>Rowan County Arrest Records Online

Rowan County, Kentucky Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Rowan County, Kentucky?

Arrest records are public in Rowan County, Kentucky, pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884). This legislation establishes that all public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to the general public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Kentucky Open Records Act defines public records as "all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, diskettes, recordings, software, or other documentation regardless of physical form or characteristics, which are prepared, owned, used, in the possession of or retained by a public agency."

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with KRS 61.878, which provides exemptions for:

Personal information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Information that might endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel
Juvenile records, which are subject to additional confidentiality protections under KRS 610.320

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records must submit a formal request to the appropriate custodial agency in Rowan County.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Rowan County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in Rowan County through several official digital platforms. The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains an electronic case management system that allows public access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. Additionally, the Rowan County Detention Center provides an online inmate lookup service that displays current custody status and basic arrest information.

The digital availability of these records is governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act, which acknowledges electronic records as public documents subject to the same disclosure requirements as physical records. Pursuant to KRS 61.874(6), "Online access to public records in electronic form may be provided and made available at the discretion of the public agency."

Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require submission of a formal records request to the appropriate agency. The Rowan County Clerk's Office maintains specific protocols for electronic records requests in accordance with KRS 61.872.

How to Look Up Rowan County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Rowan County arrest records. Interested parties may utilize the following resources:

Rowan County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for individuals taken into custody within their jurisdiction. Records requests may be submitted in person during regular business hours.

Rowan County Sheriff's Office
600 W Main Street
Morehead, KY 40351
(606) 784-5446
Official Website

Rowan County Detention Center: The detention center maintains custody records for current and former inmates. The facility provides an online inmate search function and accepts in-person records requests.

Rowan County Detention Center
400 Flemingsburg Road
Morehead, KY 40351
(606) 784-8486
Official Website

Rowan County Circuit Court Clerk: The Circuit Court Clerk maintains records of all court proceedings, including those stemming from arrests. Pursuant to KRS 30A.010, the clerk serves as the custodian of all court records within the county.

Rowan County Circuit Court Clerk
700 W Main Street
Morehead, KY 40351
(606) 784-4574
Official Website

Kentucky Department of Corrections: For records pertaining to individuals who have been sentenced to state custody, the Department of Corrections maintains the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup database, which provides information on current and former state inmates.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Fees for copies of records may apply in accordance with KRS 61.874, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for reproduction of public records.

Contents of a Rowan County Arrest Record

Arrest records in Rowan County typically contain standardized information as required by Kentucky law enforcement protocols. These records generally include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency making the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Kentucky Revised Statute citations and charge classifications (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprints, photograph (mugshot), personal property inventory
Case Processing: Court case number, arraignment date, bond information, custody status
Prior Criminal History: May include references to previous arrests or convictions if relevant to the current case

The content of arrest records is governed by the Kentucky Uniform Crime Reporting Program, established pursuant to KRS 17.150, which mandates standardized reporting of criminal justice information. Law enforcement agencies in Rowan County are required to maintain complete records of all arrests in accordance with KRS 17.150(2).

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, in compliance with privacy protections under KRS 61.878(1)(a).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Rowan County

Kentucky law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Rowan County. Pursuant to KRS 431.076, individuals may petition for expungement of records relating to arrests that did not result in conviction. The statute specifies:

Records of charges that were dismissed with prejudice are eligible for expungement 60 days after the dismissal
Records of charges that were dismissed without prejudice are eligible for expungement after the statute of limitations has expired or 3 years have passed since dismissal, whichever is sooner
Records of acquittals are eligible for expungement 60 days after the verdict

For convictions, KRS 431.073 establishes eligibility criteria for expungement, generally requiring:

Completion of sentence and payment of all fines
A waiting period of 5 years for most eligible misdemeanors
No pending charges or convictions during the waiting period

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Rowan County Circuit Court, payment of a filing fee (currently $100 pursuant to KRS 431.073(10)), and a certification from the Kentucky State Police regarding eligibility. If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal their records, and the subject may legally deny the existence of the expunged arrest or conviction except in specific circumstances outlined in KRS 431.073(4).

Rowan County Circuit Court
700 W Main Street
Morehead, KY 40351
(606) 784-4574
Official Website

Certain serious offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against children, are statutorily ineligible for expungement under Kentucky law.