MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County has announced that delinquency and detention hearings scheduled to resume on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, will be virtual due to a lack of transportation from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).
After a five-month closure of the court at 616 Adams due to environmental concerns, the court had planned to restart all in-person hearings. This change was communicated to the SCSO at the end of September, and further discussions were held in early October. However, SCSO has informed the court that it will not be able to transport youth to their hearings due to staffing shortages and budget constraints.
In a letter received by Chief Judicial Officer Erica M. Evans on Friday afternoon, Oct. 11, SCSO attorney Allan Wade indicated that the Sheriff’s Office could not provide transportation to 616 Adams.
“SCSO acknowledges receipt of your email; however, it incorrectly assumes that SCSO has consented to transportation,” stated Wade.
Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon attempted to resolve the issue by speaking with Sheriff Floyd Bonner, but the sheriff reiterated that staffing shortages would prevent the necessary transportation.
Dr. Stephanie Hill, Chief Administrative Officer of Juvenile Court, expressed concern over the sudden change.
“This last-minute decision to cancel transportation for youth hearings is putting a burden on the youth, parents, and attorneys,” she said. The court is actively informing families and legal representatives about this change and will continue to seek solutions with the SCSO.
Because of SCSO's decision, the court has opted to conduct delinquency and detention hearings virtually on Monday.
More than 150 cases, including those related to dependency and neglect, custody, and child support, will also be affected. The Rule 208/Transfer docket will remain at the Youth Justice and Education Center, where no transportation is needed.
Over the past months, the Juvenile Court and SCSO have engaged in discussions about the transition of the Youth Justice and Detention Center to Juvenile Court, working towards a collaborative plan that accommodates both entities.