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Washington County Court Records Lookup

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Washington County Court Records Lookup

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Washington County Courts, TN *

Washington County Courts, TN

Washington County residents live in Tennessee's oldest county, full of history and beauty in the far eastern corner of the state. They need access to court records and the ability to file cases in county courts. People use the county courts daily to file cases to resolve disputes, settle landlord or tenant issues, or pay traffic tickets. They need access to court records to determine whether to hire employees, rent to prospective tenants, or conduct research. Knowing how the court system works saves residents time and stress.

How to Access Washington County Court Records

How to Access Washington County Court Records

Online Access

Nearly all of the residents in Tennessee do not have online access to court records. While the state is moving toward a statewide case search system, Washington County currently offers an online case search for files from the last 10 years. However, some areas of the county have no online court searches, so if residents are unsure about jurisdiction, they may want to ask the appropriate Court Clerk.

Alternative Online Options

Because Tennessee does not have a statewide court system for online searches, residents may want to use an alternative source for records, such as CourtCaseFinder. This online platform is useful when residents want to search cases countywide and statewide. Even if case information is missing or incomplete, the aggregator can find the cases Washington County residents need.

In-Person Requests

Sometimes residents need to visit the George Jaynes Justice Center to access court records services. For example, if someone needs a certified copy of court records, the court clerk can make those copies that are sometimes needed for other courts, banks, or government agencies. Residents can also request to view documents from current court cases, as well as archived cases still at the courthouse. Court clerks are also great resources for court forms information and court procedures.

Archived Records

Because Washington County is Tennessee's oldest county, established during the Revolutionary War, the county's court records are nearly 250 years old. If residents are looking for archived court records, their first stop should be the Circuit Court Clerk, as many court records are still available within the Washington County Courthouse. Records may also be located at the Tennessee Archives in Nashville.

Overview of the Washington County Court System

Overview of the Washington County Court System

The Tennessee Supreme Court serves as the head of the Tennessee Judiciary and represents the court of last resort for all appeals. Unlike other states, the Tennessee Supreme Court has three locations based on Tennessee's Grand Divisions: Knoxville (Eastern), Nashville (Middle), and Jackson (Western). The Tennessee Court of Appeals is split into two courts: civil and criminal. Like the Supreme Court, each Grand Division has appellate courts.

In Washington County, the Circuit Court hears the major civil and criminal cases as part of the 1st Judicial District, with Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi Counties. The Chancery Court hears equity cases and shares a separate Court Clerk and Master with the Probate Court. The county also has a General Sessions Court to hear misdemeanor cases, traffic and ordinance violations, and smaller civil cases. Washington County has a separate Juvenile Court that hears nearly all cases involving juveniles. Two City Courts are located in Johnson City and Jonesborough.

Types of Courts in Washington County, Tennessee

Circuit Court

As part of the First District, the Circuit Court hears major civil and criminal cases in the county. Circuit Court judges rotate among courthouses in the Circuit, but all cases originating in Washington County are heard there.

Jurisdiction:

  • All felony cases
  • Misdemeanor cases where the defendant has asked for a jury trial
  • Family law cases, such as contested divorces
  • Any civil lawsuits over $25,000
  • Land title cases

Primary Location: George Jaynes Justice Center, Jonesborough

Chancery Court

Chancery Courts are called equity courts because they hear cases involving changes in rules, laws, or procedures rather than monetary damages. Chancery Court works in conjunction with the Probate Court. The Probate Court is presided over by the Court Clerk and Master, who keeps the records for both courts. Uncontested wills, trusts, and estates are filed in Probate Court. Contested filings must be heard in Chancery Court.

Jurisdiction:

  • Wills, trusts, and estates (contested and uncontested)
  • Mental health commitments
  • Adoptions and termination of parental rights
  • Divorces
  • Conservatorships and guardianships of mentally ill or incapacitated adults
  • Civil lawsuits, such as contract disputes or equity disputes

Primary Location: George Jaynes Justice Center, Jonesborough

General Sessions Court

General Sessions Courts are the workhorses for the county court system, because they hear more cases than any other court. Unlike the Circuit Court, General Sessions Court does not have jury trials. Instead, a judge hears all cases.

Jurisdiction:

  • Misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for felony cases
  • Evictions and landlord-tenant disputes
  • Small claims cases
  • All civil cases under $25,000

Primary Location: George Jaynes Justice Center, Jonesborough

Juvenile Court

The Juvenile Court in Washington County hears nearly all juvenile cases. Like the General Sessions Court, the Juvenile Court does not have juries. Instead, a judge hears all cases, and they are not open to the public.

