Shelby County Inmate Lookup, Booking Details and Criminal Court Verification
Search a recent Memphis or Shelby County booking, check whether the person is still at 201 Poplar or Jail East, find bond and court-date information, and move from an arrest listing to the correct official jail or court record.
Start With the Office That Handles Your Question
Shelby County uses separate systems for current jail custody, court dates, felony criminal cases, state-prison custody and legal representation. Use the matching route below instead of calling every office.
Use the Shelby County Sheriff’s official jail lookup for recent and current county custody.
201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103. Jail information: 901-222-4700.
201 Poplar, Suite LL-81. Phone: 901-222-3500. Weekdays, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
271 Poplar Avenue. Phone: 901-222-3600. Published as open 24 hours.
201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01. Phone: 901-222-2800.
201 Poplar, 8th Floor. Phone: 901-222-4000. Weekdays, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
6201 Haley Road, Memphis, TN 38134. Verify the person’s facility before visiting or mailing.
Use TDOC FOIL for felony offenders in state custody, probation, parole or inactive status.
Tell the Guide What You Need to Do
This browser tool does not ask for a name, booking number or personal information. It simply points you to the correct official Shelby County resource.
Common Shelby County Arrest-Record Tasks
Search by surname first, compare the booking number and confirm whether the person is at 201 Poplar or Jail East.
Confirm the bond, court and any additional hold before assuming payment will produce immediate release.
Use the Criminal Justice System portal or call the General Sessions Criminal Division with the booking or case information.
Check the PAN-list requirement, GettingOut account information and current video-visitation instructions.
Contact the Shelby County Public Defender or use an official Tennessee lawyer directory or referral service.
Read the case status and disposition rather than relying on the charge shown on a booking page.
How to Search Shelby County Jail Records by Name
Use the official inmate lookup for people booked into Shelby County jail custody. Begin with fewer fields and confirm several identifiers before deciding that a result belongs to the correct person.
Use the official portal at imljail.shelbycountytn.gov.
Use the last name before adding the first name. This helps when the booking uses a middle name, shortened first name or spelling variation.
Compare the full name, age or date of birth, booking date, charge, booking number and facility.
The booking number is useful when calling the jail, sending mail, depositing funds or locating the court case.
Read whether the person remains in custody and whether bond or hold information is displayed.
Use the Shelby County Criminal Justice System portal to check the court date and case information.
How to confirm that it is the correct person
- Compare the full legal name.
- Check age or date of birth.
- Confirm the booking date.
- Check the booking number.
- Review the arresting agency.
- Compare the listed charge.
- Confirm the detention facility.
- Match the court case or docket number.
Jail Search, Criminal Court and TDOC FOIL Answer Different Questions
System | Best use | May include | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|---|
Shelby County inmate search | Recent and current Shelby County jail custody | Booking, charges, custody and bond-related details | Conviction or final court outcome |
General Sessions Criminal Justice System | Misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, court dates and pre-indictment matters | Case and hearing information | That the person remains in jail |
Shelby County Criminal Court | Felony criminal cases and post-indictment matters | Case status, payments and court records | Present county or state custody |
TDOC FOIL | Tennessee felony offenders in custody or under supervision | Photo, status, location, sentence, parole and release details | A fresh Shelby County booking |
Tennessee appellate search | Appeals and higher-court case history | Appellate filings and opinions | Shelby County trial-court records |
How to Check Bond and Help Someone Get Released
Judicial Commissioners set bonds and court dates. A bond amount alone does not guarantee immediate release because additional charges, holds or release processing may still apply.
Use the inmate search or call the jail at 901-222-4700.
Confirm whether the matter is handled by a Judicial Commissioner, General Sessions or another court.
Ask whether the release route is cash, surety, recognizance, non-financial release or another court-ordered condition.
A separate warrant, another county, federal matter or other restriction may prevent release after one bond is paid.
The published 24-hour Clerk’s Office is at 271 Poplar Avenue and can be reached at 901-222-3600.
The Sheriff’s Office explains that release involves fingerprinting, photographs, warrant checks, NCIC processing and medical steps. Actual time can vary.
How to Find a Shelby County Criminal Court Date and Case Status
Use cjs.shelbycountytn.gov. Registration may be required for access.
Use the person’s legal name, booking number, case number or court-date information where the portal allows.
General Sessions commonly handles misdemeanors, preliminary hearings and pre-indictment matters. Felony cases may later move to Criminal Court.
Check scheduled hearings, charge descriptions, disposition and any available payment or judgment information.
