>Jefferson County Arrest Records Online

Jefferson County, Kentucky Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson County, Kentucky?

Arrest records are public in Jefferson County, Kentucky, pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884). This legislation establishes that all government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions. The Kentucky Open Records Act serves to promote transparency in government operations and upholds the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities, including arrests made within the county jurisdiction.

Members of the public may request arrest records from various Jefferson County law enforcement agencies, including the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. 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.

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with KRS 61.878, which protects personal privacy and ongoing investigations. Such redactions typically include Social Security numbers, home addresses, and information that might compromise active investigations if disclosed.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by local and state government agencies. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides an online portal where members of the public may access court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Additionally, the Louisville Metro Police Department maintains a digital database of recent arrests that is accessible through their official website.

The Administrative Office of the Courts offers criminal background checks online, which include arrest information. These records are available to individuals, businesses, licensing agencies, and government entities for official purposes such as employment screening, housing applications, and licensing requirements.

Online access to arrest records is governed by KRS 61.874, which permits agencies to establish reasonable fees for the reproduction and transmission of public records. Users accessing these records online may be required to pay nominal fees for searches or document retrieval, depending on the specific platform and the nature of the request.

How to Look Up Jefferson County Arrest Records in 2025

Jefferson County residents and interested parties seeking arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them. The following procedures are established for obtaining arrest record information:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office located at 531 Court Place, Louisville, KY 40202. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (502) 574-5400.
The Louisville Metro Police Department Records Division accepts requests at 633 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (502) 574-7660.
Online searches can be conducted through the Kentucky Offender Search portal maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections, which includes information on individuals currently in custody or under supervision.
Written requests may be submitted via mail to the appropriate agency, including a completed records request form, proper identification, and any applicable fees as prescribed by KRS 61.874(3).
The Jefferson County Judicial Center, located at 700 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202, houses court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.

Pursuant to KRS 61.872, agencies must respond to records requests within five business days. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.

Contents of a Jefferson County Arrest Record

Jefferson County arrest records contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. In accordance with Kentucky law, these records typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks or tattoos.
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including the address or intersection where the apprehension occurred.
Statutory citations and descriptions of all charges filed against the individual at the time of arrest, classified as either misdemeanors or felonies according to Kentucky Revised Statutes.
Identity of the arresting agency and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Booking information, including the assigned booking number, fingerprint classification, and mugshot photographs taken during processing.
Custody status information, including whether the individual was released on their own recognizance, posted bail, or remained in custody pending arraignment.
Preliminary court information, including scheduled arraignment date and assigned court division within the Jefferson County judicial system.

These records are maintained in accordance with the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives records retention schedules, which mandate specific timeframes for the preservation of law enforcement records. Arrest records are generally retained permanently, though the accessibility of older records may vary depending on whether they have been digitized or remain in paper format only.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Jefferson County

The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records in Jefferson County through KRS Chapter 431. Individuals may petition for expungement if their circumstances meet the statutory criteria established by the Kentucky General Assembly.

Pursuant to KRS 431.076, persons arrested but not convicted may petition for expungement if:

Charges were dismissed with prejudice
A grand jury issued a no true bill
A jury rendered a verdict of not guilty
The case was dismissed without prejudice and two years have elapsed since dismissal
No criminal charges are currently pending against the petitioner

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at the Jefferson County Judicial Center, 700 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202. A filing fee of $100 is required at the time of submission, as prescribed by statute.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date not sooner than 30 days after filing. The Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney and any identified victims must receive notification of the petition and hearing date. During the hearing, the court will determine whether the petitioner meets all statutory requirements for expungement.

If granted, an Order of Expungement directs all relevant agencies to seal the records related to the arrest, making them inaccessible to the public. Pursuant to KRS 431.076(8), expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts for limited purposes, including determining eligibility for diversion programs and informing sentencing decisions in subsequent cases.

The Kentucky State Police processes the actual expungement of records after receiving the court order. Their Records Branch is located at 1266 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. Telephone: (502) 227-8700.

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