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
⚠️ 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
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- Juror Parking Garage at 250 Washington Ave (Corner of Washington & 3rd St)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated Shelby County Juror Garage in downtown Memphis. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- 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.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (Shelby County)
Authority: Shelby County Judicial District Court Security Order · Verification: Official .gov Administrative Order + Sheriff Security Desk Verification
| Rule / Amenity | Shelby County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt | “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."” |
| Cell phones banned | Phones banned · NO lockers at door | “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."” |
| Phone lockers at entrance | NO lockers — leave phone in vehicle | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Free validated parking · Juror Parking Garage at 250 Washington Ave (Corner of Washington & 3rd St) | “Jury Summons Instructions (Shelby County): "Jurors receive free validated parking at Juror Parking Garage at 250 Washington Ave (Corner of Washington & 3rd St). Bring your parking stub inside to the Jury Assembly Room for validation—do not park at 2-hour street meters."” |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | “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."” |
| Security line wait times | ~18 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (18 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | “Courtroom Decorum Order (Shelby County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint | “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."” |
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)) |
| Shelby County Traffic & Misdemeanor Annex Traffic, Small Claims & Branch Court · Annex Facility, Memphis, TN 38103 |
Banned for Public | No lockers on site | Surface lot / metered street parking around annex |
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?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at Juror Parking Garage at 250 Washington Ave (Corner of Washington & 3rd St). Park in the designated Shelby County Juror Garage in downtown Memphis. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
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.
Before You Go
- Tennessee jury duty pay & laws
- 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 2026-11-04. 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.