Public Affairs Division
The Public Affairs Division is the central communications hub for the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. Our mission is to ensure that the public remains informed about the Office’s work to enhance public safety, deliver justice, and support crime prevention and accountability efforts across Shelby County.
What We Do
Inform the Public: We communicate the DA’s Office’s priorities, initiatives, and case outcomes through accessible and transparent messaging.
Support Media Relations: We serve as the primary point of contact for all media inquiries, coordinating interviews, providing timely statements, and organizing press conferences.
Advise Leadership: We provide strategic guidance to the District Attorney and senior staff on all aspects of public messaging and crisis communication.
Coordinate Communications: We work with internal units and external partners to ensure consistent, accurate, and timely messaging across platforms.
Maintain Transparency: We ensure that public communications comply with legal and ethical standards, safeguarding ongoing investigations, the rights of individuals, and community trust.
Our Responsibilities
Draft and distribute press releases and public statements
Manage press conferences and media events
Respond to journalist inquiries and coordinate interviews
Review and approve public-facing content from internal departments
Maintain digital content across official channels, including social media and the DA’s website
Our Commitment
We are committed to delivering clear, accurate, and respectful communication. We believe that public trust begins with transparency—and that timely, fact-based communication is essential to fostering community confidence in the justice system.
If you are a member of the working media and would like an interview with the District Attorney or you need information on a certain case please contact media@scdag.com.
Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, excluding holidays.
Public Affairs Director | Erica Williams | 901.222.1337
Expectations for Media
Media outlets can expect:
A response/answer (same day if possible and within a reasonable amount of time as possible). This can even include informing the outlet that “at this time we do not have an answer to your request but will continue pursuit.”
To ensure accuracy and to assist with the facilitation of details and information it is necessary for the Communications Office to seek answers to the following:
What is your deadline? (Hard Deadline or Soft). The Communications Office will set appropriate expectations as to whether or not this deadline is reasonable.
What is the story about? (Expect several follow-up questions about this).
Be mindful with requests requiring interdepartmental research or other such complex requests that involve comprehensive attention. Expecting a short turnaround time on such requests is not reasonable and will be communicated by Communications Office.
A request late in the afternoon that requires significant research and/or coordination will be handled the following day unless circumstances warrant otherwise.
For interview requests, we ask for a 24-48 hour lead time (unless breaking news). This allows for scheduling and to ensure that the interviewee is prepared.
The Communications Office does not handle public records requests. These requests should be made to the Clerk’s Office or public records director.
Policy for Media Requests for Public Records or Data
All data requests must be submitted either through our office’s formal Public Records Request procedure or directly through the clerk's office. This ensures the delivery of accurate, verified information within a structured timeframe.
While we understand the importance of deadlines, please note that our office is actively managing hundreds of thousands of cases across our team of 120 prosecutors. Given this volume, it is not feasible to fulfill ad hoc data requests outside the established process. In rare instances where certain information is readily available, we may be able to provide it directly, but this cannot be guaranteed.
To manage expectations and uphold accuracy, please submit all data requests through the standardized Public Records Request process.
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WHO TO CONTACT
When to Contact the DA’s Office:
To confirm charges filed, case status (e.g. if the DA’s Office has taken up the case), or details about plea deals, trial dates, or sentencing outcomes
For official statements on high-profile cases
To request press releases, public records held by the DA’s Office, or interviews with prosecutors
If the case involves a sensitive issue (e.g., juvenile court, domestic violence, public integrity) and requires context or comment
Example: “Has your office filed charges in the [Suspect Name] case?”
When to Contact MPD (Memphis Police Department):
For arrest details, police incident reports, mugshots, or initial probable cause affidavits
For updates on active investigations or suspect descriptions
For bodycam or 911 call requests (via public records)
Example: “When was this person arrested, and what were the circumstances?”
When to Contact the Clerk’s Office:
For official court documents, such as indictments, judgments, motions, or warrants
To verify courtroom assignments, filing dates, or specific case numbers
For public records requests tied directly to court filings
Example: “Can I get a copy of the indictment from yesterday’s case?”
When to Use Odyssey:
For quick, real-time info on:
Bond status (in or out of custody)
Upcoming court dates
Case history
Charges filed
Reporters must create a free account to search by name or case number
Tip: Odyssey is the fastest way to track court progress, but interpretation of complex filings may still require comment from the DA’s Office.