Frankfort Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Frankfort, Kentucky?
Arrest records are public documents in Frankfort, 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 law enforcement entities, 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 arrests and subsequent legal proceedings within the Commonwealth.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in KRS 61.878. However, the general presumption under Kentucky law favors public access to arrest records maintained by the Frankfort Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within Franklin County.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are legally accessible, specific procedures must be followed to obtain them from the appropriate custodial agencies.
How to Look Up Frankfort Arrest Records in 2025
The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in Frankfort. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods:
Submit a formal request to the Frankfort Police Department Records Division, which maintains custody of local arrest records. Requests may be submitted in person during regular business hours.
Access the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal, which provides electronic access to court records associated with arrests in Franklin County and throughout the Commonwealth.
Submit an open records request through the City of Frankfort's Open Records process, as prescribed by KRS 61.872, which requires public agencies to respond to requests within five business days.
Obtain official criminal history records through the Kentucky Court of Justice Background Check service, which provides comprehensive arrest and disposition information for a nominal fee.
Visit the Franklin County District Court Clerk's Office in person to review public case files related to arrests within the jurisdiction.
Pursuant to KRS 61.874, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records, limited to the actual cost of reproduction and not including staff time spent retrieving records.
Frankfort Police Department
300 West Second Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 875-8525
Frankfort Police Department
Franklin County District Court Clerk
222 St. Clair Street, Suite 1000
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-7740
Kentucky Court of Justice
Contents of a Frankfort Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Frankfort, Kentucky typically contain standardized information as required by Kentucky state law and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and generally include:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations of Kentucky Revised Statutes or Frankfort municipal ordinances
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information, including fingerprints and booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Custody status and bail determination
- Case number assigned by the arresting agency
- Preliminary hearing date, if applicable
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Medical screening information as required by detention facility protocols
The Frankfort City Ordinances and Kentucky Revised Statutes establish the legal framework for arrests within the jurisdiction. Arrest records are maintained in accordance with the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives records retention schedules, which mandate specific timeframes for preservation of law enforcement documentation.
It should be noted that arrest records reflect only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Cases initiated by arrest proceed through the Franklin County District Court system, where determinations of guilt or innocence are made in accordance with due process requirements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Frankfort
The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records maintained in Frankfort and throughout the state. Pursuant to KRS 431.076 and KRS 431.078, expungement procedures allow for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement of arrest records in Frankfort include:
- Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal may be eligible for immediate expungement under KRS 431.076
- Cases where charges were dismissed with prejudice
- Arrests that did not result in formal charges within specified statutory timeframes
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after a five-year waiting period, provided all terms of the sentence have been completed and no new offenses have occurred
- Class D felony convictions may be eligible under expanded expungement provisions enacted in recent legislative sessions, subject to specific waiting periods and exclusions
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Franklin County Circuit Court, payment of filing fees (currently $100 per case, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners), and attendance at a scheduled hearing. If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies, including the Frankfort Police Department, to seal the records and remove them from public databases.
Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in KRS 431.076(4), including consideration in subsequent criminal proceedings and for employment screening for certain sensitive positions.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk's Office can provide standardized forms for expungement petitions as prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk
222 St. Clair Street, Suite 1000
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-8367
Kentucky Court of Justice
Search Arrest Records in Frankfort
