Washington County Booking Releases
Washington County booking releases are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Jonesborough, Tennessee. The county jail processes arrests from the Washington County Sheriff, Johnson City Police, Jonesborough Police, and other local agencies. You can look up booking releases online through the county's open records system or by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Washington County has roughly 133,000 residents, and the records division handles a high volume of public requests each year. Under the Tennessee Public Records Act, all booking release data is open to citizens of the state. This page explains every method for finding booking releases in Washington County.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Sheriff's Office Records
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is the primary keeper of booking releases in the county. All arrests made within Washington County flow through this office for processing. Staff at the jail log each booking with the person's name, charges, bond, and intake time. The system captures arrests from multiple agencies including the Johnson City Police Department, the Jonesborough Police, and the sheriff's own patrol units.
Washington County booking releases contain detailed information. Each record shows the person's full name, date of birth, age, race, sex, the date and time of intake, charges, bond amounts, and the arresting agency. The arresting officer's name is included too. If someone has been released from the Washington County Jail, the release date and time will appear on the record. Bond type and amount show for each individual charge. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503, all of this data is public record in Tennessee.
The Washington County Records Division is located at 100 E. Main Street in Jonesborough. You can reach them at 423-753-1644 during regular business hours.
Washington County's open records page has instructions for submitting public records requests.
This screenshot shows the Washington County open records page. It explains how to submit requests for booking releases and other public documents held by the county.
| Office |
Washington County Sheriff's Office 100 E. Main Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659 Phone: 423-753-1644 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Records Coordinator |
Washington County Attorney's Office P.O. Box 555, Jonesborough, TN 37659 Phone: 423-753-4864 Email: tmatthews@washingtoncountytn.org |
Washington County Arrest Records and Booking Data
Washington County arrest records are public documents under the Tennessee Public Records Act. The Records Division at the Sheriff's Office stores booking data going back years. Each arrest record contains biographical information, the date, time, and location of arrest, a description of the alleged offenses, the identity of the arresting agency and officer, booking details including mugshot photos, fingerprint data, and bail or bond information.
Above is the Washington County arrest records information page. It outlines what data is included in each booking release and how to get copies of records.
You can request Washington County arrest records in person, by mail, or through the county's online portal. In-person requests require valid Tennessee identification. Written requests sent by mail should include the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. A research fee of $15.00 per hour kicks in after the first hour of work.
Inspection is always free. Tennessee law says a records custodian cannot charge you just to look at public records during normal business hours.
How to Request Washington County Booking Releases
Washington County adopted its Public Records Policy in May 2016. The Washington County Attorney's Office serves as the Public Records Request Coordinator. All requests must be directed to that office to make sure they reach the right records custodian.
You need to submit your request in writing using the county's Form 1. Proof of Tennessee citizenship is required. If you do not provide valid ID, the request will be denied. You can mail your request to the Washington County Attorney's Office at P.O. Box 555, Jonesborough, TN 37659. The phone number is 423-753-4864. Email requests go to tmatthews@washingtoncountytn.org.
The county has seven business days to respond. They may provide the records right away, deny the request in writing, or tell you how much time they need. For large requests that involve a lot of records, there may be labor charges after the first hour of staff work.
Booking and Release Process in Washington County
When law enforcement makes an arrest in Washington County, the person goes to the county jail for booking. Staff take a mugshot, record fingerprints, and enter all charges into the system. Bond gets set based on the offense. This creates the booking release record that stays in the county's database.
People can get released in several ways. Posting bond is the most common. Cash bonds, surety bonds through a bail bondsman, and personal recognizance bonds all apply depending on the charge. Some people sit in jail until their court date if they cannot make bond. When release happens, the system updates with the date. Under T.C.A. § 40-32-101, certain records can be expunged if charges are dropped or the person gets acquitted. Once expunged, the booking release no longer shows up in public searches.
Juvenile booking releases are not public. T.C.A. § 37-1-154 keeps those records sealed in Tennessee.
Washington County Courts
Washington County is in the 1st Judicial District. Cases from booking releases move through the circuit court and general sessions court in Jonesborough. The Washington County Sessions Court is at 108 W. Jackson Boulevard, Jonesborough, TN 37659. You can reach them at 423-753-1602.
Felony arrests maintained in Washington County are kept permanently under Tennessee state retention schedules. Misdemeanor records also stay on file, though retention periods can vary. The court system tracks cases from the initial arrest through final disposition.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes Jonesborough, Johnson City, and several smaller communities. All arrests in the county get processed through the Washington County Jail. Local police departments bring arrestees to the same facility for booking.
Johnson City is the largest city in Washington County and generates a significant number of arrests that end up as Washington County booking releases. The Johnson City Police Department and Johnson City Detention Facility handle many of these cases before they reach the county system. Kingsport sits partly in neighboring Sullivan County but is linked here as a nearby major city.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several other Tennessee counties. If you need booking releases from a different area, check the county where the arrest happened. Each county runs its own jail.