Henderson County Arrest Records
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Henderson County in 2026
HendersonCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Henderson County, Kentucky. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case data, and related criminal justice records through this resource. Record categories available through official channels include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, and associated court filings.
Records may be searched through official resources including the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, the Henderson Circuit Court Clerk, public access terminals at the courthouse, and state-level online tools. The following sections detail each available method.
Online Methods:
1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records
The Henderson County Sheriff's Office maintains a current jail roster that members of the public may access to identify individuals currently in custody. The roster reflects active bookings and is updated on a rolling basis. Available information includes the arrestee's name, booking date, charges, and bond status. The Sheriff's Office website provides direct access to this roster.
Henderson County Sheriff's Office
20 N. Green Street
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-2713
Henderson County Sheriff's Office
2. Local Police Departments
The Henderson Police Department serves the City of Henderson and publishes press releases containing arrest information for notable cases. Members of the public may contact the Records Division to request arrest logs or incident-related information.
Henderson Police Department
222 First Street
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 831-1295
Henderson Police Department
3. County Clerk of Court Case Search
The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains an online case search portal through which members of the public may search by an individual's name to locate court cases associated with an arrest. The system returns case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and disposition information.
Henderson Circuit Court Clerk
20 N. Green Street, Suite 201
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-9609
Henderson – Kentucky Court of Justice
4. State Law Enforcement Database
The Kentucky State Police maintains the Criminal Records Division, which processes requests for official criminal history records. A fee applies for non-law-enforcement requests. The Kentucky Online Offender Lookup maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections allows the public to search for individuals currently under the supervision of the Department, including those on parole or probation.
Kentucky State Police – Criminal Records
1250 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 227-8700
Kentucky State Police
In-Person Access:
Sheriff's Office:
- Address: 20 N. Green Street, Henderson, KY 42420
- Records Division is located at the main facility
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Phone: (270) 826-2713
- Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where available, the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date
- Copy fees: $0.10 per page for standard copies
Police Departments:
- Henderson Police Department, 222 First Street, Henderson, KY 42420, (270) 831-1295
- Records requests are accepted in person during business hours; requestors should submit a written request identifying the record sought
- Copy fees are assessed at the standard rate established under KRS § 61.874
Clerk of Court:
- Address: 20 N. Green Street, Suite 201, Henderson, KY 42420
- Criminal records division handles case file inspection
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Phone: (270) 826-9609
- Members of the public may inspect open case files at no charge; certified copies are subject to a fee
By Mail:
- Mailing address: Henderson County Sheriff's Office, 20 N. Green Street, Henderson, KY 42420
- Written requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requestor's return mailing address and contact information
- Payment for copies should be included with the request
- Processing time is typically 5–10 business days
By Phone:
- Sheriff's Office: (270) 826-2713
- Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
- Detailed record information is not released by phone; callers may be directed to the online roster or an in-person visit
Through Legal Channels:
- Attorneys may submit formal records requests on behalf of clients
- Subpoenas may be issued for detailed investigative records not available through standard public access
- Discovery in active criminal proceedings is governed by the Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure
Information Needed for Search:
- Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Approximate date of arrest
- Booking number, if known
- Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Henderson Police Department, or other agency)
Are Arrest Records Public in Henderson County
Arrest records in Henderson County are public records subject to disclosure under the Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870 et seq. The Act establishes a presumption of openness for records held by public agencies, including law enforcement agencies and courts. Arrest records are made available to support government transparency, public safety awareness, community notification, journalistic inquiry, background screening, and legal proceedings.
What Arrest Information Is Public:
- Arrestee name and known aliases
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Booking number
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Bond and bail information
- Current custody status
- Basic demographic information including age and physical description
Limitations on Public Access:
- Juvenile arrest records are restricted and may be sealed under Kentucky law
- Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
- Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
- Information related to active investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
- Undercover officer identities are exempt from disclosure
- Confidential informant information is protected
- Victim identifying information may be withheld in certain offense categories
- Participants in witness protection programs are not identified in public records
Constitutional and Legal Basis:
The Kentucky Constitution and the Open Records Act together establish the framework for public access to government records. The Act balances the public's right to know against individual privacy interests. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution supports press access to arrest information, and due process principles require that individuals be informed of charges against them.
