>Kenton County Arrest Records Online

Kenton County, Kentucky Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kenton County, Kentucky?

Arrest records are public documents in Kenton County, Kentucky, pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provision. The Kentucky Open Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings.

Members of the public may access these records through various official channels, including the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk's Office and local law enforcement agencies. The public nature of these records enables community oversight of the criminal justice system and supports the constitutional principles of due process and open government.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving juvenile offenders, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in KRS 61.878. These exceptions are narrowly construed to preserve the presumption of openness established by Kentucky law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Kenton County?

Kenton County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Kentucky Court of Justice provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests, through its official portal. Additionally, the Kenton County Detention Center maintains an inmate lookup system that provides information on current detainees and recent arrests.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) offers the CourtNet 2.0 system, which provides authorized users with access to court records across Kentucky, including Kenton County. This system contains information on criminal cases resulting from arrests within the jurisdiction. Access to CourtNet 2.0 requires registration and may involve service fees as established by the Kentucky Court of Justice.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the same statutory limitations that apply to physical records. Pursuant to KRS 61.878, certain information may be redacted or restricted from online viewing to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or juvenile matters.

How to Look Up Kenton County Arrest Records in 2025

The Commonwealth of Kentucky and Kenton County provide multiple methods for accessing arrest records. Interested parties may utilize the following official channels:

Kentucky Court of Justice Online Portal: The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains a comprehensive database of court records, including those stemming from arrests in Kenton County. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Located at 230 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41011 (Phone: 859-392-1800), the clerk's office maintains official court records and can provide certified copies of arrest documentation. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Kenton County Sheriff's Office: Located at 303 Court Street, Covington, KY 41011 (Phone: 859-392-1800), the Sheriff's Office can provide information regarding arrests conducted by their deputies. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Kentucky State Police Background Check System: The Kentucky State Police administers a statewide criminal history check system that includes arrest records from Kenton County and other jurisdictions throughout the Commonwealth.
Covington Police Department: Located at 1 Police Memorial Drive, Covington, KY 41014 (Phone: 859-292-2222), the department maintains records of arrests within city limits and provides crime information to the public.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth. Fees for record searches and copies are established pursuant to KRS 64.012 and may vary by agency.

Contents of a Kenton County Arrest Record

Kenton County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and processing of individuals taken into custody. Standard arrest records include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description, address, and identification numbers (such as state ID or driver's license number)
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer; and statutory authority for the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific Kentucky Revised Statutes allegedly violated, classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, violation), and factual basis for charges
Booking Information: Fingerprints, photographs, personal property inventory, and medical screening results
Case Processing Data: Court case numbers, arraignment dates, bail determinations, pretrial release conditions, and subsequent court appearances
Disposition Information: Final resolution of charges, including dismissals, diversions, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing information when applicable

Pursuant to KRS 17.150, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain complete records of arrests. These records must be made available for inspection subject to the exemptions provided in KRS 61.878 and other applicable statutes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kenton County

Kentucky law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by KRS 431.073 through KRS 431.079, which establish eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Kenton County under the following conditions:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal with prejudice may be eligible for immediate expungement, subject to statutory waiting periods
Cases dismissed without prejudice require a waiting period of at least one year from the date of dismissal
Certain misdemeanor and Class D felony convictions may be eligible for expungement after specified waiting periods (typically five years for misdemeanors and ten years for eligible felonies)
Arrests that did not result in charges being filed may be expunged after a waiting period of 60 days

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Kenton Circuit Court, located at 230 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY 41011. Petitioners must submit a completed Application to Vacate and Expunge Felony Conviction form (AOC-496) or Petition for Expungement of Misdemeanor, Violation, or Traffic Infraction form (AOC-497) as appropriate. A filing fee of $100 is required pursuant to KRS 431.073(10), though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify relevant agencies, including the Kenton County Attorney's Office and the Commonwealth's Attorney. If the court grants the expungement, all records related to the arrest and subsequent proceedings will be sealed and removed from public access.

Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts for limited purposes as specified in KRS 431.076(4), including subsequent criminal proceedings and sentencing determinations.

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