In Which Court am I Supposed to be...,
Criminal Court handles cases involving assault, embezzlement,
murder, robbery, and other such criminal acts.
- General Sessions Criminal Court
General Sessions Criminal Court maintains the records and funds
for the General Sessions Civil Court, General Sessions Criminal Court, Drug
Court, Shelby County Traffic Court and Shelby County's Environmental
Court.
Civil Courts
Chancery Court is a superior court of general original
jurisdiction of all cases of an equitable nature. These cases include, but are
not limited to:
- Actions between partners
- Actions for an accounting
- Actions for breach of contract
- Actions for enforcement of liens
- Actions for equitable attachment and appointment of receivers
- Actions for injunctive relief
- Actions for specific performance
- Actions resulting from fraud
- Actions resulting from trusts
- Actions to remove clouds and/or quiet title
Pursuant
to certain specific state statutes, Chancery Court also has concurrent
jurisdiction with Circuit Court to hear other types of
actions, such as the following
- Adoptions
- Declaratory judgments
- Delinquent tax sales
- Divorces
- Enforcement of arbitration awards
- Habeas corpus
|
- Mandamus
- Public nuisances
- Removal of public officers
- Replevins
- Usury
- Worker’s compensation
|
Note:
Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction to hear actions for injuries to person
or character and injuries to property not resulting from a breach of
contract.
Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction consisting of
nine judges presiding over nine divisions. The court hears a variety of civil
cases, including:
- Appeals from lower courts
- Auto accident
- Condemnation
- Divorce
- Medical malpractice
- Minor settlement
- Personal injury
- Worker's compensation
- Wrongful death
The
Shelby
County Board of Commissioners funds the circuit court clerk's office, along
with revenue generated by fees for service, as directed by the Tennessee Code Annotated. The clerks of Circuit Court accept
the filing of lawsuits, create case files, and input data to our court
management computer system.
Circuit
Court continues to monitor new cases by accepting additional pleadings and
filings, and scheduling cases for motions, hearings, and trials. Approximately
6,000 cases are filed annually.
- General Session Civil Court
General Sessions Civil Court maintains the records and funds
for the General Sessions Civil Court, It has jurisdiction in the following
actions:
- Civil Cases up to $25,000
- Forcible entry detainer actions (evictions)
- Action to recover personal property
- Emergency mental commitments
- Denial petitions for handgun permits
- Drug Dealer eviction program
Probate
Court oversees the following:
- Conservatorships
- Corrections to birth certificates
- Guardianships
- Judicial hospitalization under the Mental Health Law
- Name changes
- Passports
- Wills and Estates
Courts of other Jurisdiction
- Memphis and
Shelby County Juvenile Court
- Assessment screening for juveniles detained for serious offenses
- Evaluation referrals for youth affected by mental health issues and
substance abuse
|
|