Criminal records in Fayette County, Kentucky, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. FayetteKYCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Fayette County Office of Circuit Court Clerk manages records for Circuit, Family, District, and Business courts. State-level resources through the Kentucky Court of Justice and the Kentucky State Police also provide criminal history information.
How to Search Criminal Records in Fayette
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Fayette County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose.
What You'll Need
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if you already have one)
- Social Security Number (required for some formal background checks)
Online Search Options
- FayetteKYCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information in Fayette County.
- AOC Records Unit (Kentucky Court of Justice) — The Administrative Office of the Courts provides statewide criminal record reports based on data maintained by Kentucky's court system. You can request these reports online or by mail.
- Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) — The Kentucky Department of Corrections operates this tool to search for individuals currently or formerly under state correctional supervision, including those held at the Fayette County Detention Center.
- Kentucky State Police Background Checks — For fingerprint-based criminal history checks, including FBI nationwide checks, submit requests through the Kentucky State Police.
In Person
Visit the Fayette County Office of Circuit Court Clerk to search court records using public access terminals or request assistance from staff. Criminal cases handled in circuit court are managed at the Robert F. Stephens Circuit Courthouse, while district-level criminal and traffic cases are processed through the Fayette District Court division.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for court records to the Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk at the address above. For statewide criminal history reports, send your request to the AOC Records Unit or the Kentucky State Police. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and any applicable fees with your request.
Search Fayette Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, it is the fastest way to locate a specific record. Kentucky uses a standardized case number format across all counties.
A typical Kentucky case number looks like this: 22-CR-00456
- 22 — The two-digit year the case was filed
- CR — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CR — Circuit Court criminal case (felonies)
- M — District Court misdemeanor
- T — Traffic offense
- IF — Infraction
- 00456 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk's office
When searching by case number, enter it exactly as formatted, including the dashes. If you only have a partial number, try searching by the defendant's name instead and then locating the correct case from the results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Fayette
Criminal case records in Fayette County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) section the defendant is charged under (e.g., KRS 508.010 for Assault 1st Degree) |
| Severity | Felony (Class A–D), Misdemeanor (Class A–B), Violation, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecution through plea negotiations or at the court's discretion; amended charges replace or modify the original charge |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Case has ongoing proceedings or active warrants
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled, including fines, probation, or sentencing terms
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally read the charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing — Judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, possible plea agreements, and trial preparation
- Sentencing — Judge imposes penalties after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — Court checks on compliance with probation, diversion, or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant found or pleaded guilty; sentencing follows |
| Not Guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Acquitted | Formal finding of not guilty after trial |
| Diverted | Case placed in a diversion program; charges may be dismissed upon completion |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Fayette
Certified copies of criminal court records are official documents bearing the clerk's seal. They are often required for legal proceedings, employment verification, or licensing applications.
Where to Request
- Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk — Handles certified copies of all circuit and district criminal case records filed in Fayette County
- AOC Records Unit — Issues statewide criminal record reports based on court system data
- Kentucky State Police — Provides fingerprint-based criminal background checks for state and FBI records
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office at the Robert F. Stephens Circuit Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request including the subject's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), the specific records requested, and payment for applicable fees.
- Online (statewide reports) — The AOC background check portal accepts online requests for statewide criminal record reports.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Notarized authorization if requesting records on behalf of another person (for certain record types)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Fayette
Fees vary depending on the type of record and the agency handling the request. The following table reflects standard fees established under Kentucky law and agency fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $5.00 per document | Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk (per KRS 64.012) |
| Non-certified copy | $0.25 per page | Standard copy rate at the clerk's office |
| AOC statewide criminal record report | $20.00 | Administrative Office of the Courts |
| Kentucky State Police background check (state) | $20.00 | Kentucky State Police |
| FBI fingerprint-based background check | $12.00 | FBI fee (submitted through Kentucky State Police) |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Certified copies are often available the same day or within 1–2 business days
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing
- AOC statewide reports — Typically processed within 3–5 business days for online requests
- Kentucky State Police background checks — Processing times vary; fingerprint-based checks may take 2–4 weeks
Payment methods accepted at the Fayette County Circuit Court Clerk's office generally include cash, money order, and certified check. Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm current accepted payment methods before visiting or mailing a request.