Kentucky Criminal Records

A Kentucky criminal record (also called a rap sheet) is defined as the documented history of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system in the state of Kentucky. The record typically contains information about arrests, detentions, charges, indictments, and convictions related to criminal offenses.

The information in a criminal record is compiled from various sources in the criminal justice system, including courts, law enforcement agencies, probation and parole divisions, district attorney's offices, and state correctional facilities. The Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) and the Kentucky State Police are the custodians and official sources of criminal records in the state.

Are Criminal Records Public in Kentucky?

Yes, criminal records are public in Kentucky. Per the Kentucky Open Records Act, government records, including criminal records, are public and available for public inspection and duplication. The Act, codified under Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Chapter 61, outlines the principles and procedures for public access to various government records, including criminal records.

While the Act designates criminal records as public and open to public access, it also allows public agencies, such as police departments, sheriff's offices, and the courts, to withhold specific criminal information unless a requester provides a court order directing release. Under KRS 61.878(1), the following records may be exempt or restricted from disclosure:

• Juvenile records
• Crime victim information
• Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations or legal proceedings
• Information that may endanger a witness's safety.

Kentucky Crime Records by County

Kentucky crime records are comprehensive sets of data and reports kept by government agencies at the local or state level. They are used to monitor, analyze, and measure criminal activities, including the frequency of incidents, crime rates, and demographic information on those involved in criminal activities.

In Kentucky, crime records are easily accessible to the public through various entities within the state's justice system, including law enforcement agencies and the courts. Typically, these records are prepared and made available monthly or yearly by local or state-level law enforcement agencies. They can often be accessed through official websites as viewable PDF reports, via an official records portal, or in person at the agency's office location.

Individuals can access Kentucky crime data through the annual criminal reports section of the Kentucky State Police website. These reports offer a breakdown of offenses, arrests, and crimes categorized by agency, age, sex, and county. Also, individuals can research the FBI's crimes in the U.S. portal for Kentucky's historical information on various crimes, such as rape, murder, rape, robbery, property crimes, etc., categorized by county.

Individuals could also find crime data reports specific to a county in Kentucky through the local police department. For example, the Lexington Police Department provides a month-by-month citywide crime report on its crime data webpage. Furthermore, the Louisville Metro Police Department provides access to local crime records through its Open Data Crime Portal.

Kentucky Criminal Record Check

A Kentucky criminal record check, also known as a criminal background check, can be conducted at either the state or local level. Kentucky criminal records are officially accessible through the Administrative Office of the Courts or the Kentucky State Police (KSP).

Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

• Online: Access statewide criminal records online through the AOC portals, AOCFastCheck, and One-Time Request. FastCheck enables requesters to order and retrieve criminal records online, while One-Time Request allows them to submit their requests online but receive the report by U.S. mail. Requesters should create an account on any of the portals, sign in, and search for a criminal record using the subject's first and last name. Each request incurs a non-refundable $25 fee, payable by credit card, with an additional 2.5% card transaction fee.
• In-person: Visit the AOC's physical location during business hours, Monday through Friday, to request a criminal records report in-person. In-person requests should be directed to the drive-thru window at the Administrative Office of the Courts, 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort. Each in-person request costs $25.00, payable by check, money order, or credit card. Most requesters receive the criminal record on the same day.
• By Mail: Download and fill out the criminal record request form, providing all necessary information. Mail the completed form along with the $25 fee (in check or money order payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer) in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Administrative Office of The Courts

Records Unit

1001 Vandalay Drive

Frankfort, KY 40601

Phone: (800) 928-6381.

The Kentucky State Police

• Inquirers may visit the KSP physical location and request an adult criminal history record on any individual with their first and last names. Third parties must show they have the permission of the record subject. Each request attracts a $20 fee payable in check or money order to the K.Y. State Treasurer.
• Mail a completed Background Checks Form with the $20 fee in money order or check to:

Kentucky State Police

Criminal Identifications and Records Branch

Criminal Records Dissemination Section

1266 Louisville Road

Frankfort, KY 40601.

