Bullitt County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Bullitt County
Arrest records in Bullitt County are considered public information under Kentucky law. Pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870-61.884), citizens have the legal right to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities. This statute establishes that arrest records are presumptively open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
It is important for requesters to understand the distinction between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. A conviction record, by contrast, indicates that the individual was found guilty of the offense through the judicial process. Under Kentucky law, both types of records are generally accessible to the public, though certain exceptions may apply.
The Kentucky State Police maintains the central repository for criminal history information in the state and processes requests for official criminal history records. Local law enforcement agencies in Bullitt County, including the Sheriff's Office, also maintain arrest records that may be requested directly from those agencies.
Per § 17.150 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, law enforcement agencies must make available information regarding individuals who have been arrested, including the charges filed against them, unless disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger an individual.
What's in Bullitt County Arrest Records
Arrest records maintained by Bullitt County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. These records serve as official documentation of arrests and include several standard categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Home address
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Fingerprints
- Photograph (mugshot)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Names and badge numbers of arresting officers
- Circumstances leading to arrest
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute or ordinance numbers of alleged violations
- Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
- Description of alleged criminal activity
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date of issuance
- Judge who signed the warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking number
- Processing officer information
- Property inventory
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount
- Bond type (cash, surety, property)
- Whether bond was posted
- Release date and time (if applicable)
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Judge assigned to case
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility where detained
- Projected release date (if sentenced)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Known aliases
- Vehicle information
- Emergency contact information
- Medical alerts or special needs
The specific content of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the circumstances of the arrest. Records maintained by the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office may differ slightly from those kept by municipal police departments within the county or by the Kentucky State Police.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Bullitt County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Bullitt County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for requesting and accessing arrest records:
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Submit a request to the arresting agency
- Identify which law enforcement agency made the arrest (Bullitt County Sheriff's Office, local police department, or Kentucky State Police)
- Complete an Open Records Request form specifying the information sought
- Provide sufficient identifying information about the subject of the request
- Submit the request in person, by mail, or via email depending on agency procedures
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Contact the Bullitt County Detention Center
- The detention center maintains records of individuals currently in custody
- Request information about current inmates through their records division
- Provide the full name and, if possible, date of birth of the individual
Bullitt County Detention Center
1671 Highway 44 East
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-7263
Bullitt County Detention Center
- Visit the Bullitt County Circuit Court Clerk's office
- Court records related to arrests are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk
- Request case information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings
- Provide case numbers if available, or name and date of birth information
Bullitt County Circuit Court Clerk
300 South Buckman Street
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-7104
Bullitt County Circuit Court Clerk
- Submit a request to the Kentucky State Police
- For comprehensive criminal history information, contact the Kentucky State Police
- Complete the required Criminal History Record Request form
- Submit fingerprints if requesting your own record
- Pay applicable fees (currently $20 per record check)
Kentucky State Police Records Branch
1266 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 227-8700
Kentucky State Police Records
Pursuant to § 61.872 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, agencies must respond to open records requests within five business days. Requesters should be prepared to pay reasonable fees for copying and staff time as permitted under Kentucky law.
How To Find Bullitt County Arrest Records Online
Bullitt County residents and other interested parties can access certain arrest record information through various online resources. The following digital platforms currently provide access to arrest-related data:
-
Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) System
- The Kentucky Department of Corrections maintains this database
- Search for current inmates in state prisons and some county jails
- Provides information on custody status, location, and projected release dates
- Requires name and other identifying information for search
-
Bullitt County Sheriff's Office Website
- The Sheriff's Office website may provide limited information about recent arrests
- Check for press releases or public safety announcements regarding significant arrests
- Some agencies post daily booking reports or most wanted lists
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Kentucky Court of Justice CourtNet
- The Kentucky Court of Justice offers online access to court records through CourtNet
- Subscription service available to attorneys, law enforcement, and other authorized users
- Provides case information, including charges and court dates
- Limited public access version available at courthouse terminals
-
Kentucky E-Warrants System
- Law enforcement agencies use this system to access warrant information
- Not directly accessible to the public, but can confirm warrant status through local agencies
-
Third-Party Aggregator Websites
- Commercial websites compile public record information from multiple sources
- May provide arrest record information, but accuracy and currency vary
- Often charge fees for comprehensive reports
- Not official government sources; information should be verified through official channels
When using online resources, users should be aware that not all arrest records are available electronically. Older records, sealed records, or records involving juveniles may be excluded from online databases. Additionally, online information may not be updated in real-time and could contain inaccuracies or omissions.
For the most complete and accurate information, it is advisable to contact the appropriate government agency directly, as outlined in the previous section.
