Tennessee Courthouses Safe for Uber & Transit Riders (2026)

Short answer: At Shelby County (Memphis), Davidson County (Nashville), Knox County (Knoxville), Rutherford County (Murfreesboro), security will deny you entry if you have a phone and no car to store it in. Arriving late to traffic or criminal court due to a rejected phone can result in a Failure to Appear (FTA) bench warrant. Updated 2026-11-04

0 of 8 county courthouses in Tennessee are safe for visitors arriving by Uber, Lyft, or public transit (either allowing phones inside or providing lobby lockers). However, 8 courthouses are an "Uber Trap"—they ban cell phones at the door and have zero lockers on site. 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 CourthouseCityUber & bus rider safe (no car)Phone LockersJuror Parking
Shelby County
Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center (201 Poplar) & Shelby County Courthouse (Memphis)
“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."”
 Memphis TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! No lockers Free Validated
Davidson County
Davidson County Courthouse (Nashville)
“Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Davidson County Courthouse (Nashville)): "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."”
 Nashville TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! No lockers Free Validated
Knox County
Knox County Courthouse (Knoxville)
“Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Knox County Courthouse (Knoxville)): "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."”
 Knoxville TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! No lockers Free Validated
Rutherford County
Rutherford County Courthouse (Murfreesboro)
“Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Rutherford County Courthouse (Murfreesboro)): "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."”
 Murfreesboro TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! No lockers Free Validated
Hamilton County
Hamilton County Courthouse (Chattanooga)
“Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Hamilton County Courthouse (Chattanooga)): "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."”
 Chattanooga TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! No lockers Free Validated
Williamson County
Williamson County Courthouse (Franklin)
“Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Williamson County Courthouse (Franklin)): "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."”
 Franklin TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! No lockers Free Validated
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Courthouse (Clarksville)
“Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Montgomery County Courthouse (Clarksville)): "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."”
 Clarksville TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! No lockers Free Validated
Sumner County
Sumner County Courthouse (Gallatin)
“Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Sumner County Courthouse (Gallatin)): "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."”
 Gallatin TRAP: Phones banned & NO lockers at door! 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I take an Uber to court in Tennessee and phones are banned?

At Shelby County (Memphis), Davidson County (Nashville), Knox County (Knoxville), Rutherford County (Murfreesboro), security will deny you entry if you have a phone and no car to store it in. Arriving late to traffic or criminal court due to a rejected phone can result in a Failure to Appear (FTA) bench warrant.

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.

More Courthouse Rules in Tennessee

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