit Court.

Jurisdiction:

• All civil lawsuits over $25,000, including personal injury, contract disputes, and foreclosures
• Family law cases, such as divorce
• Felony cases
• Misdemeanor jury trials
• Land cases, such as eminent domain and land condemnation

Primary Location: DeKalb County Courthouse, Smithville

Chancery Court

DeKalb County's Chancery Court is reserved for civil cases that do not seek monetary damages but instead seek a policy change, a contract change, or a change in a judge's orders. The DeKalb County Chancery Court also hears divorce, probate, and guardianship or conservatorship cases. The Chancery Court is the only court in DeKalb County that does not use the Circuit Court Clerk. Instead, it uses its own Chancery Clerk and Master for record-keeping.

Jurisdiction:

• Adoptions and termination of parental rights
• Property location and title disputes
• Contract disputes between businesses
• Divorces, property division, child custody and support
• Wills, trusts, and estates
• Conservatorships and guardianships for adults who are mentally ill or incapacitated

Primary Location: DeKalb County Courthouse, Smithville

General Sessions Court

The General Sessions Court in DeKalb County hears a variety of cases, as it is the court people in the county interact with most. A judge, not a jury, hears General Sessions Court trials; it hears misdemeanor cases, all small claims cases, civil cases with damages under $25,000, eviction cases, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Jurisdiction:

• All civil cases under $25,000
• Evictions and landlord-tenant disputes
• Preliminary hearings for felony trials, including bond hearings
• Small claims cases ($15,000-$25,000, depending on county)
• Traffic and ordinance violations occurring in DeKalb County (not the cities of Smithville or Alexandria)
• Wildlife ordinance violations

Primary Location: DeKalb County Courthouse, Smithville

Juvenile Court

The Juvenile Court in DeKalb County hears juvenile delinquency and juvenile dependency cases. If a 16-year-old commits a violent crime, it must be moved to adult court, but a hearing must be held first in Juvenile Court.

Jurisdiction:

• Juvenile criminal cases, including traffic violations (juvenile delinquency)
• Hearings to determine whether a juvenile case can be moved to adult court
• Juvenile neglect and abuse cases (juvenile dependency)

Primary Location: DeKalb County Courthouse, Smithville

Municipal Court

DeKalb County has two Municipal Courts, called City Courts in Tennessee: one in Alexandria, and the other in Smithville. Both Municipal Courts hear traffic citations and ordinance violations that occur within the city limits. Municipal Court has no jury trials; a judge hears the cases and renders a verdict.

Jurisdiction:

• City traffic violations, such as speeding or failure to yield
• City ordinance violations, such as public intoxication, waste violations, or noise violations

Primary Location: City Halls in Alexandria and Smithville

How to File a Case in DeKalb County

When DeKalb County residents need to file a case in court, it helps to know the steps to take. Figuring out what paperwork you need before you file can save residents time and money, because an improperly filed case may be delayed or dismissed, which means more time and additional filing fees. Here are the steps to file a case in DeKalb County.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

The first step to filing a correct case in the county is determining where to file. The Circuit Court handles civil cases seeking $25,000 or more in damages. The Chancery Court handles family law, probate law cases, and cases asking for a ruling rather than monetary damages. The General Sessions Court hears small claims cases, civil cases under $25,000, evictions, and landlord-tenant disputes. Citizens won't need to file in a City Court because those courts hear only criminal, not civil, matters. When people have questions about where to file, they can ask the appropriate court clerk.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

Tennessee makes all state court forms available on the Tennessee Courts website. If citizens have trouble finding them, they can also be located on Justice For All TN's website. All the court forms needed to file a civil lawsuit are always available at the Clerk of Courts offices at the DeKalb County Courthouse. Court clerks can help residents fill out the forms if needed.

Step 3: File the Case

Tennessee is one of the few states without an online filing system for citizens to file court cases. Instead, the state leaves online filing requirements to the counties. The state is gradually rolling out an online case filing system, but it is currently only available in the counties with the largest populations. Because DeKalb County is small, the county has no online filing system. Residents must file in person at the DeKalb County Courthouse. They can also file by mail. Be sure to file the paperwork with the appropriate court clerk.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

Every case has filing fees attached. The county determines filing fees. Residents can call the courthouse ahead of time to determine the cost of filing the court case. If filing in person, DeKalb County accepts cash, money orders, or cashier's checks for filing fees. If filing by mail, include the fees in a cashier's check or money order. Tennessee allows people to file for a filing fee waiver, but they must prove financial need.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

Once the paperwork is complete, the other party in the lawsuit must be informed that they are being sued. Tennessee allows petitioners to hire a sheriff's deputy, a process server, or have an adult who is not part of the lawsuit serve the paperwork in person or by mail. No matter how the paperwork is served, the petitioner must then file proof of service with the appropriate court clerk.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

Litigants who have filed a civil suit need to keep track of their case in case additional paperwork is needed, the court calendar changes, or a hearing is scheduled. People can monitor their cases by calling, requesting an update by mail, or by visiting the appropriate court clerk in person.

DeKalb County Courthouse Directory

Legal and Self-Help Resources

No matter how simple the case is or the legal need is, Tennessee's legal system can be confusing. Many residents need help understanding the court system or navigating it. Here are some resources that DeKalb County residents may find helpful.

• Tennessee residents can find help via the Tennessee Courts Access to Justice Commission. On the website, residents can get information on civil court proceedings, especially with family law matters such as visitation rights and custody. The website also offers self-help videos and resources.
• Residents who need free legal representation can request help from the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. The Legal Aid Society can provide legal help for civil litigation, including family law cases, debt collection, evictions, and probate cases.

FAQs

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