Who Can Access Arrest Records:
- Members of the general public
- Media organizations
- Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
- Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
- Licensing agencies
- Background check companies
- Attorneys and legal professionals
- Academic researchers
Restrictions on Use:
The FCRA governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions. Employers and landlords who use consumer reporting agencies to obtain background information must comply with FCRA requirements, including adverse action procedures. Kentucky does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though individual jurisdictions may have adopted local ordinances. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.
What's in Henderson County Arrest Records
Personal Identification Information:
- Full legal name and any aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Sex and gender
- Race and ethnicity
- Height and weight
- Eye color and hair color
- Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
- Address at time of arrest, which may be partially redacted
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest by street address or general area
- Arresting agency
- Arresting officer name and badge number, where included
- Booking date and time
- Booking number or arrest number
- Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based
Charges Information:
- Specific criminal charges
- Kentucky Revised Statute numbers violated
- Charge descriptions
- Classification by felony degree or misdemeanor class
- Number of counts per charge
- Domestic violence designation, if applicable
- Gang-related designation, if applicable
Booking Information:
- Name and location of booking facility
- Intake timestamp
- Booking photograph
- Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in standard public records
Custody and Bond Information:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
- Bond amount as set by the court
- Bond type, which may include cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
- Release date and time, if the individual has been released
- Release conditions, where made public
Court Information:
- Court case number
- Court jurisdiction
- Scheduled arraignment date
- Court location
- Judge assignment, where available
Prior Arrest History: Prior arrests within the county may appear in booking records, including previous booking numbers and historical charges. This information is not always included in a current arrest record and depends on the agency's records management practices.
What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:
- Detailed narrative of the arrest as contained in the police report
- Witness statements
- Victim identifying information
- Evidence collected during the investigation
- Investigative techniques
- Medical or mental health information
- Social Security number, which is redacted
- Financial account information
Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:
- Police reports contain detailed incident narratives and investigative information not available in a standard arrest record
- Court records document legal proceedings that occur after an arrest
- Criminal records reflect convictions and sentences imposed by a court
- Background checks are comprehensive screenings that draw from multiple sources including court records, state repositories, and federal databases
How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Henderson County?
Under KRS § 61.874, public agencies in Kentucky may charge for the actual cost of reproducing records. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies (Circuit Court) | $0.50 per page plus $5.00 certification fee |
| Electronic records (where available) | Actual cost of duplication |
| Record inspection | No charge |
| Search fee | Not permitted under Kentucky law |
- Inspection of public records at the agency's office is provided at no charge
- Copy fees are assessed per page for paper reproductions
- Certification fees apply when a certified copy bearing the court seal is requested
- Electronic format fees reflect the actual cost of duplication and do not include a markup
- Accepted payment methods at the Henderson Circuit Court Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order; the Sheriff's Office accepts cash and money order for records requests
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors upon written application; the agency retains discretion to waive fees where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest
- Basic arrest information viewable through the online jail roster and the Kentucky Court of Justice case search portal is available at no charge
How To Delete Arrest Records in Henderson County
Kentucky law provides two primary mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement, which results in the physical destruction or sealing of records, and sealing, which restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes. The distinction is significant: an expunged record is treated as though it never existed for most purposes, while a sealed record remains accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.
Under KRS § 431.073, individuals who were arrested but not convicted may petition for expungement of the arrest record. Eligible circumstances include cases where charges were dismissed, where the individual was acquitted at trial, or where the prosecutor declined to file charges. A petition must be filed with the Henderson Circuit Court, and a filing fee applies unless waived by the court.
For misdemeanor convictions, Kentucky law permits expungement after a waiting period of five years from the date of conviction or release from supervision, whichever is later, provided the individual has not been convicted of another offense during that period. Certain misdemeanor offenses are excluded from eligibility. Class D felony convictions became eligible for expungement under legislation enacted in 2016, subject to a ten-year waiting period and additional eligibility criteria.
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record or court case to confirm eligibility
- Complete the AOC-496 petition form, available through the Kentucky Court of Justice
- File the petition with the Henderson Circuit Court Clerk at 20 N. Green Street, Suite 201, Henderson, KY 42420
- Pay the applicable filing fee or submit a fee waiver application
- Serve the petition on the Commonwealth's Attorney and any relevant law enforcement agencies
- Attend the scheduled hearing if the court sets one
- Upon entry of the expungement order, the court notifies the Kentucky State Police and other agencies to update their records
Henderson Commonwealth's Attorney – 56th Judicial Circuit
20 N. Green Street
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-3986
Henderson Circuit Court Clerk
20 N. Green Street, Suite 201
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-9609
Henderson – Kentucky Court of Justice
What Happens After Arrest in Henderson County?
