Fayette County Public Records /Fayette County Criminal Records

Fayette County Criminal Records

What Is Fayette County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Fayette County, Kentucky, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies operating within the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Members of the public should understand the key distinctions among record types:

Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement. An arrest record does not indicate guilt and is distinct from a conviction record, which reflects a formal finding or plea of guilt following judicial proceedings.
Felony records involve serious criminal offenses — such as murder, robbery, or drug trafficking — that carry sentences of one year or more in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses, such as petty theft or simple assault, typically punishable by fines or incarceration in a county jail for up to twelve months.
Adult records are generally accessible to the public under Kentucky law. Juvenile records, by contrast, are presumptively sealed pursuant to KRS § 610.340, which restricts disclosure of records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles.
Active warrant records reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been resolved.

Criminal records maintained in Fayette County include documentation of charges filed, arraignments, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and conditions of probation or parole. The principal agencies responsible for maintaining these records include the Fayette County Sheriff's Office (arrests and jail records), the Fayette Circuit and District Courts (case filings and dispositions), the Kentucky State Police (statewide criminal history), and the Lexington Police Department (local arrest and incident reports).

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

Are Criminal Records Public In Fayette County

Criminal records in Fayette County are presumptively open to the public under the Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870 et seq. This statute establishes that all public agency records are subject to inspection by any person unless a specific exemption applies. Under current law, adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing orders, and most arrest records are accessible to members of the public upon request.

The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:

Adult conviction records and court dispositions
Felony and misdemeanor case filings in Circuit and District Court
Booking and jail records maintained by the Fayette County Detention Center
Sex offender registration information

The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:

Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would harm the investigation
Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed by operation of KRS § 610.340
Expunged records, which are treated as if they never existed following a court order under KRS § 431.073
Confidential informant identities and certain victim information in sensitive cases

Public agencies in Fayette County are required to respond to open records requests within five business days of receipt, as mandated by KRS § 61.880.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Fayette County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Fayette County criminal records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required.

Step 1 — Identify the appropriate agency. Court case records are maintained by the Fayette County Office of Circuit Court Clerk. Arrest and booking records are held by the Fayette County Detention Center and the Lexington Police Department. Statewide criminal history reports are available through the Kentucky State Police or the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

Step 2 — Gather required identifying information. Requestors should have the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and, where available, a Social Security number or state identification number. Providing accurate identifying information reduces processing time and improves search accuracy.

Step 3 — Submit a request in person or by mail. The Fayette County Office of Circuit Court Clerk accepts in-person requests at the courthouse during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Written requests may be submitted by mail with applicable fees enclosed.

Step 4 — Request a certified background check if needed. For employment, licensing, or legal purposes, members of the public may request a certified criminal history report through the AOC background check portal or through Kentucky State Police background check services, which also facilitates FBI nationwide checks requiring fingerprinting.

Step 5 — Pay applicable fees. Fees vary by record type and agency. Certified copies of court records typically carry a per-page fee. Background check reports through the AOC or KSP carry a flat processing fee established by administrative regulation.

Fayette County Office of Circuit Court Clerk 120 N. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 246-2271 Fayette Circuit Court

How To Find Criminal Records in Fayette County Online

Several official online portals currently provide access to Fayette County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.

Kentucky Court of Justice — eCourts Case Search The Kentucky Court of Justice operates an online case search system that allows members of the public to search civil and criminal case records by name, case number, or citation number. The Fayette District Court handles misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases, while the Fayette Circuit Court handles felony matters and appeals. Both court divisions' records are searchable through the AOC's online portal. No registration is required for basic name searches; however, access to certain case documents may require a registered account.

Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) The Kentucky Department of Corrections maintains the Kentucky Offender Online Lookup system, which provides current information on individuals incarcerated in state correctional facilities, including those held at the Fayette County Detention Center and the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center. The KOOL system is publicly accessible at no charge and does not require user registration.

