Shelby County, TN Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: No for the general public. Under Shelby County Judicial District Court Security Order, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis). However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt. NO. Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis) bans public cell phones and has NO storage lockers at the security checkpoint. Sheriff deputies will not hold your phone. If you arrive by Uber, Lyft, or bus with a phone, you will be denied entry. Last checked
How sure is this? We could not confirm Shelby County's phone rule on an official court source, so the rule shown may be out of date. Before you go, call (901) 222-3500 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
⚠️ Rideshare & Transit Warning ("The Uber Trap")
Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis) bans cell phones for general visitors AND has NO storage lockers at the entrance. Sheriff deputies will NOT hold your phone at the security checkpoint. If you arrive by Uber, Lyft, or bus without a parked car to lock your phone inside, you will be turned away at the door. Missing your court call can trigger a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis)
- Address
- 201 Poplar Ave / 140 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (901) 222-3500
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~3,250 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/178/Courts ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- Paid Parking (price not listed)
- Designated Garage / Lot
- No designated juror parking; discounted private lots listed by Jury Commission (e.g., BEST PARK, 235 Adams Ave, $3)
- How to Validate
- Jury Commission does not reimburse parking. Jurors report first day to Shelby County Office Building, 157 Poplar Ave, Jury Assembly Room #134.
- Public Transit
- Served by Memphis local bus and regional transit stops within 2 blocks of the main courthouse entrance. Warning: If arriving by Uber, Lyft, or bus at a phone-ban facility without lockers, do not bring prohibited electronics.
📋 Shelby County Jury Duty: Check-In & Postponement
To postpone: Complete the online qualification at ejuror.shelbycountytn.gov and choose a future week; if the system won't allow it, call the Jury Commission
Federal case instead? The federal courthouse in Memphis has its own rules: Odell Horton Federal Building.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (Shelby County)
Authority: Shelby County Judicial District Court Security Order · Verification: Could not be fully confirmed on an official source; call to confirm
| Rule / Amenity | Shelby County Policy | Quote from Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt | “Shelby County Jury Commission FAQ: "You may bring cell phones. They must be silenced during orientation and turned off prior to entering a courtroom."” |
| Cell phones banned | Phones banned · NO lockers at door | |
| Phone lockers at entrance | NO lockers — leave phone in vehicle | |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! | |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Paid parking (price not listed) · No designated juror parking; discounted private lots listed by Jury Commission (e.g., BEST PARK, 235 Adams Ave, $3) | “Shelby County Jury Commission FAQ (search excerpt): "There is no designated parking for jurors. The following parking lots are available at discounted rates for jurors; BEST PARK $3 - 235 Adams."” |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | |
| Security line wait times | ~18 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint |
Courthouse Buildings & Branch Annexes in Shelby County
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 201 Poplar Ave / 140 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38103 |
Banned for Public | No lockers | Validated free (Juror Parking Garage at 250 Washington Ave (Corner of Washington & 3rd St)) |
What to Know Before You Go to Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Shelby County are permitted to bring cell phones and laptops through the security checkpoint into the Jury Assembly Room. Show your printed Jury Summons to the Sheriff deputy at the magnetometer.
🚗 If You Have Traffic, Family, or Criminal Court
Litigants, defendants, and spectators are prohibited from bringing cell phones inside. Leave your phone, smartwatch, and AirPods locked inside your car out of sight. If you need text messages, photos, or insurance PDFs as courtroom evidence, print physical copies before arriving.
👔 Dress Code & Security Line
Peak morning screening (8:00 AM – 9:15 AM) takes ~18 minutes. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Remove belts, coins, and keychains before the magnetometer.
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in Shelby County, TN
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Shelby County, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my cell phone to Shelby County Courthouse in Memphis, TN?
No for the general public. Under Shelby County Judicial District Court Security Order, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis). However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt.
Does Shelby County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
NO. Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis) bans public cell phones and has NO storage lockers at the security checkpoint. Sheriff deputies will not hold your phone. If you arrive by Uber, Lyft, or bus with a phone, you will be denied entry.
Where do I park for jury duty at Shelby County Courthouse and is it free?
Free parking is not available directly at the courthouse (No designated juror parking; discounted private lots listed by Jury Commission (e.g., BEST PARK, 235 Adams Ave, $3) costs price not listed). Jury Commission does not reimburse parking. Jurors report first day to Shelby County Office Building, 157 Poplar Ave, Jury Assembly Room #134.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to Shelby County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Shelby County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 18-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 20 minutes before your court call). Dress code: Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms.
What happens if I am turned away at security and miss my Shelby County court call?
If a bailiff denies you entry because you brought a prohibited phone without a car or wore prohibited attire, missing your docket call in traffic or criminal court can result in a default conviction or a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant. Contact the Clerk at (901) 222-3500 or consult a local Shelby County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Sources
- www.shelbycountytn.gov/3399/Jury-FAQs
- www.shelbycountytn.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=497
- shelbycountytn.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=496
- shelbycountytn.gov/faq.aspx?TID=74
Before You Go
- Tennessee jury duty pay & laws
- Shelby County jury duty: reporting & postponement
- What to bring to jury duty
- What to bring to traffic court
- Prohibited items at security
- Postpone jury duty / check reporting status
- Jury duty scam calls
Other County Courthouses in Tennessee
- Davidson County (Nashville)
- Knox County (Knoxville)
- Rutherford County (Murfreesboro)
- Hamilton County (Chattanooga)
- Williamson County (Franklin)
- Montgomery County (Clarksville)
- Sumner County (Gallatin)
- All 8 Tennessee counties →
Last checked 2026-11-06. Administrative orders and security protocols can change by order of the Chief Judge or County Sheriff. Spot an update at Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis)? Submit a verified update.