Contact the General Sessions Criminal Division at 901-222-3500, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Common court terms
Term | General meaning | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
Pending | The case has not reached a final disposition. | Next court date and current bond conditions |
Dismissed | The court ended the listed charge without a conviction on that charge. | Whether costs remain and whether expungement requires a filing |
Nolle prosequi | The prosecution is not pursuing the charge at that time. | Expungement eligibility and certified court documents |
Indicted | A grand jury returned formal charges. | Criminal Court case and arraignment information |
Continued | The hearing was moved to another date. | Updated court date and release conditions |
Disposed | The court recorded an outcome. | Disposition, sentence, costs and eligibility for later relief |
How to Find a Public Defender or Criminal Lawyer in Shelby County
The office represents qualifying indigent defendants. Contact the office for case-assignment and eligibility guidance.
Phone: 901-222-2800
Address: 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01, Memphis, TN 38103
The Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility provides an attorney search and lists the Memphis Bar Association referral service for Shelby County.
Memphis referral number: 901-527-3573
Search Tennessee attorney status
View lawyer referral services
Questions to ask before hiring a private attorney
- Are you licensed and active in Tennessee?
- Do you regularly handle cases in Shelby County?
- Who will appear in court?
- What does the quoted fee include?
- Are investigation or expert costs separate?
- What is the communication policy?
- Will I receive a written fee agreement?
- How are unused funds handled?
Shelby County Jail Video Visitation Rules and Setup
Shelby County promotes incoming video visits through the GettingOut Visits app. Visitors must be approved on the inmate’s phone PAN list, and the PAN must match the telephone number on the visitor’s GettingOut account.
Use the inmate search to verify custody and the current facility.
Follow the account links provided on the Sheriff’s official visitation page.
The telephone number associated with the PAN must match the GettingOut account number.
Video visit calls are received through the GettingOut Visits app on Android or iOS.
The Sheriff advises visitors to have the app open and remain logged in when expecting a call.
Facility restrictions, lockdowns and technical requirements can affect availability.
Before a video visit
- Confirm that the visitor is on the approved PAN list.
- Use the matching telephone number.
- Install the official app from the correct app store.
- Log in before the expected call.
- Check the account balance and current charges.
- Use a quiet, well-lit location.
- Keep prohibited conduct and recording rules in mind.
- Check whether the inmate was transferred.
How to Contact an Inmate, Send Money or Mail a Letter
Use the Sheriff’s official Contact an Inmate page for the current telephone and account provider instructions.
The Sheriff states that inmate-account kiosks are located in the visitation lobbies at 201 Poplar and Jail East. Published in-person deposit hours are 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., seven days a week.
The official inmate contact page lists the provider telephone number as 1-855-836-3364. Confirm provider fees and limits before paying.
Mailing a person at the main jail
Booking number
Floor and pod, if known
201 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Mailing a person at Jail East
Booking number
Housing location, if known
Jail East Women’s Facility
6201 Haley Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Before sending money
- Confirm the inmate’s full name.
- Confirm the booking number.
- Confirm the current facility.
- Use only the provider linked by the Sheriff.
- Review fees before submitting payment.
- Save the confirmation number.
- Do not send money through a stranger.
- Check the current weekly deposit limit.
What to Do When an Inmate Disappears From the Shelby County Search
A missing jail result does not always mean that the original record was incorrect. The person may have been released, transferred or moved into another system.
Possible reason | Next search | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
Released after bond or court order | Shelby County court portal | Release, next court date and conditions |
Transferred to TDOC | TDOC ID, status, location and sentence information | |
Under probation or parole supervision | TDOC FOIL | Supervision or custody level |
Federal custody | Federal register number and institution | |
Another county or agency hold | The named agency or county | Transfer destination and new booking number |
Booking is still processing | Call 901-222-4700 | Name spelling, arresting agency and booking status |
How to Receive Custody and Release Notifications
Tennessee VINE can provide custody-status notifications. Availability depends on the participating system and offender record.
Use the offender’s name or identifier to search.
Compare identity and custody information before registering.
Available options can include telephone, text, email, TTY or app notifications.
Update the account if the telephone number or email address changes.
Open Tennessee VINELink or call VINE support at 1-888-868-4631.
Shelby County Jail, Court and Public Defender Contacts
201 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
- Jail information: 901-222-4700
- Use for recent booking and custody questions.
- Confirm the person’s facility before visiting.
6201 Haley Road
Memphis, TN 38134
- Use the inmate search to confirm placement.
- Check the Sheriff’s current visitation and deposit guidance.
201 Poplar, Suite LL-81
Memphis, TN 38103
- Phone: 901-222-3500
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Use for court-date and General Sessions case questions.
271 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
- Phone: 901-222-3600
- Published hours: 24/7
- Confirm bond-posting instructions before travelling.
