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Billy Gilchrist
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Billy Gilchrist currently serves as a General Sessions Criminal Court Judge for Division 71. He is seeking re-election to this position in the 2026 race for Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Division 71. His campaign website, billygilchristforjudge.com, invites voters to support his candidacy for the upcoming election1.
Gilchrist states that he brings over 28 years of experience in the criminal justice system to the role1. He notes that he has previously served as a Special Judge across multiple divisions within the courts1. The campaign emphasizes his commitment to the position throughout his career1.
Background and education
Billy Gilchrist self-describes as having over 28 years of experience in the criminal justice system 1. He states that he has served as a Special Judge across multiple divisions within Shelby County courts 1. The provided sources do not contain information regarding his birthplace, year of birth, upbringing, religion, schools attended, or degrees earned.
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Career
Billy Gilchrist established the Law Office of Billy Gilchrist in 1998 6. The firm provides legal services including criminal defense, DUI law, traffic tickets, and personal injury cases 57. Gilchrist maintains active licensure with the North Carolina State Bar 8. He has also practiced in Tennessee courts, handling cases in Memphis, Bartlett, Collierville, and Germantown 7.
Gilchrist served as a Special Judge across multiple divisions within Shelby County courts 1. His legal career includes involvement in federal litigation, such as United States v. Gilchrist in the Third Circuit in 2000 2 and Gilchrist v. Citty in the Tenth Circuit in 2003 3. He was also a defendant in USA v. Gilchrist in the Eastern District of Louisiana, filed in 2024 4. Additionally, he was involved in the case Paul Whitfield v. Gilchrist III in the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 1997 9.
Office history
Billy Gilchrist has served as a Special Judge across multiple divisions within Shelby Countyโs courts 1. He states that he brings over 28 years of experience in the criminal justice system to his judicial career 1.
Gilchrist is currently seeking election to serve as a General Sessions Criminal Court Judge for Division 7 in Shelby County 1. As of May 18, 2026, this race is upcoming, and no outcome has been determined.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record โ search by last name on each.
Tennessee โ campaign finance (search)
- State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) โ Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Gilchrist”, and submit.
- County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) โ most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Gilchrist”).
Tennessee โ statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates โ Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Gilchrist”and, if needed, select the applicable position.