How To Search Bullitt County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options for accessing Bullitt County arrest records without incurring fees. The Kentucky Open Records Act establishes the right to inspect public records at no charge, though copying fees may apply. The following methods are currently available for free arrest record searches:
- In-Person Inspection at Law Enforcement Agencies
- Visit the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours
- Request to inspect arrest records under the Open Records Act
- No fee is required for on-site inspection of records
Bullitt County Sheriff's Office
300 Buckman Street
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-2514
Bullitt County Sheriff's Office
-
Court Records Terminal Access
- Visit the Bullitt County Circuit Court Clerk's office
- Use public access terminals to search court records related to arrests
- No fee for searching, though printing may incur charges
-
Online Inmate Search
- Use the Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) system
- Search for current inmates in state custody or county detention
- Free service provided by the Kentucky Department of Corrections
-
Public Information Officers
- Contact the Public Information Officer at the relevant law enforcement agency
- Request basic information about recent arrests or specific cases
- Information provided as a public service at no charge
-
Local Library Resources
- Visit the Bullitt County Public Library
- Access public computers for online searches
- Librarians may assist with navigating public records resources
Bullitt County Public Library
127 N. Walnut Street
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-7675
Bullitt County Public Library
Pursuant to § 61.874 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, while agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, they cannot charge for the right to inspect public records. When requesting free access to records, be prepared to:
- Provide specific information about the records sought
- Present identification if required by agency policy
- Follow agency procedures for record inspection
- Schedule appointments if necessary for extensive record searches
It is important to note that while inspection is free, agencies may limit the time and manner of inspection to prevent disruption of their operations. Additionally, some specialized records or comprehensive background checks may still require payment of statutory fees.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Bullitt County
In Kentucky, individuals with arrest records in Bullitt County may be eligible to have those records expunged (legally erased) or sealed (restricted from public access) under specific circumstances. The process is governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes § 431.073-431.079, which outline eligibility criteria and procedures.
Expungement vs. Sealing:
- Expungement results in the physical destruction or deletion of records
- Sealing restricts public access while maintaining records for limited official use
- In Kentucky, the process is generally referred to as expungement for both outcomes
Eligibility for Expungement:
-
Charges Resulting in Dismissal or Acquittal
- Cases dismissed with prejudice
- Acquittals by jury or judge
- No waiting period required
- Filing fee: $100 per case
-
Misdemeanor Convictions
- Five-year waiting period after completion of sentence
- No pending charges or convictions during waiting period
- Certain offenses excluded (e.g., sex offenses, crimes against children)
- Filing fee: $300 per case
-
Class D Felony Convictions
- Specific eligible Class D felonies listed in KRS § 431.073
- Ten-year waiting period after completion of sentence
- No pending charges or convictions during waiting period
- Filing fee: $500 per case
-
Pardoned Offenses
- Offenses pardoned by the Governor may be eligible
- Special procedures apply
Expungement Process:
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Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Kentucky State Police
- Submit fingerprints and application
- Pay $40 processing fee
- Allow 6-8 weeks for processing
-
File Expungement Petition with the Bullitt County Circuit Court
- Complete AOC-497 form (Petition for Expungement)
- Attach Certificate of Eligibility
- Pay applicable filing fee
- File in the court where the case was handled
-
Court Hearing
- Court schedules hearing within 30-60 days
- Prosecutor may object to expungement
- Judge makes final determination
-
Order of Expungement
- If granted, court issues Order of Expungement
- Order sent to all agencies holding records
- Agencies must comply within 60 days
Bullitt County Circuit Court
300 South Buckman Street
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-7104
Bullitt County Circuit Court
Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with an attorney, as the process can be complex and eligibility determinations may require legal analysis. The Kentucky Court of Justice website provides forms and information about the expungement process, including a self-help guide for those proceeding without an attorney.
What Happens After Arrest in Bullitt County?
Following an arrest in Bullitt County, individuals enter the criminal justice process, which involves several distinct phases from initial custody through case disposition. Understanding this process helps individuals navigate the system and exercise their rights appropriately.
1. Booking Process
- Arrestee is transported to the Bullitt County Detention Center
- Personal information is recorded and verified
- Fingerprinting and photographing (mugshot) are completed
- Personal property is inventoried and secured
- Medical screening is conducted
- Initial criminal history check is performed
2. Initial Appearance/Arraignment
- Occurs within 24-48 hours of arrest
- Judge informs defendant of charges
- Constitutional rights are explained
- Bail/bond determination is made
- Public defender may be appointed if defendant qualifies
- Plea is entered (typically "not guilty" at this stage)
3. Pretrial Release Considerations
- Judge determines conditions of release based on:
- Nature and severity of charges
- Criminal history
- Community ties
- Flight risk assessment
- Public safety concerns
- Release options include:
- Release on recognizance (ROR)
- Cash bond
- Property bond
- Surety bond
- Pretrial supervision
4. Preliminary Hearing (Felony Cases)
- Held within 10 days if defendant is in custody, 20 days if released
- Prosecutor presents evidence establishing probable cause
- Judge determines if case should proceed to grand jury
- May be waived by defendant
5. Grand Jury Proceedings (Felony Cases)
- Secret proceeding reviews evidence
- Determines whether to issue indictment
- No defense presentation at this stage
- Requires 9 of 12 jurors to indict
6. Pretrial Conferences
- Status hearings to discuss case progress
- Plea negotiations may occur
- Discovery issues addressed
- Motions may be filed and argued
7. Trial or Plea Resolution
- Most cases resolve through plea agreements
- Trials may be jury trials or bench trials (judge only)
- Prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt
- Defendant has constitutional right to trial by jury
8. Sentencing
- Follows conviction (by plea or trial)
- Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Victim impact statements may be presented
- Judge imposes sentence based on:
- Kentucky sentencing guidelines
- Statutory requirements
- Mitigating and aggravating factors
9. Post-Conviction
- Defendant may appeal conviction or sentence
- Probation supervision if applicable
- Incarceration in county jail or state prison if ordered
- Payment of fines, fees, and restitution
Throughout this process, cases may be handled by different courts depending on the severity of charges. Misdemeanors are typically processed in Bullitt District Court, while felonies, after indictment, proceed to Bullitt Circuit Court. The Kentucky Court of Justice oversees all court operations in the county.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Bullitt County?