Find Criminal Records Online in Kentucky

The AOCFastCheck portal allows individuals to access Kentucky criminal records online for inspection and duplication. However, users must pay a standard fee of $25 per request to use the service and retrieve criminal history reports online.

To use AOCFastCheck:

• First, register an account;
• Provide an email address, first and last name, address, and telephone number;
• When conducting a criminal record check, include details of the record subject, such as their full name, date of birth, and address, along with the requester's information.

Once the request is processed and the criminal record is ready, the requester will receive an email notification. Besides viewing records on the portal, individuals may print the report directly from the portal. Alternatively, individuals may use third-party aggregator sites to find Kentucky criminal records online. However, since these sites are unofficial, record availability may vary.

Free Criminal Record Search in Kentucky

Requestors may perform a criminal record search in Kentucky for free by requesting a fee waiver from the record custodian, such as the AOC or KSP. Otherwise, some third-party aggregator sites offer Kentucky criminal record searches for free. However, free searches on these sites usually yield limited information, as fees are typically required to obtain detailed criminal history reports. Third-party aggregator sites are searchable with full names and the state or location of the record subject.

What Does it Mean if You Have a Criminal Record in Kentucky?

Having a criminal record in Kentucky carries significant and far-reaching consequences. Individuals with such records often face challenges securing employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Furthermore, those with specific convictions may encounter limitations on professional licenses and restrictions on certain civil rights, including voting and firearm possession. Additionally, prior criminal convictions can impact judgments on subsequent criminal charges. The overall impact of these consequences highlights how serious it is to have a criminal record in Kentucky.

For this reason, the state allows individuals with criminal records to explore relief options, such as sealing or expunging a criminal record. Additionally, to mitigate the impact of a criminal record, Kentucky implemented the Fair Chance Employment Initiative, also known as the 'Ban the Box' law. This initiative eliminates employment barriers for individuals with a criminal record. Bans questions about convictions on job applications and provides individuals with criminal records a fair opportunity in the job application process.

Does Your Criminal Record Clear After 7 Years in Kentucky?

No. An individual's criminal record in Kentucky is not cleared after seven years. Unless sealed or expunged per state laws, Kentucky criminal records stay on file indefinitely or according to agency retention rules. However, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), criminal convictions do not appear on credit reports after seven years. However, a background check would generally reflect criminal convictions from the past seven years.

Per Kentucky expungement laws, individuals with felony, misdemeanor, or traffic violations can have their records expunged, typically within 3 years if their charges were dismissed. In the case of a class D felony, the waiting period is five years after serving their sentence. Additionally, individuals whose charges were acquitted or dismissed or who have been pardoned by the governor are also eligible under the law to completely erase their records (see KRS 431.079, 431.076, and 431.073).

Arrest Record Vs Criminal Record

While the terms "arrest record" and "criminal record" are sometimes used interchangeably, they differ. An arrest record is a documented list of instances in which law enforcement has arrested a person in connection with criminal activities. It usually includes details such as the date of arrest, charges filed, and possibly fingerprints and mugshots. However, it does not provide information on whether the individual was prosecuted or not.

On the other hand, a criminal record provides a comprehensive account of an individual's criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions (or dismissals, or acquittals), and sometimes details about sentences served.

Law enforcement agencies (such as police departments or local sheriff offices) maintain arrest records in Kentucky, while the Clerk of Court is the primary custodian of criminal records. Both arrest and criminal records can affect individuals significantly, but a criminal record tends to have a more pronounced impact, especially if it includes convictions.

Kentucky Police Records

A Kentucky police record refers to a comprehensive collection of reports and documentation created or maintained by law enforcement agencies in the state. These records, including arrest reports, crime reports, 911 tapes, warrants, and more, differ from criminal records.

While police records are public under the Kentucky Open Records Act, certain limitations apply. Under the Act, disclosure is restricted for juvenile records, information that may endanger a person's safety, records related to ongoing police investigations, and records whose disclosure is prohibited by federal law or the statutes of Kentucky.