When you're looking for someone who might have been picked up by the law in Blount County, it’s usually a race against the clock. You're probably stressed. Maybe a friend didn't come home, or a family member’s car is sitting on the side of Highway 411, and you're spiraling. You need the Blount County 24 hour arrest list, but here’s the kicker: there actually isn't one single "24-hour" PDF document that the Sheriff’s Office just hands out every morning.
It's way more fluid than that.
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Actually, depending on which Blount County you’re talking about—Tennessee or Alabama—the way you find this info changes completely. People get them mixed up all the time. Honestly, it’s a mess if you don't know where to click. In Tennessee, the Sheriff’s Office recently overhauled their entire digital system. In Alabama, the interface looks a bit more "old school," but it’s arguably easier to navigate if you just want a quick list of names.
The Tennessee Side: Navigating the BCSO Intake
If you're searching in Blount County, Tennessee (Maryville, Alcoa, Townsend), you aren’t looking for a "list" so much as an interactive database. Sheriff James Lee Berrong’s office launched a new website and mobile app fairly recently—early 2025, to be exact. They basically scrapped the clunky old way of doing things.
To find the most recent bookings, you have to use the Inmate Lookup System. It’s updated in real-time. This is where most people trip up: they wait for a daily update like it's a newspaper. Don't do that. The "intake" happens constantly. When someone is processed at the Justice Center on Lamar Alexander Parkway, they show up on the digital roster once their paperwork is cleared.
The Tennessee system allows you to sort by "Booking Date Descending." That is your secret weapon. By clicking that, the person arrested ten minutes ago (if they've been fully processed) pops to the top. It’s the closest thing to a real-time Blount County 24 hour arrest list you’ll find.
Why the "24 Hour" Search is Tricky
Arrests aren't instant uploads.
- The officer has to transport the individual.
- The intake paperwork has to be keyed in.
- Mugshots have to be uploaded.
Sometimes this takes two hours; sometimes it takes six. If you don't see a name immediately, it doesn't mean they weren't arrested. It might just mean the jail is slammed.
The Alabama Alternative: One-Click Rosters
Now, if you’re looking at Blount County, Alabama (Oneonta area), the Sheriff’s Office there uses a much more "list-style" format. They actually have a specific section for 48-Hour Releases and a Current Inmate Roster.
I’ve found that the Alabama site is actually closer to what people expect when they search for an arrest list. You can literally see a scrolling feed of mugshots, charges, and bond amounts. For example, as of today, you might see a list of bookings ranging from "Domestic Violence 3rd" to "Public Intoxication."
The Alabama roster typically shows:
- Full Name and Booking Number
- Age and Photo (the "Mugshot")
- The specific Statute violated
- Bond Amount (if set)
What the Charges Actually Mean
Let’s talk about the jargon. You’ll see stuff like "FTA" or "WTBO" on these lists. If you see FTA, it stands for Failure to Appear. This is huge in Blount County. A lot of the 24-hour arrest activity isn't for high-speed chases or bank robberies; it’s for people who missed a court date for a speeding ticket or a previous misdemeanor.
WTBO usually means "Waiting to be Out" or "Warrant to be Out," often indicating a transfer or a specific hold.
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If you see "No Bond," don't panic immediately. It doesn't always mean they're a dangerous criminal. In Tennessee and Alabama, certain charges—especially domestic violence or violations of probation—require a mandatory 12-hour or 24-hour "cooling off" period before a judge can even look at a bond.
Public Records vs. Privacy
Everything on the Blount County 24 hour arrest list is public record. It’s the law. In Alabama, Code 36-12-40 pretty much mandates that law enforcement shares this. Tennessee has similar Sunshine Laws.
But here is the nuanced part: just because someone is on the list doesn't mean they're guilty. We all know this, but when it’s your neighbor or a co-worker, people forget. These lists are snapshots of allegations.
Also, the list changes. People get bonded out. If you look at the "Current Inmate Roster" and don't see them, check the "Released" section. Both counties maintain a list of who left in the last 24 to 48 hours.
How to use the Mobile Apps
Honestly, the website's a bit clunky on a phone. If you're doing this on the go, both counties have pushed their apps hard.
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- Tennessee: Search "Blount County Sheriff TN" in the App Store.
- Alabama: Theirs is often integrated into a broader Sheriff’s app or a mobile-responsive site.
The Tennessee app is actually pretty slick. It sends push notifications for "Breaking News," which sometimes includes major arrest sweeps. If there's a big drug bust in Maryville, you’ll likely hear about it there before it hits the local news.
Common Misconceptions
- "The list is updated at midnight." Nope. It’s a live feed.
- "Juveniles are on the list." Never. You won't find anyone under 18 on these public portals due to privacy laws.
- "I can see why they were arrested in detail." You’ll see the charge, like "Possession of Schedule II." You won't see the police report or the narrative of what actually happened. For that, you’d need to file a formal records request with the Records Office.
Actionable Steps for Finding Someone
If you're currently trying to track someone down, do this in order:
- Identify the State: Double-check if you're looking for Maryville (TN) or Oneonta (AL).
- Check the Live Roster: Go to the official BCSO.com (for TN) or Blountalsheriff.org (for AL).
- Sort by Date: Use the "Descending" filter to see the most recent 24 hours.
- Look for "Released": If they aren't in "Current," check the "Released" or "48-Hour Release" list.
- Call the Jail: If the digital system is lagging, the Tennessee Justice Center can be reached at 865-273-5000. In Alabama, the non-emergency line is 205-625-4127.
Once you find them, the bond amount listed is your next hurdle. If it says "Bond: $0.00," it usually means the bond hasn't been set yet, or it's a "Release on Recognizance" (ROR) situation where they'll be let out once they sober up or sign a promise to appear.
Finding the Blount County 24 hour arrest list isn't about finding a single document. It’s about knowing how to filter a live database. Check the time stamps carefully, because "today" in jail-time often starts at the moment of the shift change, not necessarily at the stroke of midnight.