Important distinction
This privacy policy applies to this website only. It does not govern attorney-client communications, case records, or information you share with SCPD attorneys and staff in the course of legal representation. Attorney-client communications are protected by attorney-client privilege and confidentiality rules, which are governed by the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct — not this policy.
Who We Are
The Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender is a government-funded public defender office in Memphis, Tennessee. We are responsible for this website at defendshelbyco.org. Questions about this policy can be directed to us at the contact information at the bottom of this page.
What Information We Collect
We collect two types of information through this website: information you give us directly, and information collected automatically when you visit.
Information you provide directly — if you contact us through a form, email, or phone number listed on this site, you may share personal information such as your name, phone number, email address, case number, or a description of your situation. We only use this information to respond to your inquiry and connect you with appropriate services.
Information collected automatically — like most websites, our site collects standard technical data when you visit: your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URL, pages visited, and time and date of your visit. This information is collected through server logs and, where applicable, analytics tools. We use this data only to understand how the site is used, fix technical problems, and improve accessibility and usability. We do not use it to identify individual visitors.
Cookies and Tracking
This website uses a minimal set of cookies necessary for the site to function correctly — for example, to remember your preferences or to enable certain interactive features. We do not use advertising cookies, cross-site tracking cookies, or third-party marketing trackers.
If we use analytics tools (such as Google Analytics), they are configured to anonymize IP addresses. We do not share analytics data with third parties for commercial purposes.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some site functionality, but will not prevent you from accessing our information or contacting us.
How We Use Information
We use the information collected on this website to:
- Respond to your inquiries and connect you with our services
- Improve the performance, usability, and accessibility of the website
- Identify and fix technical errors
- Understand which pages and resources are most useful to visitors
- Comply with legal obligations as a government office
We do not sell, rent, trade, or share your personal information with third parties for commercial purposes. We do not use your information for targeted advertising or profiling.
When We May Share Information
As a government office, we may be required to share information in certain circumstances:
- Legal requirements — we may disclose information when required by law, court order, or other legal process.
- Service providers — we work with vendors who help operate and maintain this website (such as web hosting and analytics providers). These vendors process data on our behalf and are bound by contractual obligations to protect it.
- Emergency situations — if we have reason to believe that disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of any person, we may share information as appropriate.
We never share attorney-client information through this website. If you are a current or former client of this office, your case information is governed by separate confidentiality obligations under Tennessee law and the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Third-Party Links and Services
This website contains links to external websites — including court systems, government agencies, legal aid organizations, and community resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external site before sharing personal information.
Our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are subject to the privacy policies of those platforms, which are separate from this policy.
Children's Privacy
This website is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it promptly.
Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the information we collect from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. Our website is served over HTTPS. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
If you need to share sensitive personal information with us — such as details about your case, medical history, or financial situation — we recommend doing so by phone or in person rather than through web forms or email.
Your Rights
Depending on applicable law, you may have the right to:
- Request access to personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your information, subject to legal retention requirements
- Object to or restrict processing of your information in certain circumstances
To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information below. We will respond within a reasonable time and in accordance with applicable law.
Tennessee Open Records
As a government office, certain records we maintain may be subject to public disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503 et seq.). However, many records maintained by this office — including attorney-client communications and case files — are specifically exempt from public disclosure as privileged legal records. If you have a public records request, contact our administrative office at (901) 222-2800.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact
For questions, concerns, or requests related to this privacy policy:
Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender
201 Poplar Ave, Suite 2-01
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-2800
Email: publicdefender@shelbycountytn.org
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm