Shelby County Arrest Records

Shelby County arrest records are public documents kept by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office at 201 Poplar Avenue, 9th Floor, Memphis, TN 38103. The county seat is Memphis, and Shelby County sits in Southwest Tennessee with a population of about 929,744. These arrest records cover bookings, charges, and jail data for the entire county. You can search for arrest records by name, date, or case number through the sheriff's office or third-party search tools listed on this page.

Shelby County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is the largest law enforcement agency in the county and the primary source for arrest records. Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. oversees operations that include two separate jail 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 jails run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All Shelby County arrest records are created and stored by this office.

Shelby County processes a high volume of arrests given its population of nearly 930,000 people. The online inmate lookup tool lets you search by name, date of birth, booking number, permanent number, or state ID. This is the fastest way to check current jail status in Shelby County. The roster updates on a regular basis. For records that are not online, call the public records desk at 901-222-1300 or visit in person.

The Shelby County District Attorney General's Office handles written public records requests. Send yours to: Public Records Desk, 201 Poplar Ave., Ste. 11000, Memphis, TN 38103. You must include a copy of your Tennessee state ID. Be specific about which records you need. Tennessee residents pay $0.15 per page for police reports. Non-residents pay $15 for records requests.

The screenshot below shows a search tool that lists Shelby County arrest records and jail data.

This portal provides current booking and inmate data for Shelby County.

Another resource for Shelby County arrest records is shown in the image below.

This tool lets you search by name for inmates held in Shelby County.

The tool shown here provides extra inmate data for Shelby County.

Use this site to check on current jail status in Shelby County.

This page shows warrant and fugitive data for Shelby County.

Check here for the latest updates on active cases in Shelby County.

How to Search Shelby County Arrest Records

There are a few ways to find arrest records in Shelby County. You can search online, call the jail, or go in person. Each method works, but the best one depends on what you need. Online tools give fast results for basic data. In-person visits let you get full copies right away.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation runs the TORIS background check system, which searches statewide criminal history records. A name-based search costs $29 and includes Shelby County arrests that were reported to TBI through fingerprint submissions. Keep in mind that not all arrests show up in TORIS. Only those reported via fingerprints are in the system. For the most complete and current Shelby County arrest data, contact the sheriff's office directly.

To search for Shelby County arrest records, you will need:

• Full name of the person you are looking for
• Date of birth if you have it
• Approximate date of the arrest

The FOIL system from the Tennessee Department of Correction lets you look up felony offenders who have been in state custody. This is a free search tool. It shows current location, sentence details, and projected release dates. It does not cover county jail inmates or people held on misdemeanor charges in Shelby County.

Note: Not all Shelby County arrest records appear in statewide databases. For the most accurate results, contact the sheriff's office or check the jail roster directly.

Shelby County Arrest Records and Tennessee Law

Arrest records in Shelby County are governed by the Tennessee Public Records Act, found at T.C.A. 10-7-503. This law says that government records are open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. Arrest records, booking logs, and jail rosters are generally considered public records in Tennessee. Any Tennessee citizen can request them.

To make a public records request in Shelby County, you need to show proof of Tennessee residency. A valid Tennessee driver's license or state ID works. Non-residents generally cannot access Tennessee public records under the TPRA. Send your request to Public Records Desk, Shelby County District Attorney General's Office, 201 Poplar Ave., Ste. 11000, Memphis, TN 38103. Phone: 901-222-1300. Be as specific as you can about what records you want. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them.

There are some limits on what you can get. Active criminal investigation files may be withheld under T.C.A. 10-7-504. Juvenile arrest records are sealed. Records that have been expunged are no longer public. Medical and mental health records tied to a case are also exempt. But the basic facts of an arrest, including the name, charge, date, and bail, are almost always available to the public in Shelby County.

Copy fees in Tennessee are $0.15 per page for standard black and white copies. Color copies cost $0.50 per page. If your request takes more than one hour of staff time, the agency can charge for the extra labor at the employee's hourly rate.

What Shelby County Arrest Records Include

An arrest record from Shelby County contains several pieces of information. The exact contents depend on the type of arrest and the charges filed. Most records include the person's full name, date of birth, address, and physical description. The record also shows the arresting agency, the date and time of arrest, the charges, and the bail or bond amount.

Booking records are created when someone is brought to the Shelby County jail. These include a mugshot, fingerprints, and a list of all charges. The booking record also notes if the person was released on bond, held for court, or transferred to another facility. Jail records in Shelby County are updated as the case moves through the court system.

Shelby County criminal court records are separate from arrest records but closely related. Court records show the outcome of the case, including pleas, trial results, and sentencing. These records are kept by the Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk. You can search for court case information through the Tennessee Court System website.

Note: Some Shelby County arrest records may have redacted information. Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and bank account details are routinely removed from public copies.

Expungement of Shelby County Arrest Records

Tennessee law allows certain arrest records to be expunged. Expungement means the record is sealed from public view. Under T.C.A. 40-32-101, eligible individuals can petition to have their records removed. This applies to some misdemeanors and certain Class E felonies for first-time offenders who have completed all sentence requirements.

Not every arrest record in Shelby County can be expunged. Serious violent crimes, sexual offenses, and DUI convictions are not eligible. You must wait the required time period, usually five years. You also need to have no pending charges and no more than two convictions total. The petition must be filed in the court where the conviction took place. If your case was in Shelby County, you file here.

Once a record is expunged, it will no longer appear in public searches of Shelby County arrest records. The person can legally deny the conviction in most situations. However, expunged records may still be seen by certain employers in law enforcement or professional licensing boards. The process takes about six to twelve weeks from filing.

Additional Shelby County Arrest Record Resources

Beyond the sheriff's office, there are other ways to access Shelby County arrest records. The VINELink system lets you track offenders and get notified about custody status changes. This is a free service run by the state. You can register to get alerts when an inmate is released or transferred from the Shelby County jail.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also maintains the Sex Offender Registry. You can search by name, city, county, or address. This database covers all registered sex offenders in Shelby County and across Tennessee. It includes photos, addresses, and conviction details.

For legal help with arrest records in Shelby County, contact the Tennessee Bar Association lawyer referral service at (800) 899-6993. Legal aid organizations in Tennessee may also help with expungement petitions and record review at no cost for those who qualify based on income.

Cities in Shelby County

All arrest records for Shelby County residents are processed through the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Cities in this county include Memphis, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown.

Nearby Counties

If you are not sure which county covers your area, check the address where the arrest took place. Arrest records are held by the county where the arrest happened, not where the person lives.

View All 95 Counties