Criminal records of Shelby County, Tennessee, are available through several channels. ShelbyCourt.us allows for quick access to publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, the official county court portals, the sheriff's office, and the court clerk's office provide access to records — online, in person, or by mail. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Shelby
There are several ways to search for criminal records. Here are the main ones:
Online Search
- ShelbyCourt.us — start here if you need to find publicly available information about a criminal case in the county. Enter the person's name or case number.
- Criminal Court Portal (CJS) — Shelby County Criminal Court uses the CJS portal. You need to register and log in, then use the Smart Search tool to find cases.
- CourtConnect (Circuit Court) — through the CourtConnect system of the Circuit Court Clerk's office, you can search for county court cases by party name or case number.
- Tennessee Felony Offender Information (FOIL) — the state database contains information about individuals convicted of felonies and placed under the supervision of the Tennessee Department of Correction. The search is free.
- SCDC Inmate Records — on the Shelby County Division of Corrections page, you can check the current status of an inmate (incarcerated, parole, probation).
In-Person Visit
The Criminal Court Clerk's office is located in downtown Memphis. Public terminals for case searches are available there. Bring identification — the clerk may request it to issue copies.
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk
Mail Request
A written request for criminal records can be sent to the Criminal Court Clerk's office or you can use the public records request form of Shelby County. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name (first and last name)
- Date of birth — preferred but not always necessary
- Case number — the most accurate way to search
Search Shelby Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the quickest way to a specific record. In Tennessee, the format of a criminal case number typically includes several elements:
- Year — a two-digit number indicating the year the case was opened
- Case type code — a letter designation indicating jurisdiction or category (e.g., CR for criminal cases in Criminal Court)
- Sequential number — a unique numerical identifier for the case within the year
Example: 23-CR-12345 would indicate a criminal case opened in 2023 with a sequential number of 12345. The exact format may vary slightly depending on the court — Criminal Court, Circuit Court, or General Sessions Court have their own numbering series.
If you have the case number, enter it into the CJS criminal court portal or CourtConnect for the county court. This provides an exact match without the risk of confusion with namesakes.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Shelby
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) under which the charge is brought |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the charges during the case — the new formulation replaces the previous one |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — the case is fully completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case in the county:
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where the charges are read to the defendant
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial — parties discuss evidence and possible agreements
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with probation or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after case review |
| Dismissed | Case closed by the prosecutor or court without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue further prosecution |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by the court or jury |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Shelby
Certified copies of criminal records differ from regular online viewing: they have an official stamp and the clerk's signature, confirming their authenticity.
Where to Apply
For Criminal Court cases, requests are handled by the Criminal Court Clerk's office. For Circuit Court cases, the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk
Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office with a photo ID. The clerk will find the case and prepare a certified copy.
- By Mail — send a written request including the name, date of birth, case number (if known), a copy of ID, and payment in the form of a money order or cashier's check.
- Through the Public Records Form — Shelby County has an official public records request form that can be downloaded and filled out.
State-Level Criminal History Check
For a complete criminal history (not just cases from one court), contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). TBI processes requests for background checks, including fingerprinting. This is a separate procedure from county-level requests.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Shelby
The cost depends on the type of request and the institution. Below are approximate fees charged at the county and state levels.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of Court Document (per page) | $0.50 | Standard rate according to T.C.A. § 8-21-401 |
| Certification | $5.00–$6.00 | In addition to the cost of copies |
| TBI Criminal History Check (without fingerprints) | $29.00 | Submitted through TBI; price may vary |
| TBI Check with Fingerprints | $42.00+ | Includes FBI processing if a federal check is required |
Processing Times
- In-Person Request at Clerk's Office — copies are usually issued the same day or within a few business days, depending on workload
- Mail Request — 5 to 15 business days
- TBI Check — 3 to 10 business days for electronic requests; mail requests may take longer
Payment of fines and court fees for county criminal cases can be made through the payit901 system. Check current fee amounts directly with the clerk's office — rates are periodically reviewed.