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Community Services - Justice Initiatives

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1. How do I find out if someone is in jail and/or been arrested?

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has a website https://imljail.shelbycountytn.gov/IML that will allow you to look up individuals to check whether or not they are in custody. You must have the person’s full name (correct spelling); having their date of birth is helpful but not required.

You may also call 901-222-4700. Again, you will need the person’s full name (correct spelling).

2. How do I find out the bond for someone in custody?

Visit https://shelbysheriff.org/injail.html or call 901-222-4700.

3. How do I find my court date?

Call 901-222-3600 or 901-222-3500. Or visit https://cjs.shelbycountytn.gov

4. Do I qualify for expungement of records?

You qualify for expungement if you have all of the following:

• You must have no other convictions anywhere other than the one to be expunged.
• You must have completed all terms of imprisonment, probation, or parole. At least five (5) years must have elapsed since the completion of the sentence imposed for the offense. If the sentence included probation or parole, the sentence was completed at the end of the probation or parole.
• You must have met all conditions of supervised or unsupervised release, such as parole, probation, or community service, as evidenced by an official statement from the agency responsible for supervising your release, such as the State parole officer, the State or County probation or community service agency.
• You must have paid all fines, court costs, and other assessments.
• You must have completed payment of any restitution and provide evidence of the payment(s).
• The conviction must be for either a Class E felony included in the inclusion list attached or a misdemeanor that is NOT included in the exclusion list attached.
• If so required by the conditions of the sentence imposed, you must have remained free from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance or other prohibited substance for a period of not less than one (1) year.
• You must pay a fee of $280 to the Clerk of the Court where the conviction was entered at the time of filing the Petition

 

5. What cases qualify for expungement?

• Dismissed (no cost)
• Nolle Prosequi (no cost)
• Diversion ($100)
• Release without Charge (no cost)
• Record of Conviction – 1 Guilty Plea ($100)

The following cases do not qualify for expungement:

• Assault
• DUI
• Sexual Offenses

6. How long does it take for my expunged records to clear the system?

It takes 60 working days from the date the judge signs the order.

7. How do I get started on the expungement process?

To get started on the process, you can:

• Go to the link below and submit a form https://documents.shelbycountytn.gov/AppNet/UnityForm.aspx?key=UFSessionIDKey
• Complete the expungement questionnaire and bring it to 201 Poplar, LL-81 or The Walter Bailey Justice Center.
• Complete the expungement questionnaire and mail it to: 
  • Criminal Court P.O. Box 3464 Memphis, TN 38173
• Contact General Sessions Criminal Court at 901-222-3500.

8. How do I report someone who has violated their probation or conditional release?

If they violated their probation due to committing another crime, you should contact the Memphis Police Department or the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to file a report of the crime. Probation and/or the conditional release will be addressed based on the new charges.

9. How do I sign up to become a community service site or perform community service?

If you would like to become a site provider there are three (3) ways to contact this office:

• Call Ms. Conssandra Eddins, Supervisor at 901-222-4000 to have an application mailed to you.
• Visit the website at https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/261/Become-a-Community-Service-Work-Site where you can print a copy of the application. 
• Stop by the office located at 201 Poplar Ave, Suite 8-01; Memphis, TN 38103 between the hours of 8:00a and 4:00p to pick up an application.

If you are a member of the community and would like to sign up to complete community service, you must report in person to the office located at 201 Poplar Ave, Suite 8-01; Memphis, TN  38103 between the hours of 8:00a and 4:00p.  Bring documentation outlining the reason for community service (i.e. court order, community referral, etc.).

10. If I have a nonviolent offense, can I call the Office of Justice Initiatives for help?

We can help if you are seeking release for someone in custody or need to complete a court requirement. For legal advice, you will need to contact your attorney.

11. How do I access mental health treatment in the community if I don’t have insurance?

The Behavioral Health Unit networks with agencies such as Alliance Healthcare Services and Case Management, Inc. Both agencies accommodate clients without insurance by enrolling them in a program called Safety Net. Safety Net is a state funded program that covers behavioral health treatment for the uninsured.

12. How can I receive assistance from the Mental Health Advocate Program?

All participants receiving services from the Mental Health Advocate Program are referred by an attorney. The Advocates assist with the release from incarceration and establish community supports for participants who are enrolled. Those case are monitored by the advocate until the case is dismissed.

