Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk

Happy Pride Month from the Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office! 🏳️‍🌈

This month, we are celebrating the lives, history, and brilliance of LGBTQIA+ people in Shelby County and around the world.

Catch our community engagement team outside at the Tri-State Black Pride Community Educational Summit, Job Fair, and Business Expo on June 19th!

Despite the clouds, there’s hope in Memphis for a bright future! 🌅

Join the General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office community engagement team TODAY at Memphis Hope Fest from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM!

Our team will be providing onsite expungement screenings for eligible Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court misdemeanors. If you’re planning to stop by for a screening, please make sure you bring current identification and any information you have about your case.

Earlier today, Clerk Tami Sawyer delivered the Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office’s budget presentation at the Shelby County Board of Commissioners’ FY27 budget hearing.

Our office requested no additional operating funds for FY27. Clerk Sawyer’s only ask: A 5% salary increase for all SCG civil service employees, up from the proposed 1% salary increase.

“The Economist wrote this week that gas will be $5 per gallon in the next 30 days. We know that the people who make up Shelby County Government, over 6000 employees, are also the people who are most impacted by the economic state of this country right now,” Clerk Sawyer said.

“A 1% proposed salary increased is actually a negative salary increase for our team.

We ask that this body consider a 5% increase or more for all civil service employees.”

Watch our full budget presentation on the Board of Commissioners’ YouTube stream.

🗓️ Memorial Day Court Schedule Update ⚖️

Mark your calendars! The Shelby County General Sessioks Court Clerk’s Office and the Shelby County General Sessions Civil Court will be closed on Monday, May 25 for the Memorial Day holiday!

General Sessions Criminal Court will hold Holiday court on May 25. Subscribe to our newsletter for email updates, and view our full calendar here: https://www.shelbygeneralsessions.com/calendar.aspx?EID=215

Clerk Sawyer joined elected and appointed clerks from across Tennessee at the State Clerks Association Spring Conference, an inspiring, innovation‑focused week of learning, connection, and collaboration.

We're excited for Clerk's return because we know she'll be bringing back fresh ideas to strengthen our court operations and better serve our community.

Special shoutout to Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry and Clerk and Master Aaron Hall of the Shelby County Chancery Court Clerk’s Office for their partnership and camaraderie!

Happy Mother’s Day! 💐

We were honored to celebrate the incredible mothers of the General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office with a special Mother’s Day treat. 💙

Mothers are so often our first teachers, showing us what justice, compassion, and community look like long before we enter the workplace. Their example guides the way we serve Shelby County every day.

To every mother and mother figure on our team: thank you for the strength, heart, and steady leadership you bring to this office. We appreciate you more than words can say. 💛⚖️

We’re thrilled to celebrate our Chief Administrative Officer, Christopher Thomas, for earning the prestigious Certified Public Administrator (CPA) designation from the University of Tennessee!

To achieve this honor, Chief Thomas completed 115 credit hours in UT’s County Officials Certificate Training Program (COCTP), an intensive statewide program administered by the UT County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS).

The program strengthens county leaders through coursework in ethics, records management, finance, proactive leadership, IT proficiency, and more. Each class is designed to help officials deliver county services with greater skill, transparency, and accountability.

Please join us in congratulating Chief Thomas on this milestone and in honoring his commitment to building the knowledge, ability, and mindset needed to serve our community with excellence. 💛💙⚖️

Beginning this week, as part of ongoing updates in the Shelby County General Sessions Court, several General Sessions Criminal Court divisions and judicial chambers will operate from new locations.

Updated signage has been installed throughout the courthouse. We appreciate the understanding of our public, community, and legal partners as these improvements move forward.

For a full list of relocations, please visit this link: https://www.shelbygeneralsessions.com/calendar.aspx?EID=213