Covington Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Covington, Kentucky?
Arrest records are public documents in Covington, Kentucky, pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to records maintained by government agencies throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The statute specifically designates that records of arrests, charges, and indictments are considered public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or juvenile cases as outlined in KRS 610.320.
Members of the public may request access to these records through designated custodians at various law enforcement agencies and court offices. The Kentucky Open Records Act stipulates that agencies must respond to requests within five business days, as mandated by KRS 61.880. This transparency mechanism serves to maintain public oversight of governmental operations and ensure accountability within the criminal justice system.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with KRS 61.878, which protects personal privacy information such as Social Security numbers, home addresses of certain public officials, and medical information. The custodian of records must cite the specific statutory exemption when withholding any portion of a public record.
How to Look Up Covington Arrest Records in 2025
The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the City of Covington have established multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official methods:
Submit an open records request directly to the Covington Police Department. Requests must be submitted in writing, specifying the records sought with reasonable particularity as required by KRS 61.872.
Visit the Covington Police Department in person to submit a records request: Covington Police Department 1 Police Memorial Drive Covington, KY 41014 859-292-2222 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Official Website
Access the crime information portal maintained by the Covington Police Department, which provides certain arrest data and crime statistics to the public.
Request records from the Kenton County Circuit Court Clerk's office for cases that have proceeded to court: Kenton County Justice Center 230 Madison Avenue Covington, KY 41011 859-292-6314 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Kentucky Court of Justice - Kenton County
Utilize the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal for accessing court records related to arrests that have resulted in charges filed with the court system.
Pursuant to KRS 17.150, criminal history record information may be obtained through the Kentucky State Police for a fee. Requestors must complete the appropriate forms and submit the required identification documentation as specified by administrative regulations.
Contents of a Covington Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Covington, Kentucky typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Kentucky Administrative Regulations (502 KAR 30:060):
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
- Case number and incident report identifiers
- Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
- Booking information, including detention facility location and booking number
- Photographic images (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken during the booking process
- Fingerprint records collected pursuant to KRS 17.110
- Disposition information, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
- Court appearance dates and preliminary hearing schedules
It should be noted that pursuant to KRS 17.150(4), certain information may be withheld if the release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, reveal the identity of an informant, or disclose investigative techniques. Additionally, if the arrest record pertains to a juvenile subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, access may be restricted in accordance with KRS 610.320 and KRS 610.340.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Covington
The Commonwealth of Kentucky has established statutory provisions under KRS Chapter 431 that permit the expungement of certain arrest records in Covington and throughout the state. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records and related court documents are sealed from public access or, in some cases, physically destroyed.
Pursuant to KRS 431.076, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under the following circumstances:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal with prejudice may be expunged immediately following the conclusion of the case
- Cases dismissed without prejudice require a waiting period of at least one year from the date of dismissal, provided no new charges are pending
- Cases where no indictment was returned by a grand jury may be expunged after the expiration of the statute of limitations or 12 months from the date of the arrest, whichever is sooner
For certain misdemeanor and felony convictions, KRS 431.073 establishes eligibility criteria and waiting periods ranging from five to ten years, depending on the offense classification. The petition for expungement must be filed with the court in which the original case was adjudicated:
Kenton County Circuit Court 230 Madison Avenue Covington, KY 41011 859-292-6314 Kentucky Court of Justice
The petition must include a certification from the Kentucky State Police and Administrative Office of the Courts verifying the petitioner's eligibility. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court shall schedule a hearing within 30 days. If the court grants the expungement, all records held by law enforcement agencies, courts, and other public agencies shall be sealed and, where specified by statute, may be physically destroyed.
It should be noted that expunged records remain accessible to certain entities as enumerated in KRS 431.079, including law enforcement agencies for subsequent investigations and courts for sentencing purposes in future cases.
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