Bradley County Public Records /Bradley County Court Records

Bradley County Court Records

What Is Bradley County Court Records

Court records in Bradley County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, sentencing records, and any other materials filed with or produced by a court of law. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records, such as property records maintained by the Register of Deeds or vital records held by the Tennessee Department of Health.

The following courts in Bradley County maintain official court records:

Circuit Court – handles major civil and criminal matters
Criminal Court – presides over felony criminal cases
General Sessions Court – handles misdemeanors, small claims, and preliminary hearings
Juvenile Court – handles matters involving minors
Probate Court – oversees estates, guardianships, and conservatorships
Municipal/City Courts – handle local ordinance violations and traffic matters

Records maintained by these courts cover civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all public records are presumed open for inspection unless a specific exemption applies. The Bradley County court system operates under the jurisdiction of the Tenth Judicial District of Tennessee.

Bradley County Circuit and Criminal Court Clerk 155 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-7226 Bradley County Court Clerk

Are Court Records Public In Bradley County

Court records in Bradley County are presumed open to the public under Tennessee law. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state and local government records are public records and must be made available for inspection and copying upon request, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

The following categories of records are generally available to members of the public:

Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Judgments and court orders
Docket sheets and hearing schedules
Sentencing records in criminal matters
Probate filings, including wills admitted to record

It is important to note the distinction between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee are governed by federal law and accessed through the federal PACER system, not through Bradley County's local court offices. State court records, by contrast, are governed by Tennessee's open records statutes and Tennessee Supreme Court rules on public access. Certain records are restricted by law, including juvenile court records, adoption records, mental health commitment records, and records sealed by court order.

How To Find Court Records in Bradley County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Bradley County may access them through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of case and the court in which it was filed.

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Bradley County Court Clerk's office during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of court records. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating case files by party name, case number, or filing date.

Written Requests: Written requests for certified copies or specific documents may be submitted by mail or in person. Requests should include the full name of the parties involved, the approximate filing date, and the case number if known.

Online Access: Tennessee's statewide court portal provides online access to certain case information. Members of the public may search available records through the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts online systems.

Fees: Copying fees are established by Tennessee statute. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, agencies may charge a reasonable fee for copies of public records, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction.

Bradley County Court Clerk 155 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-7226 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Bradley County Court Clerk

How To Look Up Court Records in Bradley County Online?

Several online portals currently provide access to Bradley County court records, depending on the court type and nature of the case.

Tennessee Court Case Information (CCI) Portal: The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the Court Case Information portal, which provides public access to case information from General Sessions, Circuit, and Criminal Courts across the state, including Bradley County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name.

Steps to search:

Navigate to the Tennessee Court Case Information portal at the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts website
Select "Bradley County" from the county dropdown menu
Choose the court type (Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions)
Enter the party name or case number
Review the case summary, docket entries, and hearing dates displayed

Federal Cases – PACER: Cases filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee are accessible through the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. PACER requires user registration and charges per-page fees for document retrieval.

Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts 511 Union Street, Suite 600, Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 741-2687 Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts

How To Search Bradley County Court Records for Free?

Tennessee law currently guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public records, including court records, free of charge. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, any person may inspect public records during regular business hours at no cost. Fees may only be assessed for the physical reproduction of records, not for inspection alone.

The following options are available for free record searches:

In-person inspection at the Bradley County Court Clerk's office, where members of the public may review case files at no charge during business hours
Tennessee Court Case Information (CCI) portal, which provides free online access to case summaries, docket entries, and hearing information for cases in Bradley County courts
General Sessions Court dockets, which are publicly posted and accessible without charge

Members of the public who wish to obtain certified copies or printed documents will be subject to the statutory copying fees established under Tennessee law. Online searches through the CCI portal do not require registration or payment for basic case information.

Bradley County General Sessions Court 155 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-7226 Bradley County General Sessions Court

What's Included in a Bradley County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:

Civil Case Records:

Complaint or petition initiating the action
Summons and proof of service
Defendant's answer and counterclaims
Motions and supporting memoranda
Court orders and rulings
Final judgment or decree
Appeal notices

Criminal Case Records:

Arrest warrant or indictment
Charging documents (information or presentment)
Bail and bond records
Plea agreements
Trial transcripts
Sentencing orders
Probation or supervision records (where public)

Probate Records:

Petitions for probate of will
Inventory of estate assets
Letters testamentary or letters of administration
Final accounting and distribution orders

Family Court Records:

Divorce petitions and decrees
Child custody and support orders
Adoption records (generally sealed)
Domestic violence protective orders

Traffic and Misdemeanor Records:

Citation information
Disposition and fine records
License suspension orders

How Long Does Bradley County Keep Court Records?

