Johnson County Arrest Records

Johnson County arrest records are official reports about arrests within the County. An arrest in Johnson County is usually the aftermath of an issued arrest warrant or the witnessing of a criminal act by peace officers. Per Kentucky Statute 431.005, peace officers in Johnson County may make an arrest with or without an issued arrest warrant depending on the situation.

Following an arrest in Johnson County, the peace officers will typically transport the arrestee(s) to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center for booking and holding. During the booking process, information about the arrested individual(s), circumstances surrounding the arrest, and other important details are retrieved and used to create arrest records. Arrest records are essential documents that provide insights about an arrest. They may also be used by prosecutors to initiate a criminal proceeding thus becoming a part of Johnson County Court Records. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office and other local police departments are the custodians of arrest records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Johnson County?

Generally, Yes. The Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884) governs access to public records including Johnson County arrest records. This act ensures that interested parties have the right to request and copy arrest records irrespective of their identity, residency, or purpose of the request.

The Kentucky Open Records Act(KORA) does not however guarantee exclusive rights of the public to access arrest records. Several limitations and restrictions are contained in the KORA to curb information misuse and avoid privacy infringements. Some examples of these restrictions under KRS 61.878 include:

• Information contained in confidential records
• Juvenile arrest records as stated in KRS 610.320
• Records with information whose disclosure will infringe on the subject's privacy rights
• Arrest records of active investigations being carried out by law enforcement agencies
• Arrest records and information capable of endangering lives and property if disclosed
• Law enforcement agency records that may put undercover officers or informants in harm's way
• Records deemed confidential by the General Assembly or other federal and state laws
• Records retrieved under confidentiality.

It is important to note that exempt records may be accessible to record subjects, authorized government entities, or persons with an authorization order from a competent court. Filing a subpoena with a court clerk may also grant interested persons access to exempt records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Johnson County, Kentucky, arrest records produced for public inspection will usually reveal the following information:

• Basic information and physical descriptions of the arrestee: this includes name, age, height, race, weight, skin/hair color
• Location, date, time, and events surrounding the arrest
• The name and location of the arresting agency
• The arresting officer's name, rank, and badge number
• Booking information such as date, time, place, booking ID, fingerprints and mugshots
• The type, class, description, and degree of the alleged offense and the charges filed
• Conditions for bail/ release where available
• Case number and court details where necessary.

Johnson County Arrest Statistics

According to the Kentucky 2023 Crime Report published by the State Police, the total number of arrests recorded in Johnson County was 2,268. There were 2,246 adult offenders, 10 juveniles, and 12 unknown offenders. Group A and B offenses recorded were 1,137 and 1,131 respectively.

The most prevalent criminal actions reported in Johnson County for 2023 included drug offenses (667), assaults (279), drunkenness (151), driving under the influence (97), disorderly conduct (86), and larceny (60).

Find Johnson County Arrest Records

Johnson County arrest records are available for public inspection and copying at the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. Per the State's Open Records Act, anyone may request access to these records from the official custodian. Concerned persons may submit an application form or visit the Sheriff's Office during business hours. Handwritten requests or completed request forms may be mailed or submitted in person at:

Johnson County Sheriff's Office
339 Main Street
Paintsville, KY 41240
Phone: (606) 789-3411, (606) 789-3424
Fax: (606) 789-2574

State-owned repositories may also provide online access to arrest records and information created in Johnson County. These online resources include the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup tool and the request portal maintained by the Kentucky State Police. A name, ID number, case number, incarceration information, and other advanced search filters are usually required to use these search tools.

Free Arrest Record Search in Johnson County

Residents of Johnson County may lookup arrest records at no cost by visiting the Sheriff's Office or other local police departments to inspect and review the records in their custody. They may also review the criminal court case records maintained by the County Court Clerk's office to retrieve arrest records and information.

Interested persons may also consider the use of third-party online resources to access arrest records. Although the usage of these sites may not be free of charge, they provide low-cost payment options for the public to access arrest records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

As long as it takes to expunge them. Kentucky State laws do not prescribe a specific period for the retention of arrest records. Hence, once arrest records are created, they remain part of the subject's criminal records until they apply for an expungement(according to the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy).

Expunge Johnson County Arrest Records

Expungements in Johnson County are governed by the procedures specified in KRS 431.076. Arrest records of persons who were acquitted or had their charges dismissed automatically qualify for expungement 30 days after the case disposition(KRS 431.076(1)(a)). For other qualifying arrest records (according to KRS 431.073, KRS 431.076, or KRS 431.078), the petitioner is required to file an application after a waiting period of 60 days, 1 year, or 3 years depending on the nature of the offense.

To file an expungement under KRS 431.076(1)(b), applicants are required to obtain an expungement certification at $40 each from the State Police or the Administrative Office of the Courts. This expungement certification may be requested online, in person, or through US mail. Once an applicant receives the expungement certification, they can then proceed to file the suitable expungement petition alongside the certification and required fees with a court of jurisdiction in the County. If the petition is granted, the court issues an expungement order directing relevant authorities and record custodians to seal and remove the affected records from public access.

Johnson County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a writ issued by a judge or magistrate demanding the arrest of a named individual for a specified criminal action (KRS 456.180). A Johnson County Arrest Warrant is typically issued once a court is furnished with adequate evidence and probable cause stating that a violent felony or misdemeanor has been committed by the suspected individual. An arrest warrant is typically issued mostly in situations where issuing a "Summons to Appear" may jeopardize the safety of peace officers or residents of the County.

An issued arrest warrant usually contains the suspect's name/physical description, the nature of the alleged crime, the name/signature of the issuing judicial official, a directive to apprehend the named individual, and bail/release conditions where applicable.

Do Johnson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Johnson County arrest warrants do not expire. Law enforcement agencies and peace officers may execute an issued arrest warrant at any time and any place within the state. Nonetheless, a court may decide to quash or recall an issued arrest warrant for several reasons including legal malpractices or false evidence.