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.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records searches in Shelby County may return information related to arrests, charges, court dispositions, sentencing, and incarceration history, though the completeness and currency of any record depends on the originating agency and the nature of the case.
Relevant record categories that may be available include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Felony and misdemeanor court case filings
- Conviction and sentencing records
- Jail and inmate records
- Active and historical warrants
- Sex offender registration entries
- Protective orders
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels through which members of the public may obtain criminal records in Shelby County.
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, where public access terminals are available during business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where known, 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
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
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. The Sheriff's Office also publishes a current inmate search tool on its official website.
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 members of the public to search criminal case records statewide, including Shelby County. Users may search by full name, case number, or date of birth. The portal reflects case information as entered by the clerk and may not include sealed, expunged, or juvenile records.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) maintains the official statewide criminal history repository. Members of the public may submit a name-based or fingerprint-based background check request through the TBI. Fingerprint-based checks are required for employment and licensing purposes and carry a processing fee. Name-based public background checks are available through the TBI Criminal History Records portal.
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 Shelby County Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Written requests should include the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, approximate dates of any known incidents, and the requestor's contact information. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503, public agencies are required to respond to public records requests promptly and no later than seven business days from receipt.
What Is Shelby County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Shelby County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Tennessee law, a criminal record may encompass arrests, charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing, probation or parole status, and incarceration history.
The distinction between record types is significant for legal and practical purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt or a finding of conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal judicial determination of guilt.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification of criminal offense under Tennessee law and carry potential sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are reflected in the criminal record.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are treated separately under Tennessee law and are not subject to the same public access provisions as adult records. Juvenile records are sealed by operation of law in most circumstances.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest and are maintained as current records. Historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Shelby County include the Shelby County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Shelby County Criminal Court and General Sessions Court (court case files and dispositions), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments such as the Memphis Police Department.
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through the criminal justice system. Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101 governs the expungement and destruction of criminal records in Tennessee and defines the scope of what constitutes an official criminal history record.
Are Criminal Records Public In Shelby County
Criminal records in Shelby County are public records 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. As stated in the statute, "all state, county and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of Tennessee."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, sentencing information, and booking records are accessible to the public under this framework. The following categories of records are subject to restricted or limited access:
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Records subject to active judicial sealing orders
- Ongoing criminal investigation files
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Mental health and medical records associated with criminal proceedings
Federal criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Tennessee's open records law. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office publishes guidance on the application of the Tennessee Public Records Act to criminal and court records.
How To Find Criminal Records in Shelby County Online
Official County Resources
The Shelby County government and its affiliated courts maintain several online portals through which members of the public may search criminal records:
- Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Case Search: Provides access to criminal court case filings, dispositions, and scheduling information.
- Shelby County Inmate Search: Maintained by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office; reflects current jail population and recent bookings.
- Memphis & Shelby County Court Records: The county's official portal links to multiple court and law enforcement databases.
Each portal requires users to enter a full or partial name, case number, or booking number. Registration is not required for basic public searches on most county portals.
State-Level Resources
- Tennessee Court Case Search: The statewide portal operated by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts allows searches across all Tennessee counties, including Shelby County.
- TBI Criminal History Records: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's portal provides name-based and fingerprint-based background check services.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations.
- Case number searches return the most precise results and eliminate false matches.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as records may be held by different agencies depending on the originating jurisdiction.
- Understand that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches.
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public-facing online portals.
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court proceeding or booking. Historical records predating the digitization of court files may require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
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. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506, agencies may charge fees for copies but may not charge for the act of inspection itself. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk's office and arrest records at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office at no cost.
2. Free Online Databases
The following portals provide free public access to criminal record information:
- Tennessee Court Case Search — free case lookup statewide
- Shelby County Inmate Search — free current jail roster
- Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk online portal — free case status and disposition lookup
3. Sheriff's Logs
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office publishes daily arrest and booking reports, which are available to the public at no charge through the Sheriff's Office website and in person at the facility.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.00–$5.00 per page (varies by document) |
| Official TBI name-based background check | $29.00 (current TBI fee) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $29.00 + fingerprinting service fee |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Variable |
Fee schedules are subject to change and are set by the relevant agency or by statute. Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-506 governs the fees that public agencies may charge for copies of public records and provides that fees shall not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
What's Included in a Shelby County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Shelby County criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), mugshot photograph, last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and, where applicable, an FBI identification number.
Arrest Information
Arrest records reflect the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, the court and jurisdiction in which the case was filed, the filing date, the specific charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing information (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
A complete criminal record may also include active or historical warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status (searchable through the TBI Sex Offender Registry), DUI or DWI entries, and pending charges.
NOT Included in a Public Criminal Record
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Criminal records from other states
- Federal criminal records
- Records from completed pretrial diversion programs (upon successful completion)
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal record may submit a correction request to the originating agency or to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Inaccurate records can affect employment, housing, and licensing outcomes, and individuals have a legal interest in ensuring their records are complete and accurate.
How Long Does Shelby County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Tennessee's records retention requirements for criminal records are governed by the Tennessee Public Records Commission and the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Retention schedules establish minimum periods for which agencies must maintain records before destruction is authorized.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by courts and the TBI criminal history repository.
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; the TBI retains conviction records indefinitely.
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum period; subject to expungement under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101 upon petition.
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Records of the proceedings are retained permanently by the court and reflect the disposition; expungement may be available.
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines are governed by juvenile court rules and Tennessee statute.
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the case.
Agency Differences
- County courts: Retain criminal case files permanently pursuant to Tennessee court records retention rules.
- Sheriff's Office and jail: Booking and arrest records are retained according to the county's records retention schedule, which may differ from court retention periods.
- TBI State Repository: Retains conviction records permanently; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation serves as the authoritative statewide repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digitization, but the electronic copy is preserved in the agency's records management system.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing removes a record from public access but preserves it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement is a legal process by which a court orders the removal of a criminal record from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-32-101, eligible individuals may petition for expungement of qualifying arrests, dismissed charges, and certain convictions. Expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for specified purposes even after expungement is granted.
Old Records Access
Records predating digital systems may require special requests to the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk or the Tennessee State Library and Archives. Some historical records are held in physical archives and are not accessible through online portals.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal records are not subject to Tennessee's open records law.
Practical Implications
Felony convictions appear on background checks indefinitely under Tennessee law. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are subject to a seven-year reporting limitation for most non-conviction records, though convictions may be reported without a time limit. Professional licensing boards in Tennessee may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. Even where a county agency has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to a valid court order.