Jurisdiction:

  • Juvenile delinquency cases (juveniles who commit crimes, or who are truant from school)
  • Juvenile dependency cases (neglect and abuse of juveniles)
  • Hearing to move juvenile violent felony cases to adult Circuit Court

Primary Location: George Jaynes Justice Center, Jonesborough

Municipal City Court

The City Courts in Tennessee hear ordinance violations that occur within city limits. A judge presides over these cases, but residents may also pay a fine in lieu of appearing in court. City Courts do not impose jail sentences.

Jurisdiction:

  • Traffic citations, such as speeding, running a red light or a stop sign, or illegal parking
  • City ordinance violations, such as public intoxication, illegal dumping, or noise complaints

Primary Location: Johnson City Municipal Center, Jonesborough City Hall

How to File a Case in Washington County

How to File a Case in Washington County

Filing a civil case in Washington County can be daunting. However, with these simple steps, you can file a civil case correctly.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

To begin the civil case filing process, residents must choose the correct court. Civil cases under $25,000 are filed in the General Sessions Court. Civil cases over $25,000 are filed in the Circuit Court. Chancery Court hears family law cases and equity cases, while Probate Court hears wills and estates cases. There's no need to file in City Courts, as they only hear cases brought by law enforcement, such as traffic citations.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

The next step in filing a civil case is to complete the required court paperwork. All the court forms Washington County residents need are available on the Tennessee Courts website. A nonprofit site, Justice For All TN, also provides the court forms and detailed instructions to guide residents through completing them. Filers can also ask the appropriate court clerk for assistance in filling out the forms correctly.

Step 3: File the Case

Washington County residents cannot file a court case online. They may file cases by mail or in person. To file by mail, residents must ensure they have all required court paperwork and documentation. Filing in person also requires complete court paperwork. Residents may want to call the court clerk ahead of time to make sure they have all required paperwork before filing.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

All court cases have filing fees, though the amounts differ depending on the size of the case. If someone files by mail, they must pay the appropriate court clerk with a cashier's check or money order. Residents who file in person must pay the court clerk with cash, card, money order, or cashier's check. If someone cannot afford filing fees, they can file for a fee waiver with the court, but they must prove financial hardship.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

Once a resident files a lawsuit, they must notify the defendant about the case. If a resident doesn't notify the defendant about a case, the case cannot proceed. In Washington County, defendants can be served by mail, an unrelated adult, a sheriff's deputy, or a process server. The court must be notified once service is complete.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

One of the easiest ways to keep a case moving through the court system is to keep checking on it. Residents can do that by calling or visiting the appropriate court clerk in person. People can also send an inquiry by mail asking for an update. Failing to monitor the case could delay it or even result in dismissal.

Washington County Courthouse Directory

George Jaynes Justice Center (Circuit Court, Chancery Court, Probate Court, General Sessions Court, Juvenile Court)

Jonesborough

Address: 108 W Jackson Blvd., Jonesborough, TN 37659

Phone: (423) 753-1747

Website: Washington County Courts

Municipal/City Courts

Johnson City Municipal Court

Address: 601 E. Main Street, Johnson City, TN 37601

Phone: (423) 434-6160

Jonesborough City Court

Address: 123 Boone Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659

Phone: (423) 753-1030

Legal and Self-Help Resources

Washington County residents may find it hard to find the legal resources they need to navigate the court system. Here are some resources that may help.

  • Legal Aid of East Tennessee has pro bono attorneys in its Johnson City office. The lawyers can help residents with evictions and foreclosures, family law cases (such as divorce, child support, or child custody), probate cases, debt, and benefits.
  • Washington County offers a free monthly legal clinic run by members of the Washington County Bar Association and Good Samaritan Ministries. Lawyers are on hand to offer legal advice and help with legal documents at no cost.

FAQs

Are court records public in Washington County?

Tennessee law requires that court records be public. However, the law has exceptions. Juvenile records are nearly always sealed, unless the juvenile commits a felony and the case is moved to adult court. Mental health commitments and guardianships are also sealed. A judge can order a record sealed at any time.

Where can I find eviction records?

Eviction records are located through the General Sessions Court in Washington County. People can look up court records through the court's online system. However, the number of court cases available is small, so residents may need to visit the courthouse to find the records they need.

When is it helpful to use a third-party records finder?

Although Washington County has a court case lookup platform, it is extremely limited, and much of the rest of the state is still not online. A third-party records finder, such as CourtCaseFinder, can help. The platform lets people look up court records statewide and at the county level, even when their information is incomplete.

How can I find archived court records?

Because Washington County is the oldest county in Tennessee, it has a rich history. A group of settlers formed the county in 1770 to defend against the English government. The county has a virtual treasure trove of court information. A resident's first stop should still be the George Jaynes Justice Center to ask the Court Clerks where archived court records are kept. Residents should also look at the Washington County Archives as well as the Tennessee Archives.

Other Counties in Tennessee

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