How to Access Kentucky Court Dockets by Name (2024)

Kentucky Court Dockets by Name – In Kentucky, all state trial court proceedings are recorded by audiovisual means, and copies of these recordings can be obtained from the clerk’s office. Since there are no transcripts of court proceedings in Kentucky, these recordings are the only available record of these proceedings. Kentucky’s court system includes four levels of court: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, and District Court. The District Court has limited jurisdiction.

Public Access to Kentucky Court Dockets by Name

Kentucky court dockets are available through the Kentucky Court of Justice website. Using the website’s Find a Case Portal, users can search for court cases by name or case number. If a case is still pending, a person can visit the Kentucky Criminal Records Administrative Office, where they can request information about the case. The administrative office is open Monday through Friday.

Kentucky courts keep records of all proceedings and procedures, including court dockets, court files, and court records. This means that a person’s name and justification for appearing in court will always be recorded. If you’re curious to learn more about a particular person, you can search their court records by name. In some cases, court records are digitally stored, but in others, they’re on paper.

Many jurisdictions allow public access to court dockets by name, but some do not. You’ll need the case number and the name of the party involved. Using this information, you can locate the right document.

Public access to court records

Kentucky court records are public records that keep track of the proceedings of all cases. These records include the names of the parties involved and the reasons they ended up in court. The records are often digital, but sometimes they are also on paper. The Office of the Circuit Court Clerk in Kentucky provides free public access to court records.

While Kentucky’s courts generally make court records available to the public, certain cases have been closed. For example, in Lexington Herald Leader Co. v. Tackett, the Kentucky Supreme Court held that a newspaper could not deny the public access to court records. While the newspaper must protect its own reputation, it is important to note that this right is not absolute.

Public access to Kentucky court records is limited in some cases, especially to pre-trial criminal proceedings. The Administrative Office of the Courts’ (AOC) provides the courts with a fair and expedited access process.

Public access to court proceedings

The Kentucky courts have recognized a public right to access court proceedings, including pre-trial criminal proceedings. This right is based on the First Amendment, common law, and the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure. However, there are some limitations on how public access can be granted to Kentucky court proceedings.

In order to protect the privacy of the jurors, Kentucky courts have implemented a rule that limits the number of cameras and video recording devices used for court coverage. For example, a court may only permit one still camera and one video recording device with up to two lenses. However, the rule is flexible and may not apply to all cases.

Since the Kentucky Supreme Court issued Administrative Order 2020-39 on May 15, there have been a variety of developments involving public access to court proceedings. One such change is the restoration of in-person court hearings, which were restricted until May 31. Additionally, the new Kentucky Administrative Order will carry forward provisions of previous orders regarding the filing of documents through the mail, eFiling, and drop boxes.

Limitations on Kentucky Court Dockets by Name

Kentucky courts have recently extended the right of access to court dockets by name. This right extends to certain pre-trial proceedings that involve criminal charges. However, some areas of Kentucky law restrict access. These areas include pre-trial criminal proceedings, probate proceedings, and other proceedings that involve minors.

Although Kentucky has not specifically addressed the issue of limitations on news gathering, a recent Supreme Court case has explicitly recognized news media’s right to intervene in a proceeding. In the 1988 case of Courier-Journal & Louisville Times Co. v. Bertram, the Court ruled that news media entities had the right to intervene if they wished to report on the proceedings.

According to the court’s decision, access to Kentucky court dockets by name is generally available to anyone with the right to access them. However, a person may only request access to certain information if he or she has a legitimate reason to do so. This information can include criminal cases as well as civil appeals.

Related

How to Access Kentucky Court Dockets by Name (2024)

FAQs

Are Kentucky court records available online? ›

Record seekers can view criminal case files online by visiting the CourtNet 2.0 portal of the Kentucky Court of Justice website. Searches typically require a case number, name of one party involved in the trial, or a citation number.

How do I look up someone's criminal record in Kentucky? ›

The Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) maintains all criminal records in the state. It is possible to obtain Kentucky criminal records online, in person, or by mail. Requesting a copy of a Kentucky criminal record costs $25.

Does Kentucky have a MyCase? ›

Odyssey Public Access (the "MyCase" website) is a platform for online services provided by the Office of Judicial Administration (the “Office”).

What does C mean in a court case number in Kentucky? ›

See Rule 31 and Appendix A, B, and C. 2. Civil--Civil, for purposes of these rules, means any matter assigned a “C” case number by the District Clerk.

Is Kentucky a public record state? ›

Are Kentucky Records Public? Most of the records maintained by the government agencies are open to the public. Under the Kentucky Open Records Act, government agencies (at all levels) must provide access to anyone who wishes to exercise their right to view public records.

How far back does a background check go in Kentucky? ›

How far back Kentucky background checks can go is restricted by both the FCRA and Kentucky's expungement laws. There is a seven-year rule under the FCRA for jobs offering salaries of less than $75,000 per year.

How do I find recent arrests in Kentucky? ›

Kentucky arrest Report and Arrest Records are a matter of public information and if you want or are in need of that information you can start your search at GovernmentRegistry.org. There are a lot of reasons to check someone's criminal arrest reports.

Is TruthFinder free? ›

Truthfinder typically offers a limited free trial, but it's important to note that its core services are not entirely free. While you may access some basic information during the trial period, comprehensive reports and in-depth background checks often require a subscription or one-time payment.

What does "other hearing" mean on a court docket in KY? ›

Other Hearing means any hearing in a Very High Cost Case which lasts 2 hours or less. This term does not apply to hearings forming part of an effective trial which last less than 2 hours, or to substantive appeal hearings, which last less than 2 hours.

Are divorce records public in Kentucky? ›

Are Divorce Records Public in Kentucky? In accordance with the Kentucky Open Records Act, the general public has the right of access to public records in the state. After a judge passes judgment and a divorce decree is issued, some divorce records become accessible at the state level.

What is the name of the court where felony cases start in Kentucky? ›

Felony Cases in Circuit Court. The Circuit Court will handle felony cases at the trial level from the time after indictment until sentencing.

What does CP mean in court cases? ›

A quick definition of C.P:

stands for Court of Common Pleas. This is a type of court that handles civil cases, such as disputes between individuals or businesses. It is a place where people can go to resolve their legal issues and seek justice.

What does CV mean in court cases? ›

Common case types include: cv for civil. cr for criminal. br for bankruptcy.

How do I access US court documents? ›

Federal case files are maintained electronically and are available through the internet-based Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. PACER allows anyone with an account to search and locate appellate, district, and bankruptcy court case and docket information. Register for a PACER account.

How do I find court documents online in USA? ›

The main type of record the federal courts create and maintain is a case file, which contains a docket sheet and all documents filed in a case. Case files and court records can be found on PACER.gov.

What is the difference between the circuit court and the district court in Kentucky? ›

The District Courts focus on cases involving specific subject matter, such as traffic violations, small claims, and misdemeanor offenses; the Family Courts have jurisdiction over all matters related to families and children. The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 5900

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.