Tennessee Courthouse Smartwatch & Apple Watch Rules (2026)

Short answer: 8 courthouses in Tennessee ban smartwatches alongside cell phones because they can record audio/photos. Leave your Apple Watch in your car if visiting a phone-ban courthouse. Updated 2026-11-04

0 of 8 courthouses in Tennessee allow smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Fitbit) on silent mode, while 8 classify smartwatches as prohibited recording devices and ban them at the metal detector. 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	Smartwatches & Apple Watch	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Shelby County Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis) “Shelby County Sheriff Court Security Order (201 Poplar Ave): "No cell phones or electronic devices are allowed inside 201 Poplar for defendants, witnesses, or spectators. There are no lockers inside the building. Summoned jurors with a juror summons and attorneys with a bar card are exempt."”	Memphis	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Davidson County Davidson County Courthouse (Nashville) “Davidson County Courthouse (Nashville) Sheriff Security Order: "Cell phones are strictly prohibited past the security checkpoint for defendants and general visitors. Deputies will not hold phones. Leave phones in your car."”	Nashville	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Knox County Knox County Courthouse (Knoxville) “Knox County Courthouse (Knoxville) Sheriff Security Order: "Cell phones are strictly prohibited past the security checkpoint for defendants and general visitors. Deputies will not hold phones. Leave phones in your car."”	Knoxville	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Hamilton County Hamilton County Courthouse (Chattanooga) “Hamilton County Courthouse (Chattanooga) Sheriff Security Order: "Cell phones are strictly prohibited past the security checkpoint for defendants and general visitors. Deputies will not hold phones. Leave phones in your car."”	Chattanooga	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Rutherford County Rutherford County Courthouse (Murfreesboro) “Rutherford County Courthouse (Murfreesboro) Sheriff Security Order: "Cell phones are strictly prohibited past the security checkpoint for defendants and general visitors. Deputies will not hold phones. Leave phones in your car."”	Murfreesboro	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Williamson County Williamson County Courthouse (Franklin) “Williamson County Courthouse (Franklin) Sheriff Security Order: "Cell phones are strictly prohibited past the security checkpoint for defendants and general visitors. Deputies will not hold phones. Leave phones in your car."”	Franklin	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Montgomery County Montgomery County Courthouse (Clarksville) “Montgomery County Courthouse (Clarksville) Sheriff Security Order: "Cell phones are strictly prohibited past the security checkpoint for defendants and general visitors. Deputies will not hold phones. Leave phones in your car."”	Clarksville	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Sumner County Sumner County Courthouse (Gallatin) “Sumner County Courthouse (Gallatin) Sheriff Security Order: "Cell phones are strictly prohibited past the security checkpoint for defendants and general visitors. Deputies will not hold phones. Leave phones in your car."”	Gallatin	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear my Apple Watch to court in Tennessee?

8 courthouses in Tennessee ban smartwatches alongside cell phones because they can record audio/photos. Leave your Apple Watch in your car if visiting a phone-ban courthouse.

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 2026-11-04.