Memphis Arrest Records
Memphis arrest records are maintained by the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. As the second largest city in Tennessee with roughly 630,000 residents, Memphis generates a large number of arrest records each year. The Shelby County jail system processes all bookings and keeps inmate data that the public can search online. Arrest records in Memphis cover everything from misdemeanor charges to serious felonies, and most are open to Tennessee residents under state public records law.
Memphis Quick Facts
Where Memphis Arrest Records Are Kept
The Memphis Police Department handles most arrests within city limits. After arrest, the person is booked at the Shelby County jail. The jail has two main facilities. The men's facility is at 201 Poplar Avenue, 9th Floor, Memphis, TN 38103. The women's facility is at 6201 Haley Road, Memphis, TN 38103. Both are run by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
| Agency | Memphis Police Department |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Shelby County Sheriff's Office |
| Jail Address | 201 Poplar Avenue, 9th Floor Memphis, TN 38103 |
| Phone | (901) 222-5500 |
| Hours | Jail: 24/7 | Office: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | memphispolice.org |
The Memphis Police Department keeps all arrest and incident reports at its headquarters. For records tied to the district attorney's office, you can call 901-222-1300 or email publicrecords@scdaq.com. The Shelby County District Attorney General's Office is at 201 Poplar Ave., Suite 11000, Memphis, TN 38103. They handle records related to prosecution of Memphis arrest cases.
How to Search Memphis Arrest Records
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office offers an online inmate search tool. You can look up current inmates by name, date of birth, booking number, or state ID. The inmate roster updates on a regular basis and shows charges, bond amounts, and booking details. Visit shelby-sheriff.org to start a search for Memphis arrest records.
The Memphis Police Department website also provides access to arrest data. The screenshot below shows the Memphis Police Department site, which is a key resource for arrest records in Memphis.
You can find links to records requests, crime data, and department contacts from the MPD homepage.
For formal copies of Memphis arrest records, written requests are required. Send your request to the Public Records Desk at the Shelby County District Attorney General's Office. You need a valid Tennessee state ID to prove residency. Your request must name the specific records you want. The office will not do broad research or pull general data for you. Each request for Memphis arrest records must describe the record by name, date, or some other unique detail.
Memphis City Court handles municipal violations and traffic offenses that result in arrest. The screenshot below shows the Memphis City Court website.
City Court records in Memphis can be looked up through the court clerk's office for minor offenses and traffic violations.
Note: Records related to pending criminal cases in Memphis cannot be requested until at least one year after the final judgment. If post-conviction proceedings are still going, those records stay closed too.
Memphis Arrest Record Fees
Fees for Memphis arrest records follow state guidelines. Tennessee residents pay $0.15 per page for police report copies. Non-residents face a flat $15 fee for records requests. The exact cost depends on the type of record and the agency holding it. Cash, check, and money order are the most common payment methods at Memphis offices.
The Memphis Police Department follows Tennessee Code Annotated 10-7-301 for records management. This law covers how records are created, stored, and eventually destroyed. All case files from investigations are considered primary public records in Memphis. The chief of police sets the retention schedule, and felony arrest records in Memphis are kept much longer than misdemeanor ones.
Tennessee Law and Memphis Arrest Records
The Tennessee Public Records Act at T.C.A. 10-7-503 gives Tennessee citizens the right to access arrest records held by Memphis agencies. The law treats all government records as public unless an exemption applies. Memphis must respond to public records requests within seven business days.
Some Memphis arrest records are restricted. Active investigation files can be held back. Juvenile arrest records are never public. Social Security numbers and other sensitive data get redacted before release. Expunged records also stay sealed. Under T.C.A. 40-32-101, people whose charges were dropped or who were acquitted can petition to have their Memphis arrest record sealed from public view.
The Shelby County Sheriff offers a public warrant search tool too. You need the first and last name of the person you are looking for. Warrant details are not given over the phone for safety reasons. This is a useful tool when you need to check for active warrants tied to Memphis arrest records.
Statewide Search Tools for Memphis
The TBI's TORIS system covers Memphis arrests that were reported to the state database. Each search costs $29 and pulls from fingerprint-based submissions statewide. For felony offenders sentenced after a Memphis arrest, the FOIL database from TDOC shows current prison location, sentence details, and projected release dates at no charge.
VINELink provides free custody alerts for inmates across Tennessee, including those booked through the Shelby County jail in Memphis. You can sign up for phone, email, or text alerts when an inmate's status changes. This service is especially useful for crime victims tracking an offender after a Memphis arrest.
Shelby County Arrest Records
Memphis is the county seat of Shelby County. All arrest bookings in Memphis go through the Shelby County jail and court system. For the full list of county resources, search tools, and fee details, visit the Shelby County arrest records page.
Nearby Tennessee Cities
Other cities near Memphis have their own arrest record resources. Select a city below to see how to find arrest records in that area.