Tennessee Courthouse Security Line Wait Times & Hours (2026)

Short answer: Arrive at least 20 to 35 minutes before your scheduled courtroom call. Monday and Tuesday mornings have the longest magnetometer lines due to new jury panels checking in simultaneously. Updated 2026-11-06

Morning security checkpoint wait times in Tennessee range from 10 to 18 minutes during peak 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM docket call. The longest typical queue is at Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis) (~18 mins). Tennessee county courthouses are split: Shelby County (Memphis 201 Poplar Criminal Justice Center) and several regional counties strictly ban public cell phones with no lockers inside the building, whereas Davidson County (Nashville Historic Courthouse) permits silenced phones.

County Courthouse	City	Security line wait times	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Shelby County Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis)	Memphis	~18 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early)	No lockers	price not listed
Davidson County Davidson County Courthouse (Nashville)	Nashville	~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early)	No lockers	Free Validated
Knox County Knox County Courthouse (Knoxville)	Knoxville	~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early)	No lockers	Free Validated
Rutherford County Rutherford County Courthouse (Murfreesboro)	Murfreesboro	~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early)	No lockers	Free Validated
Hamilton County Hamilton County Courthouse (Chattanooga)	Chattanooga	~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early)	No lockers	Free Validated
Williamson County Williamson County Courthouse (Franklin)	Franklin	~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early)	No lockers	Free Validated
Montgomery County Montgomery County Courthouse (Clarksville)	Clarksville	~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early)	No lockers	Free Validated
Sumner County Sumner County Courthouse (Gallatin)	Gallatin	~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early)	No lockers	Free Validated

Going to Court Without a Lawyer?

Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in TN

If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in TN, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I arrive for an 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM court date in Tennessee?

Arrive at least 20 to 35 minutes before your scheduled courtroom call. Monday and Tuesday mornings have the longest magnetometer lines due to new jury panels checking in simultaneously.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-06.