Immediate Post-Arrest Process:
1. Transport to Jail
Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Henderson County Detention Center, which serves as the primary booking facility for the county. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest and officer availability.
Henderson County Detention Center
365 Borax Drive
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-5700
2. Booking Process
Upon arrival at the detention center, the booking process is initiated. The process typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps include recording personal information, photographing the individual, collecting fingerprints, conducting a criminal history and outstanding warrants check, inventorying personal property, issuing jail clothing, and completing medical and mental health screenings. A housing classification assessment is also conducted.
3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing
Under Kentucky law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judge or magistrate without unnecessary delay, and in practice this occurs within 24 to 72 hours of arrest. At the initial appearance, the court formally notifies the individual of the charges, determines bond or bail, advises the individual of the right to counsel, and appoints a public defender if the individual is determined to be indigent. Initial appearances may be conducted via video conference from the detention center.
Bond/Bail Process:
Types of Bond:
Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash to the court. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided the defendant appears at all required court dates.
Surety Bond: The defendant engages a licensed bail bondsman who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set at ten percent of the bond amount under Kentucky law.
Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear without a monetary requirement. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and an assessment of flight risk.
No Bond: The court may order that an individual be held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, a demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, a violation of probation or parole, an immigration hold, or an out-of-state warrant.
Conditions of Release:
Release conditions may include regular check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision through the court's pretrial services program.
4. Release or Continued Detention
If bond is posted, processing for release typically takes one to eight hours. The individual receives personal property, a written notice of the court date, and written conditions of release. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a bench warrant. Individuals who do not post bond remain in custody, receive a housing assignment, and are oriented to facility rules including commissary, phone, and visitation procedures.
Accessing Legal Representation:
Public Defender:
Individuals who cannot afford private counsel are entitled to appointed representation. Eligibility is determined based on income at the initial appearance.
Department of Public Advocacy – Henderson Office
2nd Floor, Henderson County Courthouse
20 N. Green Street
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-8000
Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
Private Attorney:
Individuals have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The Kentucky Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service. Attorney visits at the detention center are conducted in confidential consultation rooms.
Charging Decision:
Prosecutor's Review:
The Henderson Commonwealth's Attorney reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest depending on case complexity.
Grand Jury:
For felony offenses, the Commonwealth may present the case to a grand jury, which determines whether probable cause exists to proceed. A grand jury indictment is required for certain serious felony charges under Kentucky law.
Arraignment:
At arraignment, the court formally reads the charges and the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are set for pretrial proceedings.
Court Process Overview:
Pretrial Phase:
During the pretrial phase, the parties engage in discovery, exchanging police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and audio or video recordings. Pretrial motions may include motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, and motions for additional discovery. Pretrial conferences allow the court and counsel to assess case readiness and explore resolution.
Case Resolution Options:
- Dismissal: Charges may be dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness unavailability, or legal defects in the arrest or charging process. A dismissal may support a petition for expungement.
- Diversion Programs: Eligible defendants may participate in pretrial diversion, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court. Successful completion results in dismissal of charges.
- Plea Agreement: The defendant may accept a negotiated plea to reduced charges or an agreed sentencing recommendation, waiving the right to trial.
- Trial: The defendant may proceed to a jury trial or bench trial. If found guilty, a sentencing hearing is scheduled.
Sentencing:
Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence that may include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. The defendant is advised of appeal rights at sentencing.
Timeline Overview:
- Arrest to first appearance: 24–72 hours
- First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
- Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying by case complexity
- Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to a few months in most cases
- Felonies: May take six months to over a year depending on complexity
- The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed under both the Kentucky Constitution and the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution
Important Contacts:
Henderson County Detention Center
365 Borax Drive
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-5700
Henderson County Sheriff's Office
Henderson Circuit Court Clerk
20 N. Green Street, Suite 201
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-9609
Henderson – Kentucky Court of Justice
Henderson Commonwealth's Attorney
20 N. Green Street
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-3986
Department of Public Advocacy – Henderson Office
20 N. Green Street
Henderson, KY 42420
Phone: (270) 826-8000
Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
What to Do If You're Arrested:
- Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
- Do not physically resist arrest
- Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
- Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
- Do not discuss the case with anyone other than an attorney, including other inmates
- Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
- Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
- Comply with all conditions of release
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Henderson County?
