Mercer County Arrest Records

Mercer County, Kentucky, arrest records are official law enforcement documents generated when law officers take individuals into custody for allegedly committing crimes. Per Kentucky Revised Statutes 431.005, peace officers may make arrests with or without warrants if they witness a crime, there is probable cause to believe a felony has been committed, or an individual violates a protective order.

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky State Police (KSP), municipal police departments such as Harrodsburg and Burgin Police Departments, and other law enforcement agencies create arrest records as official documentation of arrest procedures. These records are accessible through Mercer County court records as evidential documents during criminal trials.

The Mercer County Jail is the county's primary correctional facility, housing individuals awaiting trials, transfers, or serving short-term sentences. Individuals serving long-term incarcerations may also be transferred to the Boyle County Detention Center in Danville and Woodford County, both in Kentucky.

Are Arrest Records Public in Mercer County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Mercer County. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, interested individuals may inspect or copy Mercer County public records (including arrest records) in the custody of government agencies. However, not all arrest records are public in Mercer County. For instance, custodian agencies may exempt Mercer County arrest records concerning:

• Juveniles arrests
• Personal identifying information, such as social security numbers and financial details
• Sealed or expunged records
• Confidential witness or informant information
• Ongoing criminal investigations.

Those eligible to access exempt arrest records typically include the record owners and legally authorized persons. For more information on Mercer County arrest records, inquirers should contact the Mercer County Sheriff's office at:

207 West Lexington Street
Harrodsburg
KY 40330
Phone: (859) 734-4221

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 126
Harrodsburg
KY 40330.

Mercer County Arrest Statistics

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office, Burgin, and Harrodsburg Police Departments' reports to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program show that 1279 individuals were taken into custody for various offenses within Mercer County between January 2022 and January 2025. These arrestees comprised 893 males and 386 females. During this period, there were 138 arrests for drug/narcotic violations, 97 for DUI, and 71 for simple assault offenses. Also, 18 persons were arrested for disorderly conduct, 14 for aggravated assaults, and 941 accounted for all other crimes.

Find Mercer County Arrest Records

Several options are available for accessing Mercer County arrest records. Individuals may request arrest records by phone, mail, or in person at the Mercer County Sheriff's Office. Also, Mercer County arrest records are accessible through the Kentucky Court of Justice Background Checks Portal. Log in, register, and fill out the necessary information to access Mercer County arrest records through criminal background checks. Requesters should note that this service may require fee payments.

Record seekers may also log in to the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) and use the online search tools to access Mercer County arrest information. For Mercer County criminal case-related arrest records, inquirers should request access through the Mercer County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:

Mercer County Judicial Center
224 South Main Street,
Harrodsburg,
KY 40330
Phone: (859) 734-8452
Fax: (859) 734-8454

Mercer County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Mercer County arrest records are law enforcement documents that show evidence of arrests within the county. These documents contain the personal details of the arrestees, booking information, the reasons for the arrest, and conditions for their release. In Mercer County and other parts of the United States, an arrest does not imply guilt or conviction until proven guilty by the court.

Criminal records are generated by the Mercer County Circuit and District Courts. They encompass Mercer County arrest records and documents relating to criminal trials, convictions, and incarcerations. Mercer County criminal records are legal proof of guilt for criminal offenses. In Mercer County, if the court does not expunge a criminal record, it may negatively impact housing, employment, and other opportunities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information may remain on a record indefinitely unless formally expunged by the Mercer County Circuit and District Courts. Chapter 432, Sections 073, 076, and 078 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes grant eligible individuals the right to petition the court to seal or expunge their arrest records. If:

• The offenses are for misdemeanor convictions
• The convictions are non-sexual and non-violent Class D felonies
• They were juvenile records (eligible once the individuals turned 18).

Under House Bill 327 (effective July 15, 2020), automatic expungement is granted for acquittals and charges dismissed with prejudice.

Mercer County Arrest Warrants

Mercer County arrest warrants are court-issued documents authorizing law enforcement to detain specific individuals suspected of committing crimes. A judge/magistrate may issue arrest warrants if a law officer or a prosecutor submits an affidavit establishing probable cause that an individual committed a crime. The court may also issue arrest warrants if:

• A person fails to appear for a court hearing
• There is an indictment by a grand jury
• An individual violates probation or parole
• A person disobeys court orders.

An arrest warrant contains information that includes but is not limited to:

• Full name and physical description of the subject
• Charges against the subject
• Date of issuance
• Name and geographical jurisdiction of the court
• Probable cause statement
• Name and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Instructions on how to execute the warrant.

Do Mercer County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Mercer County arrest warrants do not expire. Once a Mercer County judge or magistrate issues an arrest warrant, it remains active until law enforcement takes the subject into custody or the court quashes it. Additionally, if the statute of limitations for an underlying crime expires, the courts will not issue arrest warrants.

Expunge Mercer County Arrest Records

According to Sections 432.073, 431.076, and 431.078 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, eligible individuals may petition the court to seal or expunge their arrest records if they fulfill the qualifying criteria. Individuals may petition the court for expungement of acquittals or dismissals with prejudice that happened before July 15, 2020. For misdemeanor and Class D felony convictions, the subjects may apply for expungement of their arrest records if:

• They observe a 5-year waiting period after completion of the sentence or probation
• There are no new convictions or pending charges
• The applicants obtain certificates of eligibility.

These steps outline the processes for expunging Mercer County arrest records:

• Determine eligibility for the expungement of the arrest record
• Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility through the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (for convictions only)
• Download and complete the appropriate Expungement Form from the Kentucky Court of Justice website
• File a petition for expungement (with applicable filing fees) with the Mercer County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:
  Mercer County Judicial Center
  224 South Main Street,
  Harrodsburg,
  KY 40330
• Attend court hearings if the court schedules one to explain why the expungement is in the interest of justice
• If the judge grants the application, the court will order the expungement of the record.