Bradley County courts retain records in accordance with the Tennessee State Library and Archives records retention schedules and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and court.

Current retention periods for common record types include:

Permanent retention: Judgments, final orders, decrees, and case files for felony criminal matters; probate records; civil judgment dockets
10 years: General civil case files following final disposition
5 years: Misdemeanor case files following final disposition
Until age of majority plus applicable period: Juvenile court records, subject to confidentiality restrictions
Permanent: Court minutes and official docket books

The Tennessee State Library and Archives establishes records retention schedules for all county government offices, including court clerks, under the authority of Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-404. Courts are required to maintain records in accordance with these schedules and may not destroy records without proper authorization.

Tennessee State Library and Archives 403 Seventh Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 741-2764 Tennessee State Library and Archives

Types of Courts In Bradley County

Bradley County's court system operates within a hierarchical structure that mirrors Tennessee's statewide judicial organization. The hierarchy proceeds from Municipal/Magistrate Courts at the local level, through Circuit and Criminal Courts, to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and ultimately to the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Bradley County Circuit Court (Tenth Judicial District) 155 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-7226 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Bradley County Circuit Court

Bradley County Criminal Court (Tenth Judicial District) 155 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-7226 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Bradley County Criminal Court

Bradley County General Sessions Court 155 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-7226 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Bradley County General Sessions Court

Bradley County Juvenile Court 155 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-7226 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Bradley County Juvenile Court

City of Cleveland Municipal Court 190 Church Street NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-4551 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM City of Cleveland Municipal Court

Tennessee Court of Appeals (Eastern Section) 540 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 634-6430 Tennessee Court of Appeals

Tennessee Supreme Court 100 Supreme Court Building, Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 741-2681 Tennessee Supreme Court

What Types of Cases Do Bradley County Courts Hear?

Each court within Bradley County's judicial system handles a defined category of cases based on subject matter jurisdiction and the severity of the legal matter.

Circuit Court:

Major civil disputes involving amounts exceeding General Sessions Court jurisdiction
Felony criminal appeals from General Sessions Court
Jury trials in civil and criminal matters
Domestic relations cases including divorce and child custody

Criminal Court:

Felony criminal prosecutions
Grand jury proceedings
Sentencing in serious criminal matters

General Sessions Court:

Civil claims up to $25,000
Misdemeanor criminal matters
Preliminary hearings in felony cases
Traffic violations
Small claims matters
Eviction (unlawful detainer) proceedings

Juvenile Court:

Delinquency matters involving minors
Dependency and neglect proceedings
Termination of parental rights
Adoption proceedings
Truancy matters

Municipal Court (City of Cleveland):

City ordinance violations
Local traffic infractions
Code enforcement matters

Probate matters in Bradley County are handled through the Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and the administration of trusts.

How To Find a Court Docket In Bradley County

A court docket is the official schedule of proceedings and chronological record of all filings and actions in a given case. Members of the public may access Bradley County court dockets through the following methods:

Online Search via Tennessee CCI Portal:

Visit the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts case information system
Select Bradley County and the applicable court
Enter the party name or case number to retrieve the docket sheet
Review all listed entries, including filing dates, document types, and scheduled hearings

In-Person at the Court Clerk's Office: Members of the public may request to view a docket sheet in person at the Bradley County Court Clerk's office. Staff can retrieve docket information by case number or party name.

Courtroom Postings: Daily hearing schedules and docket listings are posted at the Bradley County courthouse for matters scheduled that day.

Federal Court Dockets: For cases in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, dockets are accessible through the PACER system at pacer.gov.

Bradley County Court Clerk 155 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-7226 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Bradley County Court Clerk

Which Courts in Bradley County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court "not of record" is a court that does not maintain a verbatim transcript or official record of its proceedings in the same manner as courts of record. Decisions from courts not of record are generally subject to de novo review, meaning the case is reheard entirely by a higher court rather than reviewed on the existing record.

Under Tennessee law, General Sessions Courts are currently classified as courts not of record. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-15-101 et seq., General Sessions Courts have limited jurisdiction and do not maintain full verbatim transcripts of proceedings. Appeals from General Sessions Court are heard de novo in the Circuit Court, where a complete new trial is conducted.

Municipal courts in Tennessee, including the City of Cleveland Municipal Court, are also generally considered courts not of record. Appeals from municipal court decisions are typically heard de novo in the General Sessions or Circuit Court, depending on the nature of the offense.

Courts of record in Bradley County include the Circuit Court, Criminal Court, and Juvenile Court, all of which maintain official transcripts and records of proceedings. The distinction is significant for appellate purposes, as appeals from courts of record are reviewed on the existing record rather than retried from the beginning.