Memphis Busted Mugshots
Memphis busted mugshots come from the Shelby County jail system, which processes roughly 56,000 bookings each year. That makes it the busiest jail in Tennessee by a wide margin. The Memphis Police Department handles most arrests in the city, and all booking photos go through the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. You can search for Memphis mugshots through the county's online inmate lookup tool or by filing a public records request with the police department's Records Division at 170 N. Main Street. The Shelby County jail at 201 Poplar Avenue holds male inmates, and the women's facility sits at 6201 Haley Road. Both are open around the clock for booking and intake.
Memphis Quick Facts
Shelby County Inmate Lookup for Memphis
The main way to find Memphis busted mugshots is through the Shelby County inmate lookup tool. This is a free search tool run by the county. You can look up any person who has been booked into the Shelby County jail. The tool is live at imljail.shelbycountytn.gov and works any time of day.
To use it, just type in a first and last name. You can also search by booking number, state ID, or permanent number. There is an option to include people who have been released, which helps if you are looking for older Memphis mugshot records. Search results show the person's name, booking number, booking date, charges, and bond amount. Court dates may also appear in the record. The system updates in real time as new bookings come in at the Shelby County jail.
The Shelby County jail holds about 2,600 inmates on any given day. Male inmates stay at 201 Poplar Avenue in downtown Memphis. Female inmates go to 6201 Haley Road. The Tennessee Corrections Institute re-certified the jail in December 2025, so it meets state standards for operations and record keeping.
Memphis Police Mugshot Records
The Memphis Police Department also keeps arrest records and booking photos. Their Records Division is at 170 N. Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103. You can reach them at 901-636-3650. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
To get a copy of a Memphis mugshot or arrest report, you need to file a formal public records request. Tennessee law under T.C.A. § 10-7-503 gives you the right to inspect public records. That includes booking photos in most cases. The department has 7 business days to respond to your request. Fees apply for copies of reports and records.
Memphis police make thousands of arrests each year. All people arrested in Memphis go to the Shelby County jail for booking and processing. The mugshot is taken at the jail, not at the police station. So even though Memphis police make the arrest, the booking photo ends up in the Shelby County system.
How to Search Memphis Busted Mugshots
There are a few ways to find busted mugshots in Memphis. The fastest is the online inmate search. But you have other options too.
- Use the Shelby County inmate lookup at imljail.shelbycountytn.gov
- Call the Shelby County jail at (901) 222-5500
- Visit the Memphis Police Records Division in person
- Submit a written public records request to the police department
- Search the Tennessee Felony Offender lookup at tn.gov for state inmates
Keep in mind that the Shelby County online tool shows current inmates and recent releases. If you need older Memphis mugshot records, you may have to contact the Records Division directly. The Shelby County Division of Corrections also keeps records for post-conviction offenders serving sentences up to 12 years. Felons get monthly credits that can cut their time. Misdemeanor offenders serve half their sentence unless a judge says otherwise.
The Memphis open data portal at data.memphistn.gov has some arrest data you can download in different formats. It does not include mugshot photos, but it can help you find case details and dates that make it easier to pull the actual booking photo from the county system.
Memphis Wanted Persons and Mugshots
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office runs a Fugitive Division that posts most wanted lists on their website at shelby-sheriff.org. These listings include mugshots and charges for people with active warrants in the Memphis area. Tips can be sent in to help with arrests. Anonymous tips are accepted and rewards may be offered.
The Fugitive Division works around the clock. They handle bench warrants and extradition for out-of-state warrants too. If you see a Memphis mugshot on a wanted list and have information, you can call the division directly. This is separate from the general inmate search tool.
State Resources for Memphis Arrest Records
Beyond the local systems, Tennessee has state databases that cover Memphis arrests. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal history records for the whole state. You can request a TBI background check for $29 through authorized fingerprinting vendors. Results come back in 24 to 72 hours for electronic submissions. The TBI tracks all arrests reported by law enforcement agencies across Tennessee, including Memphis.
The TBI also runs the Sex Offender Registry at tn.gov. You can search by name, address, or area to find registered offenders in Memphis. Under T.C.A. § 40-39-101, offenders must update their info within 48 hours of any change.
For people serving time in state prison after a Memphis conviction, use the TDOC Felony Offender Information Lookup. It shows current status, location, and sentence details for anyone in the Tennessee Department of Correction system. Search results may include mugshots when they are in the system.
Note: The TDOC system does not include county jail inmates or misdemeanor offenders from Memphis.
Memphis Mugshot Public Records Law
Tennessee's Public Records Act makes most government records open to the public. That includes arrest records and booking photos from Memphis. Under T.C.A. § 10-7-503, you have the right to look at and copy public records held by any state, county, or city agency. The Office of Open Records Counsel can help if an agency denies your request.
There are some exceptions. Records that are sealed or expunged cannot be accessed. Juvenile records are not public. Active investigation files may be withheld under T.C.A. § 10-7-504. But standard booking photos and arrest records from Memphis are public in most cases. Agencies must respond within 7 business days. They can charge for copies, but fees are limited to the actual cost of making them.
Shelby County Busted Mugshots
Memphis is the county seat of Shelby County. All arrests in Memphis go through the Shelby County jail for booking and mugshot processing. Shelby County is the largest county in Tennessee with about 930,000 residents. For the full county jail roster, inmate search details, and other Shelby County resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Tennessee Cities
These cities are near Memphis or share the same county. Pick one to find busted mugshots and arrest records for that area.