Shelby County Records
Find Court Resources in Shelby County
160 N. Main Street Memphis, TN 38103
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Court, Criminal, Marriage, Divorce, Property
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Find Court Resources in Shelby County
Court, Criminal, Marriage, Divorce, Property
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Shelby County is in the western portion of the State of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 929,744. Shelby County is the largest of the state’s 95 counties, and its county seat is Memphis. Memphis is a port on the Mississippi River and is the most populated city in Tennessee. During the antebellum era, Shelby County was the center of cotton plantations, and cotton continues as a commodity crop. Tennessee, however, has become more diversified.
The government in Shelby County has a single elected executive called the mayor and a thirteen-member legislative body called the County Commission.
Courthouse
The Courthouse in Shelby County is the state’s largest courthouse. The courthouse was prominent in the movie The Silence of the Lambs, and the building is where Dr. Hannibal Lecter escapes custody.
The Shelby County Courthouse is on Adams Avenue between North 2nd and North 3rd streets. It is neoclassic architecture with a long portico topped by a cornice supported by massive Ionic columns. Female statues grace the building representing Integrity, Courage, Mercy, Temperance, Prudence, and Learning.
The courthouse faces south and has three stories. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Memphis, and a square open courtyard is in the center of the building. The building was renovated in 1992 and is named the Judge D‘Army Bailey Courthouse.
County Clerk
The County Clerk is Wanda Halbert, and you can reach her at 150 Washington Avenue, Memphis, TN 383103, by phone at 901-222-3000. The Couty Clerk is elected to a four-year term, and the largest job is selling more than 650,000 vehicle license plates annually. The Clerk collects liquor by the drink taxes, issues notary public commissions, sells business licenses, swears in deputy sheriffs, issues marriage licenses, and manages online services.
Shelby County also employs a Clerk & Master. The Current Clerk & Master is Aaron Hall, and he is authorized to perform all the functions of a Master in Chancery unless restrained by the provisions of law. The clerk has no judicial function and is a judicial officer. The Clerk and Master is the administrative aide to the Chancery Court and aids in courtroom administration. The Clerk and Master oversees docket maintenance, records management, revenue management, maintenance of court minutes, official communication, and other court-associated duties.
The Clerk and Master is appointed for a six-year term by the chancellor of the county.
District Court
The Western District Court of Tennessee is located in Shelby County. The court’s mission is to facilitate the prompt and equitable administration of justice while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability.” The address of the District Court in Memphis is 167 N. Main Street Memphis, TN Odell Horton Federal Building phone 901-495-1200.
The District Court has jurisdiction over federal cases in 22 counties in the western part of Tennessee. District Court hears cases that involve the violation of a federal law like smuggling drugs into the country, bank robbery, fraud or theft from federally insured institutions, counterfeiting, or any criminal act toward the federal government. The court also manages disputes between citizens or companies of different states exceeding $75,000.
District courts are general trial courts of the federal court system. These courts have at least one U.S. district judge appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a life term. District courts handle trials within the federal court system, including civil and criminal cases. District Courts have limited jurisdiction, and they are only authorized to hear cases that involve federal statutes, interpretation of the Constitution, or cases that concern more than one state. Other cases are heard in state courts.
Courts in Shelby County, Tennessee
There are seven distinct courts in Shelby County. These courts are the Chancery Court, Circuit Court, Criminal Court, General Sessions Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, and Veterans Court.
The Chancery Court hears declaratory judgments, delinquent tax sales, divorces, enforcement of arbitration awards, Habeas corpus, Mandamus, Public nuisances, Removal of Public Officers, Replevins, usury, and Worker’s compensation. Chancery courts are still in a few states, including Tennessee. The issues managed by chancery courts are non-trial and serve as watchdogs in corporate cases and those involving civil rights, commercial litigation, guardianships, and trusts. They are courts of equity that exercise concurrent authority with circuit counts to specific actions.
Circuit Court is a court of general authority consisting of nine judges presiding over nine divisions. The court hears different civil cases, including:
The Criminal Court manages at least 100,000 cases a year. These cases are misdemeanors, preliminary hearings on felonies, traffic, and environmental cases. The general Session Court Clerk’s office is responsible for the record-keeping of six civil and nine criminal divisions in Shelby County, TN.
The General Sessions Court oversees civil and criminal cases. The court has authority over civil cases up to $25,000, forcible entry detainer actions, action to recover personal property, emergency mental conditions, denial petitions for handgun permits, and drug dealer eviction programs.
The Juvenile Court is responsible for assessment screening for juveniles detained for serious offenses, and the court evaluates referrals for youth affected by mental health issues and substance abuse. The juvenile Court has eight courtrooms where juvenile and child support cases are heard.
The Probate Court oversees conservatorships, correction to birth certificates, guardianships, judicial hospitalization ordered under the Mental Health Law, name changes, wills, and estates. It is possible to order a copy of the probate court proceeding by email if you write to probate.copies@shelbycountytn.gov. Black and white copies will be provided for $0.50 per page. If you need more help, call 901-222-3750.
Felony Drug Court
Founded in 1997, the Shelby County Drug Court is an alternative program that helps non-violent offenders with drug-related criminal charges. The program has four phases, and offenders are placed into an intensive outpatient program that requires reporting to the Court, where the Judge personally reviews their progress. The program consists of:
Participation in other programs as necessary by the Drug Court.
Administration
Mayor: Lee Harris 901-222-3853
County Attorney: Steve Mulroy 901-222-1300 info@scdag.com
County Clerk: Wanda Halbert 901-222-2300
Clerk of the Court: Jamita Swearengen 901-222-3800
Sheriff: Floyd Bonner, Jr.
Circuit Court Judges
Vasco A. Smith, Jr. County
Administration
160 N Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-222-2300
Felicia Corbin-Johnson, Division One
Carol Chumney, Division Two
Valerie L. Smith, Division Three
Gina C. Higgins, Division Four
Rhynette Hurd, Division Five
Cedrick D. Wooten, Division Six
Mary L. Wagner, Division Seven
Damita Dandridge, Division Eight
Yolanda Kight Brown, Division Nine
