Kentucky Arrest Records

Is Kentucky an Open Arrest Records State?

Kentucky is an open arrest records state pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS § 61.870 to § 61.884). The Commonwealth of Kentucky upholds the principle that public records, including arrest records, should be accessible to the general public with limited exceptions. This transparency is rooted in the legislative intent that openness is essential for public oversight and maintaining governmental accountability. In Kentucky, arrest records are considered public documents unless explicitly exempted by law under KRS § 61.878. Such records typically include details about the individual arrested, the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and the charges filed.

Access to arrest records is facilitated through multiple governmental agencies to ensure that citizens have the ability to obtain information necessary for personal, legal, or research purposes. This accessibility supports the democratic principles established in Kentucky law by allowing citizens to stay informed about law enforcement actions and the conduct of individuals within their community. The Kentucky State Police, county sheriff's departments, and local police departments maintain these records in accordance with state statutes.

How to Look Up Kentucky Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Kentucky arrest records in 2025, individuals have several official channels available. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) serves as the primary custodian for court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. The following methods are available for searching arrest records in Kentucky:

Visit local law enforcement agencies in person during regular business hours to request physical copies of arrest records.
Access the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal for court records related to arrests.
Submit a written request through mail to the Kentucky State Police Records Branch.
Utilize the Kentucky Offender Search database for information on currently incarcerated individuals.
Request records through the AOC's FastCheck service for official criminal history information.

Each method varies in terms of response time, fees, and the comprehensiveness of information provided. Pursuant to KRS § 61.874, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records, typically ranging from $0.10 to $0.25 per page for physical copies, or standardized fees for electronic records.

Kentucky State Police Records Branch
1266 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 227-8700
Kentucky State Police

Administrative Office of the Courts
1001 Vandalay Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-2350
Kentucky Court of Justice

Contents of a Kentucky Arrest Record

Kentucky arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies typically include the following information as prescribed by KRS § 17.150:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date and place of birth
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color, identifying marks)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint impressions
Details of the arrest (date, time, location, arresting agency)
Specific charges filed with corresponding statute numbers
Case disposition information (bail amount, release status, detention location)
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Incident report number for cross-reference purposes

It should be noted that pursuant to KRS § 61.878, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that might compromise an ongoing investigation.

Understanding the Kentucky Open Records Act

The Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS § 61.870 to § 61.884) establishes the framework for public access to governmental records, including arrest records. This comprehensive legislation was enacted to ensure transparency in government operations and accountability to the citizens of the Commonwealth. Under this Act, public agencies must respond to open records requests within five business days, as specified in KRS § 61.880.

The Act defines public records broadly to include "all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, software, or other documentation regardless of physical form or characteristics, which are prepared, owned, used, in the possession of or retained by a public agency." This definition encompasses arrest records created and maintained by law enforcement agencies throughout Kentucky.

Key provisions of the Act include:

Any person may request to inspect public records without providing a statement of purpose (KRS § 61.872)
Agencies must provide a detailed explanation when denying access to records (KRS § 61.880)
The burden of proof for denying access rests with the public agency (KRS § 61.882)
Citizens may appeal denied requests to the Attorney General's Office (KRS § 61.880)

The Kentucky Attorney General serves as the primary authority for resolving disputes regarding access to public records, issuing binding opinions that carry the weight of law unless appealed to circuit court.

Office of the Attorney General
700 Capitol Avenue, Suite 118
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 696-5300
Kentucky Attorney General's Office

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kentucky

In Kentucky, the expungement of arrest records is governed by KRS § 431.073 to § 431.079, allowing individuals to petition for the removal of their arrest details from public records under specific conditions. The eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Completion of a waiting period (typically 5 years for misdemeanors and select Class D felonies)
No pending criminal charges at the time of petition filing
No prior felony convictions (for felony expungement requests)
Payment of all court-ordered restitution
Satisfaction of all probation or parole requirements

Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including:

Offenses against children
Sexual offenses
Crimes resulting in serious physical injury or death
Offenses involving a deadly weapon
Felonies committed while holding public office

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court where the case was adjudicated, payment of a filing fee (currently $100 for misdemeanors and $500 for eligible felonies), and attendance at a hearing where a judge will determine whether expungement serves the public interest. If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal the records and remove them from public access.

Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
5 Mill Creek Park
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-8006
Department of Public Advocacy

How to Find Local Arrests in Kentucky?

Local arrests in Kentucky can be accessed through various official channels established by municipal and county governments. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking information about recent arrests in their communities:

Visit county detention centers during public access hours to view daily booking logs
Access sheriff's department websites, many of which maintain online inmate rosters
Review public terminals at county courthouses that display recent arrest information
Attend arraignment proceedings, which are typically open to the public
Contact the records division of local police departments for arrest report information
Check county clerk offices for criminal case filings resulting from arrests

Many Kentucky counties now provide online portals for accessing arrest information. For example, Jefferson County maintains a comprehensive inmate lookup system through the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. Similarly, Fayette County provides arrest information through the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government website.

Louisville Metro Department of Corrections
400 S. Sixth Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-2167
Louisville Metro Corrections

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Community Corrections
600 Old Frankfort Circle
Lexington, KY 40510
(859) 425-2700
Lexington-Fayette County Detention Center

Search Arrest Records in Kentucky

Counties

Calloway Campbell Daviess Fayette Franklin Greenup Hardin Henderson Hopkins Jefferson Jessamine Kenton Madison Morgan Muhlenberg Nelson Perry Pulaski Rowan Taylor Warren