Criminal records in Jefferson County, Kentucky, can be accessed through online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. JeffersonCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk, the Kentucky Court of Justice, and the Louisville Metro Police Department also serve as access points for criminal case data, police reports, and background check records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Jefferson
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Jefferson County. The approach you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- JeffersonCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information including criminal cases filed in Jefferson County.
- Kentucky Court of Justice CourtNet — The Kentucky Court of Justice operates the CourtNet system, which contains case records from Circuit and District courts statewide, including Jefferson County. Public access terminals are available at courthouses; subscription access is also available.
- Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) — The Department of Corrections maintains this free tool to search for offenders currently or previously under state supervision, including those in Jefferson County (District 04 – Louisville).
- Kentucky State Police Background Checks — KSP provides statewide criminal history checks. The general public can request an adult criminal history record for $20 without fingerprints. FBI nationwide checks require fingerprints.
- Louisville Metro Police Department — Obtain police incident reports and accident reports electronically or in person.
In Person
Visit the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk's office at the Jefferson County Judicial Center. Public access terminals connected to the CourtNet system are available at the courthouse for looking up case information.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the case was handled. The Administrative Office of the Courts does not maintain case records centrally.
- For statewide criminal history reports, mail a request to the Kentucky State Police with a $20 check or money order payable to the KY State Treasurer.
- For Louisville Metro Police open records, submit a written open records request under KRS §61.870–61.884.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Social Security Number (for KSP background checks)
Search Jefferson Criminal Cases by Case Number
Kentucky uses a standardized case numbering format across all counties. Understanding the structure helps you locate a specific case quickly.
A typical Kentucky case number follows this pattern:
[YY]-[Court Prefix]-[Sequential Number]
- YY — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024).
- Court Prefix — A code indicating the court division and case type. Common criminal prefixes include:
- CR — Circuit Court criminal case (felonies)
- M — District Court misdemeanor
- T — District Court traffic
- F — District Court felony (pre-indictment)
- Sequential Number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed within that year and division.
For example, a case number like 24-CR-001234 refers to a Circuit Court criminal case filed in 2024. When searching by case number, enter the full number exactly as formatted. If you only have a partial number, search by the defendant's name instead.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Jefferson
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) citation identifying the specific offense (e.g., KRS 508.010 for Assault 1st Degree) |
| Severity | Class A–D felonies, Class A–B misdemeanors, or violations |
| Amended Charges | Original charges may be amended through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion; both the original and amended charges typically appear in the record |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All post-disposition obligations are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing — District Court determines probable cause for felony cases before potential indictment
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case status, discovery, and potential resolution
- Trial — Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation, diversion, or other conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Diverted — Case deferred under a pretrial diversion agreement; may be dismissed upon completion
- Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Jefferson
Court Records (Certified Copies)
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk. You can request them in person or by mail.
Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk
To request by mail, send a written request specifying the case number, defendant's name, and the documents needed. Include payment for applicable fees. The Kentucky Court of Justice records request page provides additional guidance on directing requests to the correct clerk's office.
For records 15–35 years old, you may need to request them from the State Records Center using the form referenced on the Jefferson County court information page.
Statewide Criminal History (KSP)
- Visit the Kentucky State Police background checks page.
- Submit a completed request with a $20 check or money order payable to the KY State Treasurer.
- Fingerprints are not required for a state-only check. FBI nationwide checks require fingerprint submission.
Police Reports
Request incident or accident reports from the Louisville Metro Police Department. Reports can be obtained electronically, by mail, or in person.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Written authorization if requesting records on behalf of another person
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Jefferson
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document | $5.00 per document | KRS 64.012 — standard certification fee for Circuit Court Clerk |
| Non-certified copy | $0.25 per page | KRS 64.012 |
| KSP statewide criminal history (name-based) | $20.00 | Kentucky State Police; no fingerprints required |
| KSP + FBI nationwide criminal history | $20.00 (KSP) + FBI fee | Fingerprints required for FBI portion |
| LMPD police report (incident or accident) | Varies | Same fee regardless of request method (electronic, mail, or in person) |
Processing Times
- In-person court record copies: Often available same day for recent, active cases
- Mail requests to Circuit Court Clerk: Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- KSP criminal history (name-based): Generally 5–10 business days by mail
- Older records (15–35 years): May take longer if retrieval from the State Records Center is required
- Open records requests (LMPD): Kentucky's Open Records Act (KRS §61.880) requires agencies to respond within three business days, though actual document production may take additional time
Fees are typically paid by check, money order, or cash (in person). Contact the specific office to confirm accepted payment methods before submitting a request.