Shelby County Courts Reopening Update June 1, 2020

COVID-19 and Shelby County, TN Courts

Thank you to the Memphis Bar Association for this announcement from the 30th Judicial District (Shelby County Courts):

For more details, see this PDF file.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has approved the 30th Judicial District’s plan to re-open in-court proceedings for civil, criminal, juvenile, general sessions and municipal courts.  Since the courts are located in various courthouses, each courthouse has its own protocol for entry into their respective buildings; the Sheriff has set the requirements to safely enter each courthouse.

The general rules for coming into the Shelby County Courthouse are:

1. All persons coming into the courthouse must wear a face covering.  If they appear without a covering, one will be provided.
2. No more than 10 persons will allowed in any courtroom at any time, excluding the judge, court personnel and court security.
3. Social distancing of 6 feet will be required throughout the courthouse.
4. Only litigants will be allowed in the courthouse; no spectators or friends will be permitted.
5. All litigants and attorneys should be able to enter the courthouse at any of the existing guarded entrances. There will not be a separate door for General Sessions litigants to enter and exit the courthouse as proposed in the General Sessions plan.
6. All courts are encouraged to conduct as much business as possible by other means, rather than in-court proceedings.

Shelby County Courthouse

The complete document, which includes the plans of the individual courts (Circuit, Chancery, Probate, General Sessions Civil & Criminal), Juvenile, and Criminal) and the municipal courts (Memphis, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, & Millington) as well as the Sheriff’s Office plan for reopening can be found on the MBA’s website under COVID resources.

Online Uncontested Divorce & Motion Portals for Circuit Court
Circuit Court has opened the online Uncontested Divorce and Motion portals to allow matters to be set easier.  Each Division has posted on the Circuit Court website, their preferences on how matters will be disposed.  There will be NO in-person Uncontested Divorces or Motions at this time.