Franklin County Arrest Records

Franklin County arrest records are official details of arrests within Franklin County, Kentucky. These documents may become accessible as part of Franklin County court records.

Kentucky and federal laws grant law enforcement officers legal rights to effect arrests if they witness criminal acts or the courts issue arrest warrants. Also, arrests may become necessary under exigent circumstances. For instance, law officers can arrest individuals without warrants if there is an immediate threat to public safety.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Frankfort Police Department, the Kentucky State Police (KSP), and other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies generate arrest records during official duties. In Franklin County, law enforcement agencies detain individuals awaiting trials and those serving short-term incarceration at the Franklin County Regional Jail; long-term convicts serve their prison terms at state prison facilities.

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County?

Yes, Franklin County arrest records are public. The Kentucky Revised Statutes 61.870 to 61.884 permit interested individuals to request public records (including Franklin County arrest records) from government agencies.

However, Franklin County arrest records are publicly inaccessible if they relate to:

• Information that may interfere with ongoing investigations
• Juveniles
• Sealed or expunged records
• Sexual assaults
• Domestic violence
• Medical or mental health cases
• Confidential victim or informant information.

In Franklin County, access to exempted arrest records is limited to the subjects of the records, law enforcement, and legally authorized individuals.

Franklin County Arrest Statistics

Data from the FBI UCR arrest statistics show a steady rise in Franklin County between 2021 and 2023. In 2021, there were 5,984 arrests within Franklin County. This figure rose to 7,633 in 2022 and 8,606 in 2023. Within 2021 and 2023, over 16,000 males and 6,000 females were arrested for various offenses within Franklin County. Per FBI statistics, drug/narcotics violations, DUI, and simple assaults were the most consistent arrestable offenses within Franklin County between 2021 and 2023. There were 1,040, 966, and 631 drug/narcotics violations, DUI, and simple assault arrests within Franklin County between 2021 and 2023.

Find Franklin County Arrest Records

Franklin County arrest records are accessible through local government and state repositories. You can call the Franklin County Regional Jail at (502) 875-8782. Individuals seeking access to Franklin County arrest records should also visit the Kentucky Court of Justice Background Checks Page, fill out the online request form, and submit it. Also, record seekers may download an Open Records Request Form from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office webpage, complete it, and email it to openrecordsfcso@franklincounty.ky.gov. Furthermore, record seekers can call, fax, or visit the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at:

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Franklin County Public Safety Complex
974 River Bend Road
Formerly the HomePros Building,
Frankfort, KY 40602
Phone: (502) 875-8740
Fax: (502) 875-8738

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information may remain on a record indefinitely unless the owner petitions the court to seal or expunge it. Eligibility for removal or sealing a Franklin County arrest record depends on the nature of the arrest and its outcome. Chapter 431, Sections 073 to 078 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes grants individuals the right to petition the courts for expungement of arrest records if:

• The arrests lead to dismissal with prejudice or acquittal
• The convictions are for non-violent and traffic infractions
• The offenses are non-violent and non-sexual Class D felonies
• There are no additional convictions during the waiting period
• The applicant completes the sentence for the crime, probation or parole, and pays all court fines resulting from the conviction
• The petitioner adheres to the waiting period stipulated for the offense.

Franklin County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are judicial orders authorizing law enforcement to arrest individuals for committing crimes. In Franklin County, a judge may issue an arrest warrant if law enforcement or a prosecutor submits evidence supporting the claim that an individual committed an arrestable offense. The court may also issue arrest warrants if offenders fail to appear before the court to answer for their crimes or if convicts violate the terms of their probation or parole.

A Franklin County arrest warrant must contain information to ensure its legality and enforceability; such information includes but is not limited to:

• The name and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Name and location of the court issuing the warrant
• Full name, aliases, gender, and physical description of the subject
• Sections of the Kentucky statutes alleged violated
• Statement of probable cause
• The geographical area where the arrest is valid
• Instructions to law enforcement on the execution of the warrant.

Do Franklin County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Franklin County arrest warrants do not expire. Once a judge/magistrate issues an arrest warrant, it remains active until law enforcement takes the subject into custody or the court quashes it. However, a Franklin County arrest warrant automatically becomes inactive at the death of the subject.