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MEMPHIS CRIME BEAT · PUBLIC EDUCATION
Understanding the Criminal Justice System
Clear explanations, practical guides, and trusted public resources to help Memphians understand how the justice system works.
01 / LEARN
Understanding the Criminal Justice System
Every case follows its own path. These are the major stages you may encounter when following a criminal case in Shelby County.
Arrest & initial proceedings
A person may be arrested and brought before a court. Charges, release conditions, and other early decisions may be addressed.
Charging & prosecution
Prosecutors determine how to proceed. In felony cases, an indictment may be part of the process.
Hearings, pleas & trial
Cases may involve multiple hearings, continuances, negotiated pleas, or trial. Outcomes differ from case to case.
Disposition & sentencing
A case disposition describes how charges were resolved. A sentence may include incarceration, probation, or other court-ordered conditions.
See the complete picture
Explore Life of a Crime →Our Life of a Crime framework connects each stage and helps explain what MCB studies.
02 / COURTROOM GUIDE
Common Courtroom Terms
Short definitions of language you may hear in a criminal courtroom. Select a term to learn more.
Arraignment
A court proceeding where a defendant is formally informed of charges and may enter a plea, depending on the stage and court.
Bond / Bail
Conditions set for release while a case is pending. Depending on the circumstances, release may involve a financial amount and other restrictions.
Continuance
When a court hearing or other proceeding is postponed to a later date.
Indictment
A formal accusation returned by a grand jury. It is not a finding of guilt.
Disposition
The outcome or resolution of a charge or case, such as dismissal, guilty plea, or trial verdict.
Nolle prosequi
A prosecutor's decision not to proceed with a charge at that time, subject to applicable legal rules.
Plea agreement
An agreement between prosecution and defense about resolving charges, subject to the court's role in accepting a plea.
Probation / Suspended sentence
A sentence or supervision arrangement that may allow a person to remain in the community under court-ordered conditions.
These explanations are for general education, not legal advice. Procedures vary by case and court.
03 / OFFICIAL SOURCES
Public Records & Helpful Links
Official resources can help you follow a case or find context for crime and court data.
FEATURED RESOURCE
Shelby County Criminal Justice System Portal
The county's Criminal Justice System (CJS) portal is a starting point for looking up available criminal case histories and hearing schedules. Access to some features requires registration and sign-in.
Visit the Criminal Justice Portal ↗Official external website · Information and access may change
How to use the portal
- Open the official portal using the button.
- Register or sign in if prompted to access case-history or hearing-search features.
- Choose the appropriate search for case history or hearing schedules.
- Enter the information you have, such as a case number or name, using the portal's available fields.
- Review the results carefully. Check case numbers and hearing dates; entries may change and may not tell the entire story.
Need help? Look for instructions on the portal itself or contact the appropriate court office.
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk
Find official information about Criminal Court offices, procedures, and records.
Visit Shelby County Government ↗Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Explore statewide crime reporting resources and the context behind reported crime statistics.
Visit TBI ↗Memphis Crime Beat Data
Read MCB's reports and see how we examine crime, custody, courts, and outcomes.
Explore MCB Data →LOCAL DATA / EXTERNAL RESOURCE
Local Criminal Justice Data & Reports
Explore publicly available information published by local criminal justice agencies.
Shelby County District Attorney — Monthly Data Dashboard
Explore monthly prosecution statistics and information about case activity, processing, and outcomes in Shelby County. This resource is maintained by the District Attorney's Office.
View Monthly Reports ↗External website · Shelby County District Attorney's Office
04 / QUICK ANSWERS
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions people commonly have when following criminal cases.
Does an arrest mean someone is guilty?
No. An arrest is not a conviction. A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty under the law.
What is the difference between a charge and a conviction?
A charge is an accusation. A conviction is a legal finding of guilt or the result of an accepted guilty plea.
Why do court dates sometimes change?
Hearings may be continued for many reasons, including scheduling, evidence review, attorney preparation, or other case-specific matters.
What is a case disposition?
It is the way a charge or case is resolved. A disposition may be a dismissal, guilty plea, verdict, or another outcome.
What does it mean when a case is pending?
A pending case has not yet reached a final resolution for the relevant charge or proceeding.
Can I attend a criminal court hearing?
Many criminal court proceedings are open to the public, but access may be limited by law, court order, or courtroom rules. Follow courthouse security and courtroom instructions.
Where can I find a court date or case history?
Start with the Shelby County Criminal Justice System Portal featured above. Information may require an account, and schedules can change.
What does Memphis Crime Beat do with court information?
MCB observes public proceedings and examines available crime and court data to identify patterns, promote transparency, and support informed public discussion.
Does a case being dismissed mean no crime occurred?
Not necessarily. A dismissal is a legal outcome; the reasons vary, and the disposition alone does not establish everything that happened.
Can Memphis Crime Beat give me legal advice?
No. MCB provides public education and data, not legal representation or advice about an individual case.
05 / TAKE PART
Stay informed. Help make the system clearer.
Explore our Court Watch program or receive new reports and educational updates from Memphis Crime Beat.