13. How do I enroll in Mental Health Court?

The client is referred by their attorney (public defender or private attorney) if their case is eligible for diversion.

14. What are the criteria for Mental Health Court?

The client has to have a documented mental health diagnosis. Also, the client’s case has to be a misdemeanor or a nonviolent crime.

15. How do I obtain services through the Criminal Justice Liaison Program (CJL)?

All clients enrolled in the CJL Program are referred by their attorney (public defender or private attorney). Most of the clients referred into CJL have Criminal Court Cases and are eligible for probation.

16. Where will I go if I have a mental health crisis and need assistance, but I am uninsured?

The Crisis Stabilization Unit at Memphis Mental Health Institute takes walk-ins daily. They will evaluate the client to determine your level of need. If the client presents unstable and willing to receive treatment, they will be admitted to become stable on mental health medications. Follow-up treatment can be obtained through the following agencies: Alliance Healthcare Services and Case Management, Inc.

17. Where will I go if I have a mental health crisis and need assistance, but I have insurance?

Lakeside Behavioral Health Systems and Delta Medical Center takes walk-ins in their intake department. They will evaluate the client to determine your level of need. If the client presents unstable and willing to receive treatment, they will be admitted to become stable on mental health medications. Follow-up treatment can be obtained through the following agencies: Alliance Healthcare Services and Case Management, Inc.

18. What is the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program?

The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) identifies individuals at a high risk of overdose and effectively diverts victims away from the criminal justice system and into substance abuse treatment.

19. What is an Opioid?

Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain.

20. What is the Opioid Crisis and what does it have to do with Shelby County?

In 2018, Shelby County had 123 opioid overdose deaths. Among new heroin users, approximately 75% report abusing prescription opioids prior to using heroin. In 2018, Tennessee had over 6 million opioid prescriptions filled for pain. Opioid addiction can happen to anyone.

21. How does one become eligible for COAP services?

Any individual who thinks they may have, or has, an opioid addiction is eligible.

22. How do I obtain substance abuse treatment services through the COAP program?

Individuals seeking services could contact the Center for Addition Science at UT Medicine and ask to be connected with an Addiction Peer Recovery Specialist at 901-866-8630 or visit the center at 6401 Poplar #500 Memphis, TN 38119. Individuals seeking services can also be referred from local hospitals, first responders, pre-trial, corrections, law enforcement, and other agencies.

23. Where will I go if I feel like I have an opioid addiction and need assistance, but I am uninsured?

The COAP program serves insured and uninsured individuals. Patients will be referred to First Step Recovery Centers for assistance, if uninsured. The COAP offers some support services and treatment may be paid while the individual is being assisted with securing insurance.

24. If I know someone who may be suffering from this substance use disorder and need someone else to reach out to, who do I contact?

Contact the Tennessee REDLINE @ 1-800-889-9789.

25. What is The Pursuit Center?

The Pursuit Center is a program designed to offer youth an experience grounded in creating a mindset for cultivating positive social relationships, progressing academic goals, and developing career readiness skills by reducing the amount of delinquent activity that is occurring in our communities.

26. Who qualifies to participate in The Pursuit Center?

Youth that are brought before a judge/magistrate; Youth who are currently on pre-adjudicatory electronic monitoring devices; Youth who are referred to the Pursuit Center by a probation officer in the Children’s Bureau based on the 1^st and 2^nd contact with Juvenile court. The participants can be referred to the Pursuit Center in lieu of Juvenile Detention center and the Memphis and Shelby County Juvenile Court Children’s Bureau.

27. How long is The Pursuit Center program?

Participants will be placed in cohorts and each cohort will participate for one 20 –day cycle. Participants are required to attend the program 5 days a week from 4:00 pm -7:45 pm.

28. Is transportation provided to The Pursuit Center?

Transportation is provided for students that align with the TN Student Transportation Law and/or Shelby County Schools guidelines for transportation.

29. Where is the Pursuit Center located?

The Pursuit Center is at Carver, 3^rd floor, 1591 Pennsylvania Street, Memphis, TN 38109.

30. What are some of the activities the students will participate in?

The program consists of tutoring in core academic areas such as English and Math; mental health and intensive mentoring services aimed at cultivating positive social interaction; and diverting the students from destructive behaviors.