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Lexington Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lexington, Kentucky?

Arrest records are public documents in Lexington, Kentucky, pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884). This legislation establishes that all public records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Kentucky Open Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

Members of the public may inspect arrest records maintained by the Lexington Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within Fayette County. These records document the circumstances of arrests, including the identity of arrested individuals, charges filed, and other pertinent information collected during the booking process. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with KRS 61.878, the fundamental record of an arrest remains accessible to the public.

How to Look Up Lexington Arrest Records in 2025

The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the City of Lexington provide multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to KRS 61.872, public agencies must make records available for inspection during regular office hours. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Lexington:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Lexington Police Department Records Unit to submit formal requests for arrest records. Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees may apply for document reproduction.

Lexington Police Department Records Unit
150 E. Main Street
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 258-3600
Lexington Police Department

Online Access: The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government maintains an electronic portal through which certain arrest information may be accessed. This system provides basic arrest data including names, charges, and booking dates.
Fayette County Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests may be obtained through the Fayette County Clerk's Office, which maintains records of criminal proceedings following arrests.

Fayette County Clerk's Office
120 N. Limestone
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 253-3344
Fayette County Clerk

Written Requests: Pursuant to KRS 61.872(2), citizens may submit written requests for arrest records. Agencies must respond to such requests within five business days of receipt.

Contents of a Lexington Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Lexington law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Kentucky state law and local regulations. These documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and residential address of the arrested individual.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Kentucky Revised Statute citations and charge classifications (felony, misdemeanor, or violation).
Booking Information: Unique booking identification number, fingerprints, and booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, release conditions, or continued detention.
Case Disposition: Ultimate resolution of the case, including dismissals, convictions, sentences imposed, or other judicial determinations.
Agency Identifiers: Case numbers, incident report numbers, and other administrative identifiers used by law enforcement and court systems.

It should be noted that pursuant to KRS 61.878, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lexington

Kentucky law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest and conviction records are removed from public access. The Kentucky General Assembly has established specific criteria and procedures for expungement through KRS Chapter 431.

Pursuant to KRS 431.076, individuals who were arrested but not convicted may petition for expungement of those records. The statute provides that if charges were dismissed with prejudice, resulted in acquittal, or were not pursued by prosecutors, the corresponding arrest records may be eligible for expungement. Additionally, KRS 431.078 permits expungement of certain misdemeanor convictions after a five-year waiting period, provided the petitioner has not been convicted of any other offenses during that time.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Fayette Circuit Court, payment of filing fees (currently $100 per case), and submission to a background check. The Commonwealth's Attorney is afforded an opportunity to object to the petition, after which a hearing may be scheduled. If granted, an Order of Expungement directs all relevant agencies to seal the records and remove them from public access.

Fayette Circuit Court
120 N. Limestone, Room 603
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 246-2141

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process is governed by strict statutory requirements. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides standardized forms for expungement petitions, though many petitioners elect to secure legal representation to navigate this complex process.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Lexington, Kentucky law imposes certain restrictions on their accessibility and use. These limitations are designed to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy interests and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Pursuant to KRS 61.878, specific categories of information may be redacted from arrest records prior to public disclosure, including:

Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records confidentially disclosed to agencies that are compiled and maintained for scientific research
Preliminary drafts and notes
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations if prematurely disclosed
Juvenile records, except as provided in KRS 610.320 and 610.340

Additionally, the District Court of Kentucky, which handles initial appearances following arrests, may issue protective orders restricting access to certain case information when disclosure would present clear and present dangers to individuals or investigations.

Commercial use of arrest records is subject to additional regulations. KRS 61.874(5) permits agencies to charge higher fees when records are requested for commercial purposes. Furthermore, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) imposes federal restrictions on the reporting of arrest records by consumer reporting agencies, generally prohibiting the reporting of arrest records that are more than seven years old.