Giles County

Giles County is located in south-central Tennessee, bordered by Alabama to the south. The county seat is Pulaski, a historic city situated approximately 75 miles south of Nashville. Established in 1809, Giles County was named after William Branch Giles, a U.S. Senator from Virginia. The county encompasses approximately 611 square miles and has a population of around 30,000 residents. Giles County is known for its rich Civil War history, agricultural heritage, and as the birthplace of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Giles County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of the county. It oversees the operation of the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office also provides community programs such as neighborhood watch initiatives and school resource officer programs to enhance public safety. The Sheriff's Office is committed to transparency and community engagement, often hosting public meetings and safety workshops.

Police Departments

In addition to the Giles County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in the county is provided by municipal police departments, including the Pulaski Police Department and the Elkton Police Department. These agencies are responsible for maintaining public safety within their respective city limits. They coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to law enforcement across the county.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Giles County Sheriff's Office, located at 200 Thomas Gatlin Drive in Pulaski, Tennessee, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office operates the Giles County Jail, which houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving sentences. To search for current inmates, citizens can contact the jail directly at (931) 363-3505 or visit the facility in person during business hours. Inmate information including booking date, charges, and bond amount is considered public record under Tennessee law.

• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written or verbal request to the Sheriff's Office or the appropriate police department.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the jail upon request, though some may require a formal public records request.
• Processing times for records requests vary, but agencies are required to respond promptly under state law.
• For records related to the Tennessee Highway Patrol or other state agencies, requests should be directed to those agencies separately.
• Fees for copies of records may apply according to the fee schedule established by Tennessee law.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Giles County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and sex offender registry information. The Giles County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records. Background checks can be conducted through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which provides comprehensive criminal history reports. The TBI offers an online portal for residents to request background checks, ensuring access to accurate and up-to-date information.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Giles County are maintained by the Giles County Sheriff's Office. These records include details such as the nature of the offense, date of arrest, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, either in person or through written requests. The Tennessee Public Records Act governs the accessibility of these records, ensuring transparency and public access to governmental records.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Giles County Jail, located in Pulaski, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Inmate lookup can be conducted through the Sheriff's Office, which provides information on current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance.

• The bond and bail process in Tennessee allows for the release of detainees upon payment of a set amount, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained from the jail's administrative office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Giles County are taken and retained by the Giles County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office. While some mugshots may be available online through third-party websites, official requests for mugshots should be directed to the Sheriff's Office. Tennessee does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can request corrections or updates to their records if inaccuracies are found.

Giles County's court system includes several distinct courts with different jurisdictions. The Giles County Circuit Court handles major civil cases (typically over $25,000), felony criminal cases, and appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Court is located in the Giles County Courthouse at 1 Public Square, Pulaski, TN 38478, and can be reached at (931) 363-5300. The Giles County Chancery Court handles equity matters, divorces, probate, estate administration, and guardianships.

• The General Sessions Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, preliminary hearings for felonies, civil cases up to $25,000, and serves as the county's juvenile court.
• Some court dockets and case information may be available online through the Tennessee state court system's website.
• Fees for copying court documents are established by state statute, typically ranging from $0.50 to $1.00 per page for standard copies, with certified copies costing additional fees.
• Case searches may incur a separate research fee.

Property and land records for Giles County are maintained by the Giles County Register of Deeds, located in the Giles County Courthouse at 1 Public Square, Pulaski, TN 38478. The office can be reached at (931) 363-1509. The Register of Deeds maintains and records all real property transactions including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, easements, right-of-way documents, and plat maps. These records are public and accessible under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503.

• While some Tennessee counties offer online property record searches, availability varies; contacting the Register's office directly will confirm current online access options.
• Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a statutory fee, typically $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
• Lien searches can be conducted through the Register of Deeds office to identify any outstanding judgments, mechanics liens, or tax liens against properties.

Vital records for Giles County, Tennessee, include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, though some records may be available through the Giles County Clerk's office. For birth certificates, applicants must be the subject of the record, a parent, legal guardian, or other authorized person as defined by Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-3-104.

• The current fee for a certified birth certificate is $15.00 for the first copy, with additional copies ordered at the same time costing less.
• Death certificates follow similar restrictions and fees.
• Processing times vary: in-person requests may be fulfilled the same day if records are available locally; mail requests typically take 2-4 weeks; online orders through VitalChek are expedited with additional fees.
• Couples must apply in person, provide valid photo identification, and pay the license fee.
• Applicants should be prepared to provide photo identification and specific information about the record being requested, including full names, dates, and locations of events.

Business and licensing records in Giles County are maintained at multiple levels of government. The Giles County Clerk's office, located at 1 Public Square, Pulaski, TN 38478, phone (931) 363-1584, handles certain local business filings including assumed name registrations (DBAs - Doing Business As) for businesses operating under a name different from the owner's legal name.

• This database is free and publicly accessible.
• The Giles County Chamber of Commerce, serving Pulaski and surrounding areas, provides resources for businesses and maintains information about the local business community.

Elections in Giles County, Tennessee, are administered by the Giles County Election Commission, located at the Giles County Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Pulaski, TN 38478. The Election Commission can be reached at (931) 363-5307. Voter registration in Tennessee is handled both at the county level and through the Tennessee Secretary of State's online voter registration system at GoVoteTN.gov. Tennessee residents must register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. To register, applicants must be U.S.

• Citizens can request these records from the Election Commission under the Tennessee Public Records Act.
• The Giles County Election Commission provides transparency by making election results available promptly after polls close, typically posted at the courthouse and provided to media outlets.

Giles County's economy is diverse, blending traditional agricultural roots with modern manufacturing and service sectors. Historically, agriculture has been a cornerstone, with the county known for cattle farming, crop production (including corn, soybeans, and hay), and particularly the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, which originated in Giles County. The median household income in Giles County is approximately $50,000 to $55,000, somewhat below the Tennessee state average.

• Economic development efforts focus on attracting new industries, supporting existing businesses, and leveraging the county's proximity to Interstate 65, which provides direct access to Nashville and Alabama markets.

Court Records: ⚠️ In-Person/Limited Online | Property: ⚠️ In-Person Primary | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person/State Online | Business: ✅ State Online Search | Elections: ✅ State Online Tools | Overall Score: 6/10 — Giles County provides traditional in-person access to most records, with state-level online systems supplementing local services for business and election information.

Explore public records for 7 cities and communities in Giles County, Tennessee.