201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 8-01
Memphis, TN 38103
- Phone: 901-222-4000
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Handles qualifying non-financial release assessment.
201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01
Memphis, TN 38103
- Phone: 901-222-2800
- Use for assigned-counsel and representation questions.
Map to 201 Poplar Avenue in Memphis
The main jail, General Sessions Criminal Division, Public Defender and Court Operations functions are located within or near the Walter L. Bailey Criminal Justice Center complex. Confirm the exact suite or entrance before visiting.
What to Do in Common Shelby County Arrest Situations
- Confirm the arresting agency.
- Search the official jail portal.
- Wait for booking processing if necessary.
- Call 901-222-4700 if the record remains missing.
- Confirm that payment was accepted.
- Ask about additional holds.
- Allow time for jail processing.
- Call the jail or clerk with the booking number.
- Check the court portal.
- Search TDOC FOIL.
- Check federal custody when relevant.
- Ask the jail about transfer or release.
- Confirm the next court date.
- Contact the Public Defender.
- Ask about the application process.
- Attend every required hearing.
- Confirm current custody.
- Check PAN-list approval.
- Create the matching account.
- Open and log into the app before the call.
- Get the court disposition.
- Check Tennessee expungement guidance.
- File through the originating court.
- Keep certified copies of the order.
How to Check Shelby County Expungement Options
Tennessee expungement is a court process and is not automatic. Eligibility depends on the charge, disposition and other legal requirements.
Use the Shelby County clerk or court portal to identify the case and disposition.
Check whether the result was dismissed, nolle prosequi, no true bill, not guilty, diversion or a potentially eligible conviction.
The request generally begins in the court where the case originated.
Dismissed-with-costs and retired cases may require additional action.
Keep certified copies of the expungement order and relevant charging document.
Private arrest or background-check sites may require a separate correction request after the official record changes.
Open Tennessee Courts expungement guidance
Official Shelby County and Tennessee Arrest-Record Links
Shelby County Arrest Records FAQs
How do I search Shelby County arrest records by name?
Open the official Shelby County inmate search and begin with the person’s last name. Add the first name only when necessary, then compare the booking number, age or date of birth, booking date, charge and facility before treating the result as a match.
How do I find someone who was arrested in Memphis today?
Search the official Shelby County inmate portal first. If no result appears, confirm the arresting agency and call the jail at 901-222-4700. A newly arrested person may still be completing fingerprinting, medical screening, warrant checks and booking.
Where is the Shelby County Main Jail?
The main Shelby County jail is at 201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103. Confirm the person’s current facility and the office or entrance you need before travelling.
How do I check a Shelby County bond amount?
Check the official inmate record and call the jail or appropriate clerk with the booking number. Confirm the bond type, the court that set it and whether another hold may prevent release.
How long does release take after bond is posted?
There is no guaranteed release time. The Sheriff’s Office explains that release processing includes fingerprints, photographs, warrant checks, NCIC processing and medical steps. Additional holds or special case types can create further delay.
How do I find a Shelby County criminal court date?
Use the Shelby County Criminal Justice System portal or call the General Sessions Criminal Division at 901-222-3500. Have the legal name, booking number, case number or docket information ready.
How do Shelby County jail video visits work?
Visitors must be approved on the inmate’s phone PAN list, and the PAN must match the telephone number on the GettingOut account. Video calls are received through the GettingOut Visits mobile app, which should be open and logged in when the call is expected.
How do I contact the Shelby County Public Defender?
Call 901-222-2800 or visit the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender at 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01, Memphis, TN 38103. Ask about representation and the process for qualifying for appointed counsel.
Why is an inmate no longer shown in the Shelby County jail search?
The person may have been released, transferred to another agency, moved into TDOC custody, placed under supervision or transferred to federal custody. Check the court portal, TDOC FOIL and the federal inmate locator as relevant.
Can a dismissed Shelby County arrest record be expunged?
Some dismissed, nolle prosequi, no-true-bill, not-guilty and other qualifying Tennessee records may be eligible for expungement, but the process is not automatic. Obtain the case information and file through the court where the matter originated.
This website is an independent informational resource. It is not affiliated with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Government, the Shelby County courts, the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender, the Tennessee Department of Correction or another government agency.
Official links, published addresses, telephone numbers and operating hours were reviewed during the latest content update. Booking status, release timing, visitation systems, court schedules, provider details and office procedures can change. Confirm time-sensitive information directly with the responsible official source.
Responsible-use notice: An arrest is not a conviction. Do not use an arrest listing to harass someone or to make employment, housing, credit, insurance or other decisions that require a legally compliant consumer report.