Shelby County Courts

Of Tennessee's nearly 7.32 million residents, about 927,00 live in Shelby County, accounting for approximately 12.87% of the state's total population. Shelby County's primary trial courts handle around 28,000 new case filings each year. These courts also process nearly 27,000 case dispositions annually. The annual caseload typically includes about 17,700 criminal filings with 17,000 criminal dispositions. Additionally, the courts process about 3,300 new probate filings and resolve up to 2,400 probate cases.

Shelby County's trial court system is structured to handle legal matters originating within the county. While several lower courts operate in different municipalities across the county, most higher-level trial courts are located in the county seat, Memphis. Cases involving criminal prosecutions, civil suits, probate issues, and family law matters in the county are adjudicated at the following courts:

• Circuit Court: This court has general jurisdiction, handling civil cases such as personal injury lawsuits, contract disputes, and appeals.Additionally, it handles divorces and other domestic relations matters.
• Criminal Court: It is responsible for adjudicating serious felony offenses, such as murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.
• Chancery Court: The Chancery Court has jurisdiction over cases involving workers' compensation, replevin, usury, and the removal of public officers.
• Probate Court: Probate issues are adjudicated at the court, including guardianships and the administration of wills and estates.
• Juvenile Court: Shelby County Juvenile Court handles cases involving minors, such as delinquency, child abuse, and emancipation.
• General Sessions Court: The General Sessions Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and certain civil matters.

Shelby County also has Municipal Courts within several cities/towns that handle the violation of local ordinances, traffic laws, and lesser criminal offenses.

How To Access Shelby County Court Records

Under the Tennessee Open Records Act, Shelby County court records are considered public and may be accessed by anyone upon request. However, sealed or confidential court records are exempt from public access, such as juvenile records, medical records, and order of protection case files.

Custodians who disseminate court records in Shelby County may require record seekers to provide a valid government-issued ID and the case number related to the court documents being sought.

Online

Shelby County court records can be accessed online through the record portals maintained by the court clerks. These include the Circuit Court case search portal and the Chancery Court case information site.

Interested individuals may also use CourtCaseFinder to access Shelby County court records and similar records maintained in other counties across the United States online.

Additionally, federal case records in Shelby County are typically available on the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) case locator.Creating an account is required, and copying or search fees may apply for obtaining electronic files through the PACER system.

In-Person

Shelby County court records are typically available for inspection or copying at the courthouse where the specific case was filed. The court clerks serve as custodians of these records and also process in-person requests for them at the courthouses. To request records, individuals may visit the courthouses and provide the necessary case details required to facilitate the search.

Some courthouses in the county may provide public computers for visitors to search cases easily during business hours. Generally, records seekers may pay $0.50 per page to obtain copies of court records, while certified copies cost $5.

Old and Archived Court Records

Historical court records in Shelby County, including court files older than 50 years, may be unavailable for online access or at the courthouses. However, individuals can explore resources provided by theTennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA)to access such files. Interested persons may order records for the TSLA or obtain the files being sought in person by visiting the following address:

How To File a Case in Shelby County

Shelby County courts support the electronic filing of cases through the eFlex portal. Litigants may also file cases in the county in person by visiting the specific county court clerk's office.

Litigants are typically required to pay certain fees to file cases at the county court. Filing fees generally vary based on the court and the type of case. For example, initiating certain civil actions at the Circuit or Chancery Courts may cost up to $291.50, while other matters (such as probate or small claims) have different fee structures. Filing a divorce case with minor children costs $381.50, while divorces without minor children cost $306.50. A complete fee schedule is available through the Clerk's Office or on the court's website. Individuals unable to afford these costs may apply for fee waivers by submitting a completed Affidavit of Indigency form with their filing documents. The Judge will determine the applicant's eligibility for such waivers based on the affidavit.

To successfully file a case in Shelby County, litigants may contact the court clerk's office to verify the appropriate court and filing procedure for their matter.

