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Richmond Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Richmond, Kentucky?

Arrest records are public in Richmond, 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 operates under the fundamental principle that governmental transparency is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability in law enforcement operations.

Members of the public may request and review arrest records maintained by local law enforcement agencies, including the Richmond Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff's Office. These records typically become available after the initial processing of an arrested individual, though certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under KRS 61.878.

It should be noted that while arrest records are public, certain components may be restricted if they pertain to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or contain information that could compromise public safety if disclosed. The determination regarding which portions of an arrest record may be withheld is made by the custodial agency in accordance with applicable state statutes.

How to Look Up Richmond Arrest Records in 2025

The process for obtaining arrest records in Richmond has been significantly modernized as of 2025, with multiple access points now available to the public. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Richmond Police Department located at 1721 Lexington Road, Richmond, KY 40475. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (859) 623-1162.
The Madison County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county jurisdiction at 135 W. Irvine Street, Richmond, KY 40475. Office hours for record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Telephone: (859) 623-1511.
The Madison County Detention Center inmate search portal provides real-time information on current detainees, including arrest date, charges, and custody status.
Kentucky State Police Records Branch processes statewide criminal history reports, which include arrest information. Their office is located at 1266 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (502) 227-8700.

Pursuant to KRS 17.150, requestors must complete a standardized form specifying the records sought. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and duplication services as permitted under KRS 61.874. Response to requests must be provided within five business days under normal circumstances, as mandated by KRS 61.880.

Contents of a Richmond Arrest Record

Richmond arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Kentucky law enforcement protocols and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet regulations. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Complete legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying physical characteristics
Residential address at time of arrest (may be redacted in public versions)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Booking photographs ("mugshots") and fingerprint classification data
Case or incident number for administrative tracking
Initial court appearance information and bail determination
Detention facility assignment if applicable

The Richmond Police Department and Madison County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with the Kentucky Records Retention Schedule established by the Department for Libraries and Archives under KRS 171.420. Standard arrest records are retained for a minimum of five years after the final disposition of the case, while records pertaining to felony arrests are maintained for twenty-five years.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Richmond

The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Richmond through a formal judicial process. Pursuant to KRS 431.073 and KRS 431.076, individuals may petition for expungement under specific qualifying circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal with prejudice
Arrests that did not result in indictment within 60 days (for felonies) or 12 months (for misdemeanors)
Convictions for certain Class D felonies after a five-year waiting period following completion of sentence
Misdemeanor convictions after a three-year waiting period following completion of sentence
Violations after a one-year waiting period

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Madison Circuit Court, located at 101 W. Main Street, Richmond, KY 40475. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (859) 624-4703. The Madison County Circuit Court Clerk's Office processes these petitions.

Petitioners must submit a completed Application to Vacate and Expunge Felony Conviction form (AOC-496) or Petition for Expungement of Misdemeanor form (AOC-497) along with the required filing fee of $100 for misdemeanors or $500 for felonies. The court will schedule a hearing within 30 days of filing, during which the Commonwealth's Attorney may present objections.

If granted, an Order of Expungement directs all relevant agencies to seal the records and remove them from public access. The Kentucky State Police, Richmond Police Department, Madison County Sheriff's Office, and all courts must comply with this order within 60 days. Following expungement, the individual may legally state that the arrest or conviction never occurred.

Legal Restrictions on Accessing Certain Arrest Records

Kentucky law establishes several categories of arrest records that are subject to restricted access despite the general presumption of public availability. These restrictions serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and vulnerable populations. The following limitations apply to arrest records in Richmond:

Juvenile arrest records are confidential under KRS 610.320 and KRS 610.340, accessible only to authorized personnel including juvenile justice officials, school administrators, and treatment providers.
Records pertaining to victims of sexual offenses are subject to redaction of personally identifying information pursuant to KRS 61.878(1)(a) to protect victim privacy.
Arrests related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure if release would compromise the investigation, as permitted under KRS 61.878(1)(h).
Mental health-related arrests, including those under emergency protective custody provisions of KRS 202A, contain protected health information subject to redaction.
Records sealed by court order through expungement or other judicial proceedings are removed from public access.

The Richmond Police Department and Madison County District Court are responsible for ensuring compliance with these restrictions when processing public records requests. Violations of confidentiality provisions may result in administrative penalties or civil liability under KRS 61.991.

Law Enforcement Record-Keeping in Richmond

The maintenance of arrest records in Richmond adheres to standardized protocols established by the Department of Criminal Justice Training and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. These agencies provide comprehensive guidance on record creation, storage, and retention:

All arrest data is entered into the Kentucky Open Portal Solution (KOPS), a statewide records management system that facilitates information sharing between law enforcement agencies.
Physical records are maintained at the Richmond Police Department Records Division, with backup systems ensuring data integrity and preservation.
Digital fingerprint records and photographs are transmitted to the Kentucky State Police Central Repository within 24 hours of booking.
Quality control measures include supervisory review of all arrest documentation prior to submission to the Commonwealth Attorney's Office or Madison County Attorney.
Records retention schedules mandate preservation of felony arrest records for 25 years and misdemeanor records for 5 years after case disposition.

The Richmond Police Department Records Division, located at 1721 Lexington Road, Richmond, KY 40475, serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records. Public counter hours for records requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (859) 623-1162.

Pursuant to KRS 17.150, all law enforcement agencies must maintain comprehensive arrest records and submit regular statistical reports to the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. These reports contribute to the Uniform Crime Reporting program and support evidence-based policing initiatives throughout the Commonwealth.