Shelby County Criminal Records
What Is Shelby County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Shelby County, Tennessee, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies across the county and state, each responsible for a distinct segment of the criminal justice process.
Arrest records document the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and do not indicate guilt or conviction. Conviction records, by contrast, reflect a formal finding of guilt following a plea or trial. Within the court system, offenses are classified as felonies (more serious crimes carrying potential sentences of more than one year) or misdemeanors (lesser offenses typically resulting in fines or shorter jail terms). Adult records are generally accessible to the public, while juvenile records are sealed by operation of law and are not available for public inspection except under specific court-ordered circumstances.
Active warrants represent current, unserved judicial orders for arrest, whereas historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have already been processed through the system.
The principal agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Shelby County include:
- Shelby County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking data, and jail rosters
- Shelby County Criminal Court — maintains case files, pleas, trial records, and sentencing information
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) — maintains the statewide criminal history repository
- Memphis Police Department — maintains arrest records originating from city law enforcement activity
Criminal records typically contain information related to charges filed, arraignments, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and conditions of probation or parole. Members of the public seeking case-level information may access the Shelby County Criminal Court portal for case searches and dispositions. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, criminal history records are defined and governed with respect to their maintenance, access, and expungement eligibility.
Are Criminal Records Public In Shelby County
Criminal records in Shelby County are presumptively public under Tennessee's open records law. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee unless otherwise provided by law. This statute establishes that public records shall be made available for inspection and copying during normal business hours.
The following categories of records are generally available to the public:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Arrest logs and booking records
- Court dockets and case filings
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
- Sex offender registration information
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records — sealed pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153, which prohibits public disclosure of records relating to juveniles adjudicated delinquent
- Ongoing criminal investigations — withheld to protect investigative integrity
- Expunged records — legally destroyed or removed from public access upon court order
- Sealed court records — restricted by judicial order in specific cases
- Confidential informant information — protected under law enforcement privilege
Members of the public may inspect adult conviction records, court proceedings, and arrest histories without demonstrating a specific need or purpose, consistent with Tennessee's open records framework.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Shelby County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain criminal records in Shelby County through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the Record Type Determine whether the record sought is an arrest record, a court case file, a conviction history, or a statewide criminal background check, as each is maintained by a different agency.
Step 2 — Search Online Portals First Use the Shelby County Criminal Justice System (CJS) portal or the TBI's online background check system to conduct an initial search before visiting an office in person.
Step 3 — Submit a Public Records Request For records not available online, submit a written public records request to the appropriate custodian agency. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or via email where accepted.
Step 4 — Visit the Appropriate Office For certified copies, sealed record petitions, or records not available digitally, visit the relevant office during public counter hours.
Step 5 — Pay Applicable Fees Copying fees may apply. Under Tennessee law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication but may not charge for inspection of records.
Step 6 — Request a TBI Background Check For a comprehensive statewide criminal history, submit a request to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation through its Tennessee Felony Offender Information portal or by submitting fingerprint-based requests for certified background checks.
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk 140 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-3600 Shelby County Criminal Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Shelby County Sheriff's Office 201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 222-4700 Shelby County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation 901 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216 (615) 744-4000 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
How To Find Criminal Records in Shelby County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Shelby County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit. Each portal contains distinct categories of information.
Shelby County CJS Portal (Criminal Justice System) The Shelby County CJS portal allows members of the public to search for case information using the Smart Search tool. Users are required to register and sign in before accessing case details. The portal contains court case numbers, charge information, hearing dates, and case dispositions for matters filed in Shelby County Criminal Court. Access is available at the Shelby County Criminal Court page.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office — Inmate Search The Shelby County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search tool that provides current jail roster information, including booking dates, charges, and bond amounts for individuals currently in custody. This tool does not require registration and is available at no cost.
Tennessee Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) The TBI's FOIL portal provides free public access to information on individuals convicted of felony offenses in Tennessee. Users may search by name and date of birth.
Tennessee Sex Offender Registry The TBI maintains the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, which is publicly searchable by name, county, or zip code and contains registration details, photographs, and offense information.
Note on Online vs. In-Person Records Not all records are available through online portals. Certified copies of court documents, expungement petitions, and records predating digital filing systems may require an in-person visit to the Criminal Court Clerk's office.
Can You Search Shelby County Criminal Records for Free?
Tennessee law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, custodians of public records are required to permit inspection of records during normal business hours without imposing a fee for the act of inspection itself. Fees may only be assessed for duplication or for the cost of producing records in a specific format.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Shelby County CJS Portal — free case search following free registration; provides case numbers, charges, and dispositions
- Shelby County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — free, no registration required; provides current jail roster and booking information
- TBI FOIL Portal — free public search of felony conviction records statewide
- Tennessee Sex Offender Registry — free public search with no registration required
- In-person inspection at the Criminal Court Clerk's office — free during public counter hours
Fees are assessed for printed or certified copies of court documents. At present, the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk charges a per-page fee for photocopies and an additional certification fee for official certified copies. Members of the public who require only visual inspection of a record are not subject to copying charges.
What's Included in a Shelby County Criminal Record?
A complete criminal record in Shelby County may contain several categories of information, depending on the stage of the criminal justice process reached and the agency maintaining the record.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI Identification Number (where applicable)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Memphis Police Department, or other)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
- Jail facility where held
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges and applicable statutes (felony class or misdemeanor class)
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere)
- Attorney of record (defense and prosecution)
- Hearing and trial dates
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details (incarceration length, fines, restitution, community service)
- Conditions of probation or parole
- Appeals filed and outcomes
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI notations
- Traffic violations processed through criminal court
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
How Long Does Shelby County Keep Criminal Records?
Shelby County retains criminal records in accordance with the Tennessee Public Records Commission's official records retention schedules and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and maintaining agency.
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony conviction records | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor conviction records | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | 10 years (subject to expungement eligibility) |
| Jail booking records | 5–10 years depending on offense class |
| Juvenile records (sealed) | Until subject reaches age 23, then eligible for destruction |
| Court case files (felony) | Permanent |
| Court case files (misdemeanor) | 10 years after final disposition |
| Expunged records | Destroyed or returned to petitioner upon court order |
Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, individuals who meet eligibility criteria may petition for expungement of certain arrest and conviction records, after which the custodian agency is required to destroy or return all records associated with the expunged offense. The Tennessee Public Records Commission publishes the official General Records Retention Schedule applicable to county government agencies, which governs minimum retention periods for all categories of public records maintained at the county level.