Lexington Kentucky Criminal Court and Police Records

Lexington criminal court records are maintained through the Fayette County court system, as Kentucky does not operate separate municipal courts for cities. All felony and misdemeanor cases originating in Lexington are processed through Fayette County Circuit Court and District Court. The Lexington Police Department generates arrest records and incident reports, but criminal court records themselves are held by the Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk. Understanding where to request specific records helps you access the documents you need efficiently.

Fayette County Criminal Court Records for Lexington

Lexington is located entirely within Fayette County, and all criminal court cases from the city are filed and processed through the Fayette County court system. The Fayette County Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, while the District Court manages misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk Vincent Riggs oversees the maintenance and access to all court records for cases originating in Lexington.

The Circuit Court is located at the Robert F. Stephens Circuit Courthouse at 120 North Limestone in downtown Lexington. This courthouse handles all felony criminal prosecutions for Lexington residents. The District Court operates from the Robert F. Stephens District Courthouse at 150 North Limestone and provides 24-hour service for criminal matters, operating every day except December 24 and 25. This continuous availability ensures that arrestees can receive bond hearings and initial court appearances at any time.

To access Lexington criminal court records in person, visit the Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public access terminals are available for free use to search case information. You can request copies of documents at the counter for a fee of $0.25 per page for standard photocopies. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per additional page. The Circuit Criminal Division can be reached at (859) 246-2224 for questions about felony cases.

The District Criminal and Traffic Division, located at 150 North Limestone, Suite D-157, operates continuously and can be contacted at (859) 246-2228. This division handles misdemeanor cases, traffic citations, and ordinance violations from Lexington. For juvenile matters, contact the Juvenile Division at (859) 246-2234. Domestic violence cases are processed through the Domestic Violence Division at (859) 246-2248.

Lexington Police Department Records

The Lexington Police Department maintains police records including incident reports, arrest records, and collision reports. These records differ from criminal court records because they document the initial law enforcement response rather than court proceedings. If you need a police report from an incident in Lexington, you must request it directly from the police department rather than the courthouse.

The Lexington Police Records Division is located at 150 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507. You can contact the records office by phone at (859) 258-3675 or by email at ORR@lexingtonky.gov. The department accepts open records requests through an online electronic form submission system available on the Lexington city website.

Visit the Lexington Police Open Records page to learn more about requesting police reports and incident documentation from the Lexington Police Department.

Fees for Lexington Police Department records are set at $0.10 per page for standard copies. Collision reports cost $5 when requested in person or by mail, or $10 when ordered online. These reports document traffic accidents investigated by Lexington officers and include details about the incident, involved parties, and officer findings. Note that accident reports may have access restrictions under Kentucky law.

Police Records vs Criminal Court Records in Lexington

Understanding the difference between police records and criminal court records is essential when researching Lexington criminal history. Police records include incident reports, arrest reports, and collision documentation created by the Lexington Police Department. These documents record the initial law enforcement response to an incident. Criminal court records, by contrast, include charging documents, court proceedings, judgments, and sentencing orders created by the Fayette County courts.

The Lexington Police Department does NOT conduct background checks. This is a critical distinction for anyone seeking comprehensive criminal history information. The police department will refer all background check requests to the Administrative Office of the Courts. For official criminal background checks covering Lexington and all of Kentucky, contact the AOC Records Unit at 1-800-928-6381 or submit a request through the AOC FastCheck system.

Criminal background checks in Kentucky cost $25.00 per individual report. These checks cover misdemeanor and traffic cases from the past five years and felony cases dating back to 1978. The database contains over four million records from all 120 Kentucky counties. To request a background check by mail, complete Form AOC-RU-004 and send it with payment to the Administrative Office of the Courts Records Unit at 1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.

Learn more about Kentucky criminal background checks through the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Online Access to Lexington Criminal Court Records

Kentucky provides statewide online access to court records through several systems. CourtNet 2.0 is the primary case management system operated by the Administrative Office of the Courts. This database contains over four million records from all 120 Kentucky counties, including Fayette County cases from Lexington. You can search by party name, case number, or citation number to locate criminal cases.

Access to CourtNet 2.0 requires registration and payment for search credits. The system offers guest access for basic case information at no cost, while registered users receive enhanced access. You can search criminal cases specifically by selecting the criminal case category and choosing Fayette County as the jurisdiction. Felony cases are available dating back to 1978, while misdemeanor records cover the past five years or more.

The KYeCourts Public Portal provides free guest access to public case information throughout Kentucky. Visit the portal to search case information, pay court fees and fines online, and find court dates for Lexington cases. The system is available at kcoj.kycourts.net/kyecourts/login/guestlogin.

Fayette County participates in the CourtNet 2.0 system for case management. You can access the Fayette County court information page at kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Fayette for local court contact information and procedures specific to Lexington cases.

How to Request Lexington Criminal Court Records

Requesting criminal court records for Lexington cases involves contacting the appropriate court office in Fayette County. For in-person requests, visit the Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk's office at 120 North Limestone during business hours. Public access terminals allow free searching of case information. Staff can assist with locating records and provide copies upon request.

When requesting records, provide as much information as possible to help locate the case. Useful details include the full name of the defendant, date of birth, approximate date of the incident or filing, case number if known, and the type of charges. Records staff can search using available information, but more details result in faster location of files.

Payment options at the Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk include cash, check, and credit card. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard photocopies. Certified copies, which include an official seal verifying authenticity, cost $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per additional page. The office accepts personal checks, cash, and credit cards for payment.

For records between 15 and 35 years old, you may need to contact the Kentucky State Records Center in Frankfort. These older records require a case number and file locator number for retrieval. The Circuit Court Clerk can provide these numbers for cases within their retention period. Records older than 35 years may be stored at the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

Kentucky Open Records and Court Records Law

The Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS Chapter 61.870-61.884) grants residents the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records. However, court records are treated differently than other government records. The Kentucky Supreme Court held in Ex Parte Farley that custody and control of court records are inseparable from the judicial function and are not subject to the Open Records Act. This means court records are managed under Kentucky Court of Justice rules rather than KORA.

Under Kentucky law, most adult criminal court records are public and accessible to anyone. Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed cases, adoption records, and certain sensitive information. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and victim contact information are typically redacted from public copies of court records.

Lexington Police Department records fall under the Kentucky Open Records Act. To request police records, submit a written request including your name, address, and a statement that you are a Kentucky resident. The police department must respond within five business days, excluding weekends and holidays. Requests can be submitted online through the city's public records portal.

Submit an open records request to the Lexington Police Department through the online portal.

Additional Resources for Lexington Criminal Records

Several additional resources may help you locate criminal records information related to Lexington. The Fayette County Detention Center maintains inmate records for individuals arrested in Lexington. You can contact the detention center at (859) 425-2700 for booking information. The Lexington city website also provides an inmate locator tool for recent arrests.

The Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) system at kool.corrections.ky.gov provides information about individuals incarcerated in Kentucky state prisons. This includes Lexington residents serving sentences in state facilities. The system shows current location, sentence information, and projected release dates.

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is available at vinelink.com for victims who want to receive automated notifications about court dates and offender status. This service is free and helps victims stay informed about cases from Lexington.

For questions about criminal prosecution in Lexington, the Fayette County Attorney's Office handles misdemeanor prosecutions. Visit fayettecountyattorney.com for more information. The Commonwealth's Attorney prosecutes felony cases in Fayette County.

Related Criminal Court Records Pages

For more detailed information about Fayette County court procedures and records, visit the county page below. You may also find useful information on other Kentucky city pages.