AOC Background Check Portal The Administrative Office of the Courts provides an online portal for ordering official state criminal record reports. The AOC Records Unit compiles reports based on information maintained within the Kentucky court system. Online orders require payment of the applicable fee and submission of identifying information.

Kentucky State Police — Online Background Checks The Kentucky State Police offers online submission for state and FBI background checks. FBI-level checks require fingerprinting at an authorized location. Members of the public seeking their own criminal history for personal review may submit requests directly through the KSP background check portal.

Records that are available only through in-person inspection include certain sealed case documents, expunged record confirmation letters, and original paper filings predating electronic court systems.

Can You Search Fayette County Criminal Records for Free

Kentucky law does not require agencies to provide copies of records at no charge; however, the Open Records Act, KRS § 61.874, mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect non-exempt public records at no cost. Fees may be charged only for reproduction of records, not for the act of inspection itself.

The following resources are currently available at no charge:

Kentucky Court of Justice case search — Basic name and case number searches through the AOC online portal are free of charge and provide access to case status, charges, and disposition information for Fayette Circuit and District Court matters.
Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) — The Department of Corrections' offender search tool is free and publicly accessible, providing current incarceration status and facility location.
In-person inspection at the Circuit Court Clerk's office — Members of the public may inspect court case files in person at the Fayette County courthouse at no cost; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Lexington Police Department arrest logs — The Lexington Division of Police periodically publishes arrest information accessible through the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's official website at no charge.

Certified copies, official background check reports, and records requiring staff research time are subject to fees established by statute or administrative regulation.

What's Included in a Fayette County Criminal Record

A comprehensive Fayette County criminal record may contain the following categories of information, depending on the maintaining agency and the nature of the case.

Identifying Information

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
Last known address
State Identification (SID) number and FBI number, where assigned

Arrest Information

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency (e.g., Lexington Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff's Office)
Booking number and date of booking
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Bail or bond amount set and conditions of release
Jail facility (Fayette County Detention Center)

Court Case Information

Case number and assigned court (Circuit or District)
Filing date and jurisdiction
Charges as filed, including applicable Kentucky Revised Statutes citations and offense classification (felony class A–D or misdemeanor class A–B)
Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
Attorney of record and prosecuting agency

Disposition Information

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
Conviction date, if applicable
Sentencing details: type of sentence (imprisonment, probation, conditional discharge), length, fines, restitution ordered, and special conditions
Appeals filed and outcomes
Probation or parole status and supervising agency

Additional Record Elements

Active or recalled arrest warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration status
DUI/DWI convictions and administrative license actions
Traffic violations adjudicated in District Court
Pending charges awaiting disposition

How Long Does Fayette County Keep Criminal Records

Fayette County agencies and the Kentucky Court of Justice retain criminal records in accordance with schedules established under Kentucky administrative regulations and state statute. Under current law, the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) establishes mandatory retention schedules applicable to all public agencies.

Felony court case files — Retained permanently by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, as required by the Kentucky Court of Justice records retention schedule.
Misdemeanor court case files — Retained for a minimum of five years following final disposition, with many records retained longer at the discretion of the clerk's office.
Arrest and booking records — Retained by the Fayette County Detention Center and the Lexington Police Department for a minimum of five years; records involving serious offenses may be retained indefinitely.
Expunged records — Following a court order of expungement under KRS § 431.073, records are removed from public access; however, certain law enforcement agencies may retain sealed copies for internal use as permitted by statute.
Juvenile records — Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood and eligible for destruction after specified periods under KRS § 610.340, unless the juvenile was tried as an adult.
Sex offender registration records — Maintained indefinitely by the Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry for individuals subject to lifetime registration requirements.

Fayette County Detention Center 1000 Leestown Rd., Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 252-2551

Kentucky State Police — Central Records Branch 1250 Louisville Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 227-8700 Kentucky State Police Background Checks