> >Erlanger Arrest Records

Erlanger Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Erlanger, Kentucky?

Arrest records are public in Erlanger, 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 law. The Kentucky Open Records Act supports governmental transparency and accountability by allowing citizens to obtain records that document governmental activities and decisions, including arrests made by law enforcement agencies. Residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky may request these records from the City of Erlanger through proper channels and procedures established by municipal authorities.

The Erlanger Police Department maintains these records as part of their official duties and makes them available in accordance with state regulations. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in KRS 61.878.

How to Look Up Erlanger Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Erlanger provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records as of 2025. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:

Submit an open records request directly to the Erlanger Police Department at 505 Commonwealth Avenue, Erlanger, KY 41018. Requests can be made in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Contact the Erlanger Police Department Records Division by telephone at 859-727-7599 to inquire about the proper procedure for obtaining specific arrest records.
Access the Kenton County Clerk's Office for court records related to arrests at 303 Court Street, Covington, KY 41011. The office maintains records of cases processed through the Kenton County District Court.
Utilize the Kentucky Court of Justice online portal for searching public court records associated with arrests that have proceeded to court proceedings.
Visit the Kentucky State Police Records Branch at 1266 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601, which maintains a central repository of criminal history information for the entire state.

Pursuant to KRS 61.872, requests must reasonably describe the records sought and may be submitted by mail, fax, or in person. The City of Erlanger is required to respond to open records requests within five business days under normal circumstances.

Contents of an Erlanger Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Erlanger Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual involved. Standard components of an Erlanger arrest record include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, and physical description
Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred within Erlanger city limits
Detailed description of the alleged offense(s), including applicable Kentucky Revised Statutes or local ordinance violations
Name, badge number, and department of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during the processing procedure
Fingerprint records collected during booking
Case number and incident report identifiers
Initial charges filed at the time of arrest
Information regarding bail or bond amounts if applicable
Preliminary court appearance details

These records are maintained in accordance with Kentucky state record retention schedules and departmental policies established by the Erlanger Police Department. The completeness of information may vary depending on the nature of the arrest and subsequent processing procedures.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The disclosure of arrest records in Erlanger operates within a specific legal framework established by Kentucky state law. The primary statutes governing this access include:

Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870-61.884) establishes the fundamental right of public access to government records, including arrest information, with certain exceptions.
Kentucky Criminal History Record Information System (KRS 17.140-17.152) outlines the procedures for maintaining and disseminating criminal history data throughout the Commonwealth.
Federal regulations, including the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, may impact the disclosure of certain arrest records that involve federal agencies or federally protected information.

The Erlanger Police Department serves as the custodian of arrest records generated within its jurisdiction and must balance public access rights with privacy protections. Pursuant to KRS 61.872(2), public agencies may require written applications for records inspection, describing the records with reasonable particularity.

Records custodians must respond to requests within five business days, either providing the records, denying the request with specific statutory exemptions cited, or explaining why additional time is needed for response. The Kentucky Attorney General may issue binding opinions on disputes regarding record access under KRS 61.880.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Erlanger, certain limitations and exemptions exist under Kentucky law. These restrictions include:

Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would harm the investigation, as permitted under KRS 61.878(1)(h).
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted pursuant to KRS 61.878(1)(a).
Juvenile arrest records are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under KRS 610.320 and KRS 610.340, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
Records sealed by court order following expungement proceedings are removed from public access.
Information that might endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel may be protected from disclosure.
Federal laws such as HIPAA may restrict the release of medical information that might be contained within arrest records.

The Kenton County District Court and the Erlanger Police Department must carefully review records before release to ensure compliance with these statutory exemptions. When portions of a record are exempt from disclosure, the remaining non-exempt information must still be made available with appropriate redactions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Erlanger

Kentucky law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records, effectively removing them from public access. The expungement process in Erlanger follows state procedures outlined in KRS 431.073-431.079. Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal with prejudice may be expunged after a 30-day waiting period.
Misdemeanor convictions may be eligible for expungement after a five-year waiting period following completion of sentence, provided all other requirements are met.
Certain Class D felonies may be expungeable after a five-year waiting period under specific conditions established by KRS 431.073.
Cases dismissed without prejudice must wait for the statute of limitations to expire before becoming eligible for expungement.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Kenton County District Court or Circuit Court, depending on the nature of the case. A filing fee of $100 is required for misdemeanor expungements, while felony expungement petitions require a $500 filing fee, pursuant to KRS 431.073(10). Upon granting of an expungement, all records held by the Erlanger Police Department, courts, and other agencies must be sealed and removed from public access.

The Kentucky State Police maintains a confidential index of expunged records solely for determining eligibility for future expungements and for authorized law enforcement purposes as specified in KRS 431.076.