Allen County Arrest Records

Police officers or deputies in Allen County can arrest someone when they have strong reasons to believe the person broke the law, which could be because the officer saw the crime happen, found evidence during an investigation, or got a warrant from a judge. After an arrest, the person is taken to the Allen County Detention Center for booking, where officers record their name, charges, and fingerprints. The officers keep these arrest records as public documents, which people can request under Kentucky law with some restrictions. These arrest records are often connected to other legal documents found in Allen County Court Records, such as case files, court hearings, and final decisions. Arrest details may also appear in state or national criminal history records kept by other government agencies.

Are Arrest Records Public in Allen County?

Yes, arrest records in Allen County are generally considered public records under the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870–61.884), which means most people can request to view or get copies (§ 61.872). However, some parts of those records must be kept private. For example, information that would invade someone's personal privacy, details from ongoing criminal investigations, witness or informant identities, police notes and drafts, and central criminal history files are all exempt and not released unless a court orders it (§ 61.878). To access arrest records, requesters usually must submit a written request to the sheriff's office or detention center, pay reasonable copying fees, and—if they live outside Kentucky—cover mailing costs. Kentucky residents have a legal right to these records, while out-of-state requesters can request them but may not enforce denial (§ 61.872(1) & (3)).

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record in Allen County includes the following:

• Full name of the person arrested
• Date and time of the arrest
• Location of the arrest
• Arresting agency (e.g., Allen County Sheriff's Office or city police)
• Charges filed at the time of arrest
• Booking number and booking date
• Mugshot (if not restricted by local policy)
• Personal description (such as age, gender, height, weight)
• Bail or bond amount, if applicable
• Court date or case status, if known at the time
• Holding facility (such as the Allen County Detention Center)

Allen County Arrest Statistics

The 2023 Kentucky Crime Annual Report shows that Allen County recorded a total of 2,392 arrests—2,390 involving adults and just two involving juveniles. Of these, 879 were for Group A offenses (878 adults and one juvenile), while the remaining 1,513 arrests were for Group B offenses (1,512 adults and one juvenile).

Find Allen County Arrest Records

The Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) is a free tool that lets people search for inmates in state prisons. Individuals can look someone up by name or prison ID to see their photo, where they are being held, and when they might be released. For people arrested in Allen County, the Allen County Detention Center has a local inmate list on the sheriff's website. This list shows who is currently in jail, what they were charged with, when they were booked, and how much their bail is. Arrests made by the Allen County Sheriff's Office, Scottsville Police Department, and other nearby police departments all go through this detention center, so their records show up there too.

If someone from Allen County is taken into federal custody, anyone can use the U.S. Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator to find out where they are being held and when they might get out searching by their name or prison number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Allen County

Individuals can access the Allen County Detention Center's free online roster on the Sheriff's Office website to see who is currently booked in the county jail. They may also use the Kentucky Department of Corrections' KOOL system at no cost to look up state prison inmates. Additionally, they can consult free third-party public-records sites that aggregate county and court data, although these resources may not always reflect the most current information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Kentucky, arrest records remain on a person's record permanently, unless they are expunged by court order. An arrest that does not lead to a conviction may be eligible for expungement after 60 days, while certain misdemeanor or felony charges may be expunged after a longer waiting period—typically five years after completion of the sentence for eligible misdemeanors. Without expungement, the arrest stays on the individual's criminal record for life, and this guideline is followed by county law enforcement across the state, including in Allen County.

Expunge Allen County Arrest Records

Kentucky law under KRS §§ 431.076, 431.078, and 431.073 allows individuals to have certain arrest records erased or sealed from public view. Arrests that end in an acquittal or in a dismissal "with prejudice" are automatically expunged within thirty days of the court order under KRS § 431.076. When a case is dismissed "without prejudice", one may petition for expungement after waiting one year for misdemeanors, three years for felonies, or six months for felony charges not resulting in an indictment.

For convictions—most misdemeanors (including traffic offenses) under KRS § 431.078, and Class D felonies under KRS § 431.073—petitioners must remain conviction-free for five years after completing their sentence, probation, or parole, obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Kentucky State Police or the Administrative Office of the Courts, and file in the circuit court where the conviction occurred. Filing fees depend on the offense—typically $100 for misdemeanors and $50 plus a $250 approval fee for felonies—and once expungement is granted, all related records are sealed or destroyed, and the individual is no longer required to disclose the expunged charge on most applications.

Allen County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Allen County is a court-issued order—signed by a judge or magistrate—authorizing law enforcement to take a named individual into custody when there is probable cause to believe they committed a crime; it is requested via a sworn affidavit from deputies or police outlining the alleged offense and supporting facts, and becomes necessary whenever officers lack grounds for a warrantless arrest (for example, if the crime occurred out of their presence or involves serious felonies). The warrant itself contains the subject's name, alleged offense(s), statement of probable cause, the issuing court's name, date of issuance, and the judge's signature, and remains active until served, withdrawn, or recalled—all local agencies are notified through the sheriff's office when a warrant's status changes.

Do Allen County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants in Allen County do not expire by themselves—they stay active until something is done to close the case. A warrant can be cleared if the person is arrested, if the court cancels it, or if the case is resolved in another legal way. According to Kentucky's rules, a police officer can arrest someone at any time based on a valid warrant, even if they do not have the paper copy with them, as long as they explain the reason for the arrest. This means a warrant stays in effect and can be used to make an arrest until the person deals with it through the proper legal steps.