Records Retention Overview:
Retention of arrest records in Henderson County is governed by Kentucky state law, local agency policies, and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives records retention schedules. Agencies are required to maintain records for minimum periods established by the applicable schedule and may not destroy records before those periods expire.
Arrest Records Retention by Type:
Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):
Felony Convictions:
- Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, the Circuit Court Clerk, the Kentucky State Police Criminal Records Division, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Misdemeanor Convictions:
- Retained permanently by the Circuit Court Clerk
- Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of five years following the conclusion of the case; many agencies retain indefinitely in digital systems
Arrest Records (No Conviction):
Dismissed Charges:
- Local law enforcement retains booking records for a minimum of three to five years
- Court records are retained permanently unless expunged by court order
- State repository records remain unless updated following an expungement order
Acquittals:
- Court records are retained permanently
- Local law enforcement retains booking records for a minimum of three years
- Records may be sealed or expunged upon petition
Charges Not Filed:
- Booking records are retained for a minimum of two to three years
- Individuals may be eligible to petition for immediate expungement under KRS § 431.073
No-Information (Prosecutor Declined):
- Law enforcement retains records for a minimum of two years
- Individuals are eligible for expungement upon filing a petition with the Circuit Court
Digital vs. Physical Records:
Physical Records:
- Booking paperwork: Minimum five years
- Fingerprint cards: Retained per state schedule; felony-related prints retained permanently
- Photographs: Retained for the duration of the associated record
Digital Records:
- Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records: Minimum three years
- Records management system entries: Often retained permanently
- Court electronic records: Retained permanently in the Kentucky Court of Justice system
Third-Party Databases:
- Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain records indefinitely and are not subject to law enforcement retention schedules
- These entities are not required to update records when an expungement order is entered, though the FCRA requires accuracy in consumer reports
- Individuals who have obtained an expungement order may contact third-party websites directly and provide a copy of the order to request removal
Retention by Agency:
Henderson County Sheriff's Office:
- Booking records: Minimum five years
- Arrest reports: Minimum five years
- Investigative files: Varies by offense; felony files retained permanently
- Contact: (270) 826-2713
Henderson Police Department:
- Arrest records: Minimum five years
- Incident reports: Minimum five years
- Contact: (270) 831-1295
Henderson Circuit Court Clerk:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: Minimum ten years
- Traffic cases: Minimum five years
- Electronic records: Permanent
Kentucky State Police – Criminal Records Division:
- Maintains the Kentucky Criminal History Record Information system
- Retains records from all jurisdictions statewide
- Contact: (502) 227-8700
- Kentucky State Police Criminal Records
FBI Database:
- NCIC and the Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records at the federal level on a permanent basis
- These records are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide and are used in employment background checks for positions requiring federal clearance and in firearms purchase background checks
Effect of Disposition on Retention:
- Conviction: Records are retained permanently in all primary databases and appear on background checks indefinitely
- Dismissal: Records remain in databases unless expunged; dismissed charges are not reported as convictions on standard background checks
- Expungement: Local records are sealed or destroyed; the Kentucky State Police updates its repository; the FBI database may retain a notation accessible only to law enforcement; removal from all systems typically takes 30 to 90 days following entry of the order
- No Charges Filed: Shortest retention period applies; records may be purged automatically after two to three years or upon petition
Accessing Historical Arrest Records:
- Recent arrests are available through the online jail roster and the Kentucky Court of Justice case search portal
- Arrests from five or more years ago may require an in-person request at the Sheriff's Records Division or the Circuit Court Clerk's office
- Very old arrests that predate digital records management may exist only in paper form in the agency's archives; retrieval fees and extended processing times may apply
- Contact the Henderson County Sheriff's Records Division at (270) 826-2713 for information about specific historical records
Destruction of Records:
Authorized destruction of records occurs after the applicable retention period expires, following a court-ordered expungement, or pursuant to the agency's records retention schedule. Documentation of destruction is maintained by the agency. Records subject to permanent retention, including felony conviction records, records of serious violent offenses, sex offense records, and records in cases with pending appeals, may not be destroyed.
Impact on Background Checks:
Under the FCRA, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Kentucky does not currently impose a statewide restriction on reporting non-conviction arrest records beyond the FCRA's requirements. Employers in certain regulated industries may be subject to additional state-specific requirements governing the use of arrest records in hiring decisions.