Fayette County Public Records / Fayette County Arrest Records

Fayette County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fayette County

Arrest records in Fayette County, Kentucky, are generally considered public records under state law. Kentucky's Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870 et seq., establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement agencies. Under this framework, arrest records generated by the Lexington Police Department, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement bodies operating within the county are presumptively open to inspection by any member of the public upon request.

It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the fact that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement; it does not indicate guilt or the outcome of any criminal proceeding. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt entered by a court of law. Under current law, an arrest that does not result in a conviction may still appear in public records unless the individual has obtained an expungement. The Kentucky State Police maintains the statewide criminal history repository and administers background check services that may reflect both arrest and conviction data.

Certain categories of arrest records may be withheld from public disclosure. Records pertaining to ongoing investigations, juvenile arrests, and sealed or expunged records are exempt from routine public access under applicable provisions of Kentucky law.

Lexington Police Department (Fayette County) 150 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 258-3600 Lexington Police Department

Fayette County Sheriff's Office 150 N. Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 252-1771 Fayette County Sheriff's Office

What's in Fayette County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Fayette County law enforcement agencies typically contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking. The specific contents may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the offense.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Race, sex, height, weight, and physical descriptors
Last known residential address

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., Lexington Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff's Office)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed at the time of arrest
Applicable Kentucky Revised Statutes citation for each charge
Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of the issuing authority

Booking Information:

Booking number assigned by the detention facility
Date and time of booking
Facility where the individual was processed

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, or release on recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
Bond status (posted, pending, or forfeited)

Court Information:

Case number assigned by the Fayette Circuit or District Court
Scheduled court appearance dates
Presiding court division

Custody Status:

Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
Release date if applicable
Facility of current detention if still held

Additional Information May Include:

Fingerprint records and biometric data
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Narrative arrest report prepared by the arresting officer
Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Fayette County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Fayette County arrest records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that generated it.

Submit an Open Records Request to the Lexington Police Department: Individuals seeking arrest reports may submit a written Open Records Act request to the Lexington Police Department's Records Unit, located at 150 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507. Requests may be submitted in person during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) or by mail. A per-page copying fee may apply.
Contact the Fayette County Detention Center: Booking records and current custody information may be obtained by contacting the Fayette County Detention Center directly. Staff can confirm whether an individual is currently in custody and provide basic booking information.
Request Records from the Fayette Circuit Court Clerk: Court-related arrest records, including charging documents and warrant records, are available through the Office of the Fayette Circuit Court Clerk. The Fayette County court information page maintained by the Kentucky Court of Justice provides contact details and guidance for submitting records requests.
Submit a Background Check Request to Kentucky State Police: The Kentucky State Police administers the statewide criminal history record system. Members of the public may request a criminal history record check by submitting the appropriate form and applicable fee to KSP's Records Section.

Fayette County Detention Center 1 Leestown Rd., Lexington, KY 40508 (859) 252-2551 Fayette County Detention Center

Fayette Circuit Court Clerk's Office 120 N. Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 246-2171 Kentucky Court of Justice – Fayette

How To Find Fayette County Arrest Records Online

Several official online platforms currently provide access to Fayette County arrest-related information without requiring an in-person visit.

Kentucky Court of Justice eCourt Public Portal: The Kentucky Court of Justice operates an online case search tool that allows members of the public to search for case records by name, case number, or citation. This portal reflects charges filed in Fayette Circuit and District Courts and may include arrest-related case filings.
Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL): The Kentucky Department of Corrections maintains the Kentucky Offender Online Lookup system, which allows users to search for individuals currently under state supervision or housed in a state correctional facility, including the Fayette County Detention Center.
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Online Services: The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government website provides access to certain public safety data and may include recent arrest logs or incident reports published by the Lexington Police Department.
Kentucky State Police Background Checks: The Kentucky State Police website provides information on how to request official criminal history records online, including instructions for submitting electronic requests.

How To Search Fayette County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access certain Fayette County arrest records at no cost through the following official resources.

Kentucky Court of Justice eCourt Portal: The public case search function available through the Kentucky Court of Justice is currently accessible at no charge and provides case-level information including charges, court dates, and dispositions.
Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL): The Kentucky Department of Corrections offender search tool is free to use and provides custody status, facility location, and supervision information for individuals in the state corrections system.
In-Person Inspection at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office: Under KRS § 61.872, members of the public have the right to inspect public records in person at no charge. Copying fees may apply if physical copies are requested, but inspection itself is free.
Lexington Police Department Public Records Inspection: Individuals may inspect arrest logs and publicly available incident reports in person at the Lexington Police Department Records Unit during regular business hours without incurring a fee for inspection.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Fayette County

Kentucky law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (permanent erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for certain authorized uses). These are distinct legal remedies with different eligibility criteria and effects.

