>Hardin County Arrest Records Online

Hardin County, Kentucky Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hardin County, Kentucky?

Arrest records in Hardin County, Kentucky are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KORA), KRS 61.870 to 61.884. This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or in the possession of public agencies shall be available for inspection by any person, subject to certain exceptions defined by statute. The Hardin County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction maintain these records as part of their official duties to document arrests and subsequent proceedings.

Members of the public may access these records for various legitimate purposes, including background checks, research, and general information. The Kentucky Open Records Act specifically mandates that public agencies make their records available during regular office hours. Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their inquiry when seeking non-confidential public records. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it falls under statutory exemptions, such as information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy per KRS 61.878(1)(a).

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Hardin County?

Hardin County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and local government agencies. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides access to court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Additionally, the Kentucky Department of Corrections maintains the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) system, which allows the public to search for information about individuals who have been incarcerated or are currently under supervision.

The Hardin County Government website offers limited information regarding recent arrests and inmate status through its Criminal Division portal. Users should be advised that online records may not be comprehensive and might not include the most recent arrests. Furthermore, pursuant to KRS 61.874, agencies may charge reasonable fees for online access to certain records or for specialized electronic access beyond that available to the general public.

It should be noted that misuse of information obtained from these online resources may constitute a criminal offense under Kentucky law. The Kentucky Department of Corrections explicitly warns that harassment of offenders using information from their database is punishable by law.

How to Look Up Hardin County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Hardin County, each with varying levels of comprehensiveness and accessibility. The following options are available to members of the public seeking arrest information:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Hardin County Sheriff's Office located at 150 N Provident Way, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (270) 765-5133.
The Hardin County Detention Center maintains booking records and can provide information about current inmates. Located at 100 Lawson Blvd, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. Telephone: (270) 765-4159.
The Hardin County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings. Located at Justice Center, 120 E Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. Telephone: (270) 766-5000.
Online searches can be conducted through the Kentucky Court of Justice website, which provides access to court records, or through the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup system.
Background checks may be requested through the Administrative Office of the Courts or the Kentucky State Police, which offers criminal history reports for a fee.

Pursuant to KRS 61.872, public agencies must respond to open records requests within five business days. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction, excluding staff time required to produce copies.

Contents of a Hardin County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Hardin County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard components of these records include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any distinguishing physical characteristics or identifying marks.
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including the address or geographical coordinates where the apprehension occurred.
Detailed enumeration of all criminal charges filed against the individual, including the Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) citation for each offense and whether each charge is classified as a felony, misdemeanor, or violation.
Identity of the arresting agency and the name or badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Booking information, including the date and time of processing at the detention facility.
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during the intake process at the detention facility.
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process, which are subsequently submitted to state and federal criminal identification databases.
Case disposition information, if available, indicating whether charges were dismissed, reduced, or resulted in conviction.
Bond information, including the type and amount of bail set by the court, and whether the individual was released pending trial.

Pursuant to KRS 17.150, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain complete records of arrests, and these records must be made available for inspection subject to the provisions of the Kentucky Open Records Act.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Hardin County

The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed or erased from public view, effectively removing them from public access. The process is governed primarily by KRS 431.073 to 431.079.

Individuals may qualify for expungement of arrest records in Hardin County under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal with prejudice may be expunged after 60 days from the date of disposition.
Cases dismissed without prejudice may be eligible for expungement after the statute of limitations has expired or after two years have passed since the date of dismissal, whichever is sooner.
Certain Class D felony convictions may be expunged five years after completion of the sentence, provided the individual has no other felony convictions and meets other statutory requirements.
Most misdemeanor convictions may be expunged five years after completion of the sentence if the individual has no other convictions during that period.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Hardin County Circuit Court, located at Justice Center, 120 E Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. A filing fee of $100 is required for misdemeanor expungements, while felony expungement petitions require a $500 filing fee. These fees are non-refundable regardless of whether the petition is granted.

Upon receipt of an expungement order from the court, all agencies possessing records pertaining to the arrest, including the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, the Kentucky State Police, and the Administrative Office of the Courts, are required to seal those records from public view.