The Criminal Court Clerk is responsible for administration of the ten different divisions within the Thirtieth Judicial District in Shelby County. Each division handles cases involving robbery, murder, assault, embezzlement and other criminal acts. No other county in Tennessee handles more cases each year, averaging about 13,000 indictments involving 17,000 defendants.

Mr. Key, who took office in September 1994, oversees a staff of approximately 100 employees.  Prior to being elected Criminal Court Clerk, Mr. Key served the citizens of Shelby County as a Memphis police officer; an administrative assistant to the Juvenile Court Judge, where he was responsible for administrative procedures and supervision involving nine departments; Director of Memphis and Shelby Country Youth Guidance School (also known as Tall Trees), where he was responsible for the administration and supervision of the school; Director of Student Financial Aid at Christian Brothers College; teacher and coach at Hillcrest High School where he taught Economics, American History, Psychology, and also coached basketball and interscholastic sports.