Arrest records in Bullitt County are maintained according to Kentucky's records retention schedules, which are established under the authority of Kentucky Revised Statutes § 171.410-171.740. These statutes govern the preservation and management of public records throughout the Commonwealth, including those related to law enforcement activities.
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) develops and oversees the implementation of records retention schedules for all state and local government agencies. Law enforcement agencies in Bullitt County, including the Sheriff's Office and local police departments, must adhere to these schedules when maintaining arrest records.
Standard Retention Periods for Arrest Records:
-
Arrest Reports and Booking Information
- Felony arrests: 50 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests: 10 years from date of arrest
- Arrests not resulting in charges: 5 years from date of arrest
-
Fingerprint Cards and Identification Records
- Felony cases: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor cases: 10 years after final disposition
- Juvenile offenders: Until subject reaches age 23, unless transferred to adult court
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Investigative Case Files
- Homicide cases: Permanent retention
- Other felony cases: 20 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor cases: 5 years after case closure
- Unfounded/unsubstantiated cases: 5 years after investigation conclusion
-
Warrant and Wanted Person Files
- Active warrants: Until served or recalled by court
- Served/executed warrants: 3 years after service
- Recalled/canceled warrants: 3 years after cancellation
-
Jail Records
- Inmate booking and release information: 5 years after release
- Inmate medical records: 7 years after release
- Jail incident reports: 5 years after incident
Different agencies within the criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements. For example, records maintained by the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office may have different retention periods than those kept by the courts or the detention center.
It is important to note that even after the official retention period expires, information about arrests may persist in various databases, background check systems, and third-party information services. Additionally, court records related to arrests typically have longer retention periods than law enforcement records, with many court records being maintained permanently, especially in felony cases.
The retention of these records serves several important purposes:
- Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
- Supports ongoing criminal investigations
- Provides information for background checks and security clearances
- Maintains historical documentation for statistical and research purposes
- Ensures accountability within the criminal justice system
How to Find Mugshots in Bullitt County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots, or booking photographs, are official photographs taken by law enforcement agencies during the booking process following an arrest. These images typically include front-facing and profile views of the arrested individual and serve as visual identification records within the criminal justice system. In Bullitt County, as in other jurisdictions, mugshots are created as part of the standard booking procedure at the detention facility.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
Mugshots taken in Bullitt County are primarily maintained by:
-
Bullitt County Detention Center
1671 Highway 44 East
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-7263
Bullitt County Detention Center -
Bullitt County Sheriff's Office
300 Buckman Street
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
(502) 543-2514
Bullitt County Sheriff's Office -
Kentucky State Police Records Division
1266 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 227-8700
Kentucky State Police
Finding Mugshots
To locate mugshots in Bullitt County, individuals may:
- Submit an Open Records Request to the agency that made the arrest or to the Bullitt County Detention Center
- Provide specific identifying information about the subject, including full name and date of arrest
- Complete required forms and pay any applicable fees
- Specify that the mugshot is being requested as part of the arrest record
Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870-61.884, mugshots are generally considered public records and may be released upon proper request unless specific exemptions apply.
Can Mugshots Be Found Online?
Currently, Bullitt County law enforcement agencies do not maintain a public-facing online database of mugshots. Unlike some jurisdictions that publish booking photos on their websites, Bullitt County agencies typically require formal requests for these images. However, mugshots may appear online through:
- Media coverage of notable arrests
- Third-party websites that aggregate mugshots from various sources
- Commercial background check services
It should be noted that information found on non-official websites may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
The most reliable method for obtaining an official mugshot is through a formal Open Records Request to the appropriate agency. When submitting such a request:
- Be specific about the record being sought
- Provide as much identifying information as possible
- Explain the purpose of the request (though this is not legally required)
- Be prepared to pay reasonable reproduction fees
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots may be restricted in certain circumstances, including:
- Cases involving juveniles (under 18 years of age)
- Arrests that have been expunged or sealed by court order
- Instances where release would interfere with an ongoing investigation
- Situations where release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Law enforcement agencies must balance public records requirements with privacy considerations and investigative integrity when responding to mugshot requests.
Lookup Arrest Records in Bullitt County
Bullitt County Sheriff's Office Records