Bell County Arrest Records

Bell County arrest records refer to all official files regarding arrests conducted within the county. Such records might include the arrestee's name, charges, location, bond, and crime scene evidence. Peace officers in Bell County have the legal right to arrest persons suspected of breaking the law. After an arrest, officers may detain arrestees in the county jail until they are bailed or arraigned before a court.

The Bell County sheriff's office is the primary custodian of arrest records. As the custodian, the agency also discloses copies of arrest records to interested parties. Besides the sheriff's office, arrest information is also accessible through public files maintained by other agencies. For instance, you may find arrest information in Bell County records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Bell County?

Most Bell County arrest records are classified as public documents under the Kentucky Open Records Act. The state law allows public members to make requests or inspect public documents generated by government entities. In turn, government agencies must disclose records upon requests from record seekers. The agencies may maintain online or offline access points through which the requesters may obtain records. For example, the county sheriff's office offers offline access to arrest records at this location:

P.O. Box 336
Pineville, KY 40977
Phone: (606) 337-3102
Fax: (606) 337-8391

The state law prevents public or unauthorized access to certain arrest information. Examples of such excluded information may include the following:

• Documents that may disclose the identities of informants in a criminal investigation.
• Crime scene footage that contains sensitive or gruesome scenes.
• Arrest records that are sealed or classified as confidential under statutes or court orders.

Bell County Arrest Statistics

The Kentucky State Police generates a yearly report for all arrests made in the state. According to the agency's annual report, Bell County's law enforcement agencies made 4,749 arrests in 2023. The officers make arrests for crimes like robbery and driving under the influence. In contrast, there are no county-level inmate reports in the state. However, as of January 15, 2024, the state's correctional facilities housed 19,309 inmates.

Find Bell County Arrest Records

Interested parties may find Bell County arrest records by contacting or using resources provided by the record custodian entities. For instance, you may contact the county sheriff's office to find arrest or incident reports.

Inmate databases also contain most arrest information, including the arrestee's name, mugshot, criminal charges, booking date, bond type, and amount. Inquirers may use the Bell County jail inmate listing to view arrest information of current inmates. Conversely, the Kentucky Department of Corrections website hosts an online search database for current inmates in the state's correctional centers. To access inmate information, inquirers must fill in at least one of these details:

• Offender's full name
• Offender type.
• DOC and PID numbers.
• County of supervision.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons, via the inmate locator, also provides access to inmate records. Inquirers must fill in the inmate's name or prison number to view records on the platform.

Bell County Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

Bell County arrest records are quite distinct from criminal records in the following ways:

The records contain different information

You will only find arrest-related information in arrest reports. The report generally provides information on the arrestee's personal data, charge description, and bond amount. However, criminal records contain an individual's full criminal history, including arrest, court, and sentencing data.

The records are accessible through different agencies

Law enforcement agencies are the primary custodians of Bell County arrest records. The agency also releases the records to interested parties. On the other hand, you may find criminal history records at the Kentucky Police Department or the state's Court of Justice.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Bell County, arrests remain indefinitely on public records unless sealed or expunged. The Kentucky Open Slate Act automatically expunges dismissed arrest charges. However, you must petition a court of competent jurisdiction to expunge conviction records. Note that only eligible persons may expunge their records.

Bell County Arrest Warrants

Bell County arrest warrants are court documents that authorize the arrest of the persons named on the warrant. A court magistrate may issue arrest warrants upon receiving an affidavit that the defendant violated the law. Magistrates also issue warrants if the defendant is a flight risk.

In Bell County, arrest warrants typically contain the following information:

• The defendant's data, including names, physical features, and address.
• Charge description.
• A statement that the offender must be arrested.
• The court official's signature.

Do Bell County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Bell County. These court documents remain valid even after the statute of limitations for the crime has elapsed. However, warrants only become invalid after the defendant is arrested or the court revokes the order.

Expunge Bell County Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal process for removing criminal convictions from public records. You may expunge conviction records by petitioning the General Session Court. Note that only the following parties are eligible to expunge criminal records:

• You were convicted of a misdemeanor.
• You were arrested, but the charges were dismissed without prejudice.
• You were convicted but received a pardon from the governor,,
• You were convicted of a felony D offense.

How to expunge criminal records in Bell County?

1. Collect an expungement certificate from the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts. You may request the certificate online or offline. For offline requests, send a completed request form via mail or in person to:
   Records Unit
   Administrative Office of the Courts
   1001 Vandalay Drive
   Frankfort, KY 40601
2. After getting the certificate, you must fill out one of these forms:
   • Petition to vacate and expunge misdemeanors.
   • Petition to vacate and expunge Class D felony.
3. Include a $100 non-refundable fee along with the request.
4. Mail all the forms, certificate, and fee to:
   400 Main Street Southwest
   Knoxville, TN 37902
   Phone: (865) 215-2375