Major steps to file a case in Shelby County include:

• Determine the type of case and the courthouse where the matter should be filed.
• Prepare the required documents using court-approved forms by drafting a petition or complaint that contains the details of the case and remedies being sought. Depending on the case, additional documents such as affidavits, exhibits, or motions may be prepared. Individuals may obtain court-approved forms from the Shelby County Courts website or the Clerk's Office.
• Pay the necessary filing fees or apply for a waiver by completing the Indigency Affidavit form.
• Deliver the petition/complaint and supporting documents electronically via the county's e-filing website (eFlex) or in person at the courthouse.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

For litigants in Shelby County who lack the financial means to hire an attorney, they may use available self-help resources provided by the county or state courts to navigate their cases. Additionally, local legal aid societies and pro bono panels serving the county may offer free or affordable legal representation services to individuals who qualify based on income or other criteria.

Interested persons may consider one or more of the following legal help or self-help resources:

• Statewide Help Resources for Self-Represented Litigants
• eFlex Electronic Filing Guide
• HELP4TN
• Tennessee Access to Justice Initiative
• Tennessee Courts Self-Help Center
• Tennessee Free Legal Answers
• Affordable/ Free Legal Representation
• Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors (Immigration)
• Community Legal Center
• Non-profit Legal Aid Organizations
• Memphis Area Legal Services
• State and County Pro-bono Panels
• Tennessee Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Memphis Bar Association

Types of Courts in Shelby County, Tennessee

Shelby County has several courts that have authority to resolve legal matters, including the Chancery Court, Circuit Court, Municipal Courts, and Federal Courts. The following is a list of courts within the county, the cases they hear, and contact details:

Shelby County Circuit Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: Civil matters heard at the Circuit Court include appeals from lower courts, breach of contract, divorce, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and personal injury matters. The Circuit Court serves as the general jurisdiction court.

Address and contact information:

Shelby County Circuit Court

Shelby County Chancery Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: Cases at the Chancery Courts involve usury, public nuisances, tax sales, eminent domain, and habeas corpus petitions.

Address and contact information:

Shelby County Chancery Court

Shelby County Criminal Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court has jurisdiction over all cases involving felonies and indicted misdemeanors.

Address and contact information:

Shelby County Criminal Court

Shelby County General Sessions Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: The Civil Division of the court handles cases involving evictions, personal property, mental health, and civil matters with claims up to $25,000. On the other hand, the court's Criminal Division handles misdemeanors.

Address and contact information:

Shelby County General Sessions Court

Shelby County General Sessions Court - Civil Division

Shelby County General Sessions Court - Criminal Court

Shelby County General Sessions Court - Hickory Hill Office

Shelby County General Sessions Court - Mullins Station Office

Shelby County Juvenile Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: The Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over matters involving minors, such as delinquency cases, child abuse/neglect, and truancy.

Address and contact information:

Shelby County Juvenile Court

Shelby County Probate Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: Cases handled by this court include conservatorships, guardianships, mental health commitments, name changes, will settlements, and estate administration.

Address and contact information:

Shelby County Probate Court

Shelby County Municipal Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: The Municipal Courts in Shelby County hear cases involving municipal ordinance violations, traffic infractions, misdemeanor offenses with no jail time, and preliminary hearings for criminal cases.

The following Municipal Courts operate in Shelby County:

Bartlett City Court

Collierville Municipal Court

Germantown Municipal Court

Memphis City Court

Millington City Court

Federal Courts in Shelby County

The following are the federal courts in the county:

United States District Court - Western District of Tennessee

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court hears civil and criminal disputes that fall under the purview of federal statutes, the U.S. Constitution, or federal agencies.

Address and contact information:

United States Bankruptcy Court - Western District of Tennessee

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court handles all types of bankruptcy filings originating in the county.

Address and Contact Information:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shelby County Courts