Shelby County
Shelby County was formed in 1819 and is the largest county in Tennessee, having a population of over 926,000 residents. It was established in 1819 and named after Isaac Shelby, Kentucky's First State Governor. The county occupies about 761 square miles of land, making it the largest county in Tennessee. The City of Memphis serves as the county seat.
The court system in Shelby County comprises the Circuit courts, Criminal courts, Chancery courts, General sessions courts, Probate courts, Juvenile courts, and Municipal courts. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases in the county and hears appeals from the lower courts. The Criminal Court manages felony criminal cases and indicted misdemeanor cases, while the General Sessions Court handles misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic violations.
The Chancery Court deals with arbitration, distribution of real or personal property, the release and appointment of trustees, partition, paternity, name changes, divorce, and adoption. General sessions courts handle preliminary hearings in all criminal cases and violations of municipal ordinances. The Probate Court presides over the probate of wills, guardianships, the administration of estates, and conservatorships. Then, the Juvenile court handles all issues concerning minors and children, while the Municipal courts deal with traffic and ordinance violations.
Shelby County public court records are legal documents generated during court proceedings. These records include case filings, dockets, judgments, and trial transcripts. The Tennessee Courts Rule 34 grants public access to public court records such as:
- Criminal records
- Civil court records
- Property records
- Probate records
- Traffic records
Records, such as juvenile court cases or mental health or adoption files, are restricted for privacy reasons. Individuals can request court records from the office of the Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk via phone, email, or in person at:
Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
140 Adams Avenue, Room 324
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3800
Email: jamita.swearengen@shelbycountytn.gov
Court records are accessible online through the Tennessee Public Case History. Online requesters can search the state's database by providing the case numbers, names of parties involved, or organization names. Online viewing is free, but there may be fees for obtaining certified or physical copies of documents from the Clerk's Office.