Expungement results in the destruction or erasure of the arrest record from law enforcement and court databases. Once expunged, the record is treated as though it never existed for most purposes, and the individual may lawfully state that no such arrest occurred.

Sealing restricts public access to the record but does not destroy it. Sealed records may remain accessible to certain government agencies, courts, and law enforcement for specified purposes.

Under KRS § 431.076, individuals arrested but not convicted—including cases that were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or were not prosecuted—may be eligible to petition for expungement of the arrest record. Eligibility conditions include:

The charges were dismissed with prejudice or the individual was acquitted at trial
No other criminal proceedings are pending against the petitioner
The offense is not among those specifically excluded by statute

For felony convictions, Kentucky law permits expungement of certain Class D felonies under KRS § 431.073, subject to a waiting period and other eligibility requirements. Misdemeanor convictions may also be eligible for expungement under applicable provisions.

Steps to Petition for Expungement in Fayette County:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case information from the Fayette Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
Confirm eligibility based on the nature of the charge and the case outcome.
Complete the appropriate petition form, available through the Kentucky Court of Justice or the Fayette Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
File the petition with the Fayette Circuit or District Court, as applicable, and pay the required filing fee (fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals).
Attend any scheduled hearing on the petition.
If the petition is granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the record.

What Happens After Arrest in Fayette County?

The criminal justice process in Fayette County follows a structured sequence of events from the point of arrest through final case disposition.

Arrest and Booking: Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Fayette County Detention Center for booking. Booking involves recording personal information, photographing, fingerprinting, and entering charges into the detention system.
Initial Appearance: Within a reasonable time after arrest—typically within 24 to 48 hours—the individual appears before a District Court judge or magistrate for an initial appearance. At this stage, the court reviews the charges, advises the defendant of their rights, and sets bond conditions.
Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: For felony charges, the case proceeds either to a preliminary hearing in District Court or to a grand jury in Circuit Court, where probable cause is evaluated.
Arraignment: The defendant is formally arraigned in the appropriate court, enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest), and receives a schedule of future court dates.
Pre-Trial Proceedings: Both parties engage in discovery, motions practice, and potential plea negotiations. The Fayette County court system manages scheduling for all pre-trial matters.
Trial or Plea: If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial before a judge or jury. If a plea is entered, the court schedules a sentencing hearing.
Sentencing and Disposition: Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Kentucky law. The case record is updated to reflect the final disposition.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Fayette County?

Arrest records in Fayette County are subject to retention schedules established under Kentucky law and applicable administrative regulations. Different agencies maintain records for varying periods depending on the nature of the record and the outcome of the associated case.

Under Kentucky's public records retention framework, law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum period established by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). Arrest records for serious felony offenses may be retained permanently or for extended periods, while records for minor offenses or arrests that did not result in prosecution may be subject to shorter retention schedules.

Key retention principles currently in effect include:

Felony arrest records are typically retained for a minimum of five years following case closure, with many agencies retaining such records permanently.
Misdemeanor arrest records are generally retained for a minimum of three to five years following final disposition.
Juvenile arrest records are subject to separate, more restrictive retention and access rules under Kentucky law.
Expunged records are destroyed or returned to the petitioner pursuant to court order, removing them from the agency's retention schedule.

Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. Agencies including the Lexington Police Department, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, and the Fayette County Detention Center each maintain independent retention schedules in compliance with state guidelines.

How to Find Mugshots in Fayette County

What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized booking photograph taken by law enforcement at the time an individual is processed into custody. Mugshots are part of the official booking record and document the individual's appearance at the time of arrest.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained In Fayette County, booking photographs are maintained by the Fayette County Detention Center as part of the official booking record. The Lexington Police Department and other arresting agencies may also retain copies as part of their arrest documentation.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request booking photographs through a formal Open Records Act request submitted to the Fayette County Detention Center or the Lexington Police Department. Requests should identify the individual by full name and, if known, the date of arrest or booking number.

Can They Be Found Online At present, Fayette County does not operate a publicly accessible online mugshot database. Some third-party websites aggregate and publish booking photographs obtained from public records; however, these sites are not official government resources and may not reflect current or accurate information.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially To obtain an official copy of a booking photograph, submit a written Open Records Act request to:

Fayette County Detention Center – Records Unit 1 Leestown Rd., Lexington, KY 40508 (859) 252-2551 Fayette County Detention Center

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Booking photographs associated with expunged or sealed records are not subject to public disclosure. Juvenile booking photographs are exempt from public access under Kentucky law. Law enforcement agencies retain discretion to withhold photographs where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation.