>Hopkins County Arrest Records Online

Hopkins County, Kentucky Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hopkins County, Kentucky?

Arrest records in Hopkins County, Kentucky are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are subject to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statutory provision. The Kentucky Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and ensures that law enforcement agencies remain accountable to the citizenry they serve.

Members of the public may request arrest records from various Hopkins County law enforcement agencies, including the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office and the Madisonville Police Department. These agencies maintain records of arrests conducted within their jurisdictions and are required by law to provide reasonable access to these documents upon proper request.

It should be noted that while arrest records are public, certain information contained within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under KRS 61.878. Such protected information typically includes Social Security numbers, home addresses of certain public officials, medical information, and juvenile records except as provided by statute.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Hopkins County?

Hopkins County arrest records are available through various online platforms as part of Kentucky's commitment to digital government services. The Hopkins County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that provides limited information regarding recent arrests and incarcerations. This digital resource is updated regularly to reflect current detention status and basic arrest information.

Additionally, the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts provides the CourtNet 2.0 system, which allows authorized users to access court records, including those related to arrests, from all 120 Kentucky counties, including Hopkins County. Access to this system requires registration and payment of applicable fees as established by the Kentucky Court of Justice.

Pursuant to KRS 27A.420, the Kentucky Court of Justice is authorized to establish reasonable fees for the provision of these electronic services. The online availability of these records facilitates public access while reducing administrative burden on court personnel and law enforcement agencies.

How to Look Up Hopkins County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Hopkins County:

In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:

Hopkins County Sheriff's Office
56 North Main Street
Madisonville, KY 42431
Phone: (270) 821-5661
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Hopkins County Sheriff's Office

Hopkins County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
120 East Center Street
Madisonville, KY 42431
Phone: (270) 824-7501
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Hopkins County Circuit Court

Written requests may be submitted via mail to either of the above addresses. Such requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the following methods:
- The Kentucky Court of Justice website provides access to court records, including those related to arrests.
- The Kentucky Department of Corrections Offender Search allows users to locate individuals currently in custody or under supervision.

Pursuant to KRS 61.872(3), public agencies must respond to open records requests within five business days of receipt. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time as permitted under KRS 61.874.

Contents of a Hopkins County Arrest Record

Hopkins County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Kentucky law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Kentucky Revised Statute citations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint information and identification numbers
Case or docket number assigned by the court
Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions
Court appearance dates and locations
Disposition information, if available

It should be noted that pursuant to KRS 431.076, certain arrest records may be subject to expungement under specific circumstances, rendering them inaccessible to the general public after court-ordered removal.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Hopkins County

The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Hopkins County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed or destroyed, effectively removing them from public access.

Pursuant to KRS 431.076, individuals who were arrested but not indicted, or whose charges were dismissed with prejudice, may petition for expungement 60 days after the final disposition of the case. Additionally, KRS 431.078 permits expungement of certain misdemeanor convictions after a five-year waiting period, provided all terms of the sentence have been completed and no new offenses have occurred.

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the Hopkins County Circuit Court
Payment of the filing fee (currently $100 per case)
Submission to a criminal background check
Notification to the prosecuting attorney
Judicial review and determination

Hopkins County Circuit Court
120 East Center Street
Madisonville, KY 42431
Phone: (270) 824-7501
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Effective as of June 27, 2019, Kentucky's expungement laws were expanded under Senate Bill 57 to include additional Class D felonies. Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding eligibility and procedural requirements, as the statutes governing expungement are subject to legislative amendment.