Search Memphis Bench Warrants
Memphis bench warrants are handled through the Shelby County court system and the Memphis Police Department. As the largest city in West Tennessee with around 650,000 residents, Memphis processes a high volume of bench warrants each year. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office maintains an online warrant search system that the public can use at no cost. Whether you need to check your own status or look up someone else, this page explains how to find bench warrant information in Memphis and what steps to take next.
Memphis Quick Facts
Memphis Bench Warrant Search Online
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office provides an online warrant search system. This is the main tool for checking Memphis bench warrants from your computer or phone. You can search by first name, last name, street number, or street name. The database gets updated every hour with current active warrants. A warning on the site says you should not try to arrest or detain anyone listed. That job belongs to law enforcement only.
Some warrants in the system may have been resolved. The database is current at the time of posting, but recent changes might not show right away. If you find a warrant, contact the HCSO Fugitive Bureau at 901-222-5627. The W.A.S.P. program gives officers access to criminal history, photos, and warrant data all in one place. This helps them confirm bench warrants during traffic stops and other contacts.
For anonymous tips about wanted people, call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-2274.
Shelby County Courts and Bench Warrants
The Shelby County General Sessions Court handles about 100,000 cases a year. That includes misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, and traffic violations. Their Criminal Justice System Portal gives free online access to criminal records, but you need to register first. You can search by defendant name or case number. Results show arrest dates, charges filed, and sentencing details. Bench warrants issued for failure to appear show up in this system too.
The Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk at 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3034, handles felony case records. They accept warrant inquiries during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone number is 901-222-3200. Copy fees apply for certified copies. All persons arrested by Memphis Police end up at the Shelby County Jail, where the roster updates every hour.
Tennessee law under TCA § 40-6-206 sets a five-year limit on misdemeanor warrants. But felony bench warrants and most bench warrants from Criminal Court do not expire until served or recalled. So an old Memphis bench warrant could still be active years later.
Memphis Police Records Division
The Memphis Police Department Records Division is at 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 12-05. Phone: 901-545-5700. You can submit records requests in person, by mail, by fax, or through the MPD website. Chief Cerelyn Davis leads the department, which has about 1,900 sworn officers serving the city.
A few things to keep in mind when requesting records in Memphis. You need proof of Tennessee residency per state law. Active case files are not released while an investigation is open. Closed cases are available with proper ID. Third-party requests need a notarized authorization from the person named in the records. Processing time depends on how busy the office is and how complex the request. Fees apply for copies of reports.
The City of Memphis website connects to police services, court information, and public records tied to bench warrants in Shelby County.
Resolving a Memphis Bench Warrant
Getting ahead of a bench warrant in Memphis is critical. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office actively pursues warrant service. Officers check warrants during traffic stops, at checkpoints, and when responding to calls. If a bench warrant comes up, you go to jail.
Your best option is to hire an attorney or contact legal aid. A lawyer can sometimes get the warrant recalled and arrange a new court date. For minor cases, the judge might allow a reset without bail. For serious charges, you will likely need to post bond. The court looks at the original charge, your history, and whether you have missed court before. The Shelby County courts set bond based on all of these things.
- Call a Memphis criminal defense attorney
- Reach out to the court clerk for your case type
- Prepare to post bond if required by the judge
- Bring your ID and any paperwork tied to the case
- Show up to your new court date without fail
Note: The Tennessee Public Records Act at TCA § 10-7-503 allows you to check your own records, but it does not let you resolve a bench warrant remotely.
Bench Warrant Penalties in Memphis
Under TCA § 39-16-609, failure to appear is its own criminal charge on top of whatever you were in court for. A Class A misdemeanor carries up to 11 months and 29 days in jail plus a $2,500 fine. A Class E felony brings 1 to 6 years in prison and up to $3,000 in fines. The DA's office in Memphis prosecutes these cases. Bond forfeiture also kicks in when you skip court, which means you or your bondsman lose the money put up for your release.
Traffic bench warrants in Memphis can lead to a driver's license suspension. The Tennessee traffic safety system tracks these statewide. If you get pulled over in any Tennessee city with a suspended license tied to a Memphis bench warrant, you face additional charges.
Shelby County Bench Warrants
Memphis is the county seat of Shelby County. All bench warrants for Memphis go through the Shelby County court system. The sheriff's office runs the jail and handles warrant service across the county. For more on county-wide courts, fees, and search options, see the full Shelby County page.
Nearby Tennessee Cities
Other cities in the Memphis area have their own bench warrant resources. Select a city below for local details.