Kentucky Warrant Search

A warrant search helps Kentucky residents look for existing, outstanding, or expired warrants on themselves or any other person living within the state of Kentucky. Warrants are generally generated by the Kentucky Court System and are addressed to local law enforcement agencies, such as the county/city police department or county sheriffs. As such, these organizations usually maintain a repository for all warrants issued within the state and typically make them available to interested parties who visit their offices to conduct a warrant search. Some of the offices named above operate websites where inquirers can search for warrants.

Several parties, such as the person named in a warrant, an official from law enforcement, and any other interested Kentucky resident, may perform a warrant lookup to find any kind of warrant, including search warrants, bench warrants, and arrest warrants. Background checks during any of the following may necessitate a warrant search:

• Certain professional licenses and certifications
• Security clearances at government agencies and certain private organizations
• Foster care or child adoption processing
• Purchase of firearms
• Employment
• Rental applications.

What is a Warrant?

In Kentucky, a warrant is an official document, commonly referred to as a writ, issued by a judge ordering law enforcement officials to perform an action. Without a warrant, law enforcement officials are not authorized to perform actions such as arresting a person, searching a specified place, person, or object, and seizing specified properties from people. Otherwise, they would be guilty of violating a person's civil rights.

A warrant can only be issued based on probable cause. Probable cause must have factual backing, such as witness statements and physical evidence. To obtain a warrant in Kentucky, a law enforcement officer must apply to a court with competent jurisdiction over the territory where the subject of the warrant is located at the time of the application. The most common types of warrants issued in Kentucky are search warrants, bench warrants, and arrest warrants.

Are Warrants Public Record in Kentucky?

Yes. Warrants are public records per the Kentucky Open Records Act. Under this act, any interested person may inspect and make copies of all warrants issued by any court in Kentucky, regardless of type or status, except for those exempted by court order or statute.

As a general rule, details of unexecuted search warrants are non-public. This restriction is necessary to protect the integrity of the search. Notwithstanding, limited information about the warrant may be available to interested parties, such as the fact that it has been issued, the general nature of the investigation, and the charges involved.

How Do I Look Up Warrants in Kentucky?

Aside from the official search databases for a Kentucky warrant search, an individual may obtain warrant information from unofficial sources, such as websites provided by independent third parties. Most third-party websites can be used to search for warrants and other types of public records generated in other states. To facilitate a warrant search, the individual must provide the subject's full name and date of birth. Providing additional details like city, county, or state may help narrow down the search results.

Additionally, some websites have other requirements, like a requester opening an account or paying a fee before accessing records. If possible, searchers should take the time to verify information obtained from third-party sources against that from official government sources.

Finally, warrant information obtainable from free sources is mostly basic. To access full reports, a requester may have to pay an access fee or become a subscriber. Fees usually range between $1 and $25, while some may be higher depending on the website.

What is a Search Warrant in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, a search warrant is a legal written document signed and issued by a judge authorizing law enforcement officers to search a person, object, or premises. Search warrants also authorize the seizure and copying of items found at the location specified in the warrant.

Are Search Warrants Public Records in Kentucky?

No. Search warrants are non-public in Kentucky until they have been executed. Otherwise, a search warrant becomes public only upon expiration or by court order.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Search Warrant in Kentucky?

It typically takes a few hours for a search warrant to be issued. However, a law enforcement officer may expedite the issuance of a search warrant if the case at hand is considered urgent. A major determining factor is the weight of the probable cause presented before the court.

How Long Does a Search Warrant Last?

In Kentucky, search warrants remain executable within ten days from the date of issuance. As a general rule, executed search warrants must be returned to the issuing court/judge/magistrate within 24 hours of execution.

What is a Bench Warrant in Kentucky?

A bench warrant is a type of arrest warrant that orders the arrest of a person who failed to appear at a scheduled court hearing or trial. In Kentucky, a bench warrant may attract consequences such as fines, revocation of bond or bail, or jail time, depending on the nature of the offense that first resulted in the court hearing. A bench warrant is typically issued for the arrest of people who:

• Violate the terms of a parole
• Disobey a court order
• Refused to pay child or spousal support.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Kentucky?

An arrest warrant is a written court order approving the arrest of an individual suspected of committing a criminal offense. The issuance of an arrest warrant is always based on probable cause presented before the judge to establish that the person named committed a crime. Arrest warrants do not expire; they remain active for life or until recalled by a judicial officer.

How to Check if You Have a Warrant in Kentucky

Individuals who have an ongoing legal case or other reason to believe that a warrant has been issued in their name should contact their attorney or visit the clerk of court’s office where the case is being heard for inquiries. Other options are the local police department and the office of the county sheriff.

Note that people who have an active arrest warrant in their name risk being arrested on sight if they come into contact with law enforcement officers. As a result, it is safer to hire a criminal defense lawyer to help with the inquiry or resort to online lookup methods.

Certain government offices in charge of warrants offer mail-in options that inquirers can use to request warrant information. Information about the various access methods is available on the websites of most record custodial agencies.

Can You Check Warrants Online in Kentucky?

Yes. Online warrant searches can be conducted using integrated search tools on websites provided by most custodial agencies, particularly county superior courts, county sheriffs, and local police departments, and are typically free. However, reproducing copies of warrants usually attracts a fee. Some Kentucky counties that offer online lookup tools include Kenton County, McCracken County, and Warren County.

How To Find Out If You Have a Warrant for Free

In-person warrant lookups at courthouses, local police departments, and county sheriff's offices are mostly free. Similarly, many free online options are provided by various governments and third-party aggregate websites. To find a warrant on any person, a requester must input the full name of the warrant’s subject in the appropriate spaces on search portals. While an attorney may be able to access warrant information for free, note that the requester must pay for their services.

How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant Online For Free in Kentucky

Interested parties can find out if there is an existing warrant issued in Kentucky on any person’s name by visiting the websites of the clerk of the court where the said individual had an ongoing court case, the local police department, or the county sheriff. While many third-party websites facilitate free warrant searches, bear in mind that detailed reports are only available for a fee. Warrants classified as non-public, such as unexecuted search warrants, are unavailable online.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, the validity period of a warrant varies with the kind of warrant. Search warrants have the shortest lifespan, as they remain valid for the first ten days after issuance. They may last longer if the court deems an extension necessary. Arrest warrants and bench warrants do not have an expiration date. Once issued, they stay active until the person named in the warrant is arrested or the issuing court recalls or quashes the warrant. Bench warrants differ a little from arrest records in that a judge may explicitly state their validity period in the terms of the warrant.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Federal Warrant?

The federal body responsible for managing federal warrants is the U.S. Marshals Service. It maintains all federal warrant records on the Warrant Information System (WIN). However, information available on WIN is only accessible to U.S. marshals and other authorized parties. Thus, obtaining federal warrants via this method may be difficult.

As such, a person may only learn about the existence of a federal warrant in their name when law enforcement officers show up at their residence or workplace. A person having their name listed on the Wanted Persons list of the FBI could be a clear indication that there is a federal warrant in their name. Lastly, local courts and police departments may have useful information regarding federal warrants.