Shelby County, Tennessee, has a large and multifaceted court system that handles a wide variety of legal matters. A key component of many legal proceedings in Shelby County are sworn statements called shelby county affidavits.
The following guide will provide information about expungement clinics, criminal courts, and other vital services in Shelby County.
Criminal Court Clerk’s Office and Expungement Clinic
Here’s what’s been happening recently with the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office:
Office Closure and Maintenance
On March 26, 2025, the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office was temporarily closed due to building maintenance and a power outage. Check their Facebook or Instagram accounts for up-to-date information if you’re planning a visit.
Expungement Clinic
The Criminal Court Clerk’s Office partnered with the Memphis Grizzlies to host a free expungement clinic on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at FedEx Forum. Free parking was available. Multiple agencies were on hand to provide resources to help people get a fresh start.
Structure of the Criminal Courts Division
The Criminal Courts Division is a busy place, providing courtroom security and handling a wide variety of cases. Let’s take a quick look at how it’s structured.
General Overview
There are ten Criminal Courts Divisions operating out of the Criminal Justice Complex. These courts handle a huge volume of cases – approximately 207,378 each year. They also manage a large number of inmates, around 27,860 annually.
Specialized Courts
Within the Criminal Courts Division, there are also some specialized courts that focus on particular types of cases:
- General Sessions Criminal Courts: These courts primarily handle misdemeanor cases. They also take on one felony case per month, rotating the responsibility among the courts.
- Drug Court (Division 8): This court offers an alternative to jail for non-violent offenders struggling with addiction. It focuses on providing treatment and supervision. Since 1997, over 2,000 participants have graduated from the program.
- Traffic & Environmental Court (Division 14): This court handles code violations and public nuisance cases, helping to keep the community safe and well-maintained.
Additional Court Services and Accessibility
The Shelby County court system offers several ways to make its services accessible to all residents.
Satellite Court Meetings
To improve outreach, Division 14 holds satellite court meetings at locations throughout the county, including Frayser, Whitehaven, Memphis Crosstown, Hickory Hill, and Cordova.
These meetings are intended to make court services more accessible to Shelby County residents, no matter where they live.
Court Security and Staffing
The Shelby County court system takes security seriously, especially during high-profile jury trials, which require additional security measures.
Division 14 is staffed by 30 court officers, 1 lieutenant, 3 sergeants, and 2 clerical specialists.
The Bottom Line
The Shelby County court system is made up of many different divisions and programs. Understanding how the court system is structured and what resources are available is essential for residents and legal professionals alike.
Community outreach programs and expungement clinics can help increase access to justice for all.