Shelby County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Shelby County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Shelby County may access publicly available information through ShelbyCountyRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Shelby County maintains criminal justice records across multiple agencies, and individuals may find information related to arrests, court filings, case dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and active warrants. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the offense, and whether the record has been sealed or expunged under applicable state law.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Jail inmate rosters and booking logs
- Active warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Probation and parole status (where publicly disclosed)
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public at present:
1. County Court Records The Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk maintains case files for all criminal proceedings heard in the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk
140 Adams Avenue, Room 124
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3600
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk
Public access terminals are available at the clerk's office for on-site case searches. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Sheriff's Office The Shelby County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information. The public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of records.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
201 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-4700
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts operates the Tennessee Court Case Search portal, which allows users to search criminal case records by name, case number, or filing date. Users should enter the subject's full legal name and refine results by county. The portal reflects case-level data and may not include all documents in the physical case file.
4. State Criminal History Repository The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serves as the state's official criminal history repository. Individuals and authorized entities may submit formal background check requests through the TBI's criminal history background check portal. Fingerprint-based checks are required for certain employment and licensing purposes. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, the standard fee for a name-based check is $29.00.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
901 R.S. Gass Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: (615) 744-4000
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
5. Written/Mail Requests Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk or the TBI by mail. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, public agencies are required to respond to public records requests promptly, with a response timeframe not to exceed seven business days for acknowledgment.
What Is Shelby County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In legal terms, a criminal record is created when a law enforcement agency formally documents an arrest or when a court files a criminal charge against an individual.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in the criminal record.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are sealed by operation of law under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Shelby County include:
- Shelby County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking logs
- Shelby County Criminal Court and General Sessions Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation — statewide criminal history repository
- Memphis Police Department and other local agencies — incident and arrest reports
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. The Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk maintains the official repository of court-level criminal records for the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Shelby County
Criminal records in Shelby County are public records under Tennessee 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. The statute provides that "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee."
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing orders, and records of court proceedings. Records that are restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Records subject to sealing orders issued by a court
- Ongoing investigative records where disclosure would compromise an investigation
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The Tennessee Attorney General has issued guidance affirming the public nature of court records while recognizing statutory exceptions. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal privacy frameworks and are not governed by Tennessee's open records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Shelby County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resources for Shelby County criminal records include:
- Tennessee Court Case Search — Provides case-level information for criminal proceedings statewide, including Shelby County. Users may search by full name or case number. The portal contains case status, charge information, and disposition data.
- Shelby County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — Provides current jail roster and booking information for individuals held in Shelby County custody.
- Shelby County Government Portal — Provides access to court clerk information and links to related criminal justice resources.
State-Level Resources
- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation operates the state's official criminal history background check system, accessible for authorized requests.
- The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the statewide court case search portal covering all Tennessee counties.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases.
- Case number searches yield the most precise results.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records.
- Be aware that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches.
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing databases.
Limitations
Online databases reflect data as updated by the originating agency and may lag behind real-time case activity. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for certified official background checks required for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings.
Can You Search Shelby County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection Tennessee law mandates that public records be available for personal inspection at no charge. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, custodians of public records may charge fees for copies but may not charge for inspection. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk's office at no cost. Copying fees apply to reproductions.
2. Free Online Databases The following resources are available at no cost:
- Tennessee Court Case Search — Free name and case number searches
- Shelby County Sheriff's Office inmate roster — Free online access to current booking information
- Tennessee Sex Offender Registry — Free public search through the TBI Sex Offender Registry
3. Sheriff's Logs Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office are available for public inspection as public records.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $0.15–$0.50 per page (plus certification fee) |
| Official TBI name-based background check | $29.00 |
| Fingerprint-based background check | Varies by purpose |
| Staff-assisted record searches | May incur labor fees |
| Expedited processing | Additional fees may apply |
Fee schedules are subject to change and are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, which authorizes reasonable fees for copies while prohibiting fees for inspection alone.
What's Included in a Shelby County Criminal Record
Identifying Information A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Categories Criminal records may also reflect active warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI adjudications, traffic violations prosecuted as criminal offenses, and pending charges.
Records NOT Included The following categories are excluded from publicly accessible criminal records:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed under Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-153)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records
- Records from completed pretrial diversion programs where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may petition the originating court or agency for correction. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation provides a formal process for challenging the accuracy of criminal history information maintained in the state repository.
How Long Does Shelby County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements Tennessee's public records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. The Tennessee Secretary of State publishes official retention schedules applicable to county courts and law enforcement agencies.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony conviction records | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor conviction records | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted; subject to expungement |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18; destruction timelines governed by § 37-1-153 |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences County courts retain criminal case files permanently under applicable retention rules. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records according to the state retention schedule. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement Destruction refers to the physical elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, results in the removal of eligible records from public access and, in certain circumstances, from law enforcement databases. Eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the applicant's criminal history. Even where county agencies destroy physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless a court order of expungement has been issued and served on all relevant agencies.
Federal Records Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county systems. Federal retention rules differ from Tennessee state requirements.
Practical Implications Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on criminal records permanently and appear on background checks. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of certain records to seven to ten years depending on the position sought. Professional licensing boards in Tennessee may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction.