Johnson County, KY Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Johnson County Circuit Court and District Court are the county's trial courts within the unified Kentucky Court of Justice. Circuit Court hears felonies and larger civil cases, and District Court hears misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Johnson County Circuit Court and District Court (Judicial Circuit 24) |
| Main Address | Johnson County Judicial Center, 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240 |
| Main Phone | 606-297-9567 |
| Website | kycourts.gov county information |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Paintsville) |
| Handles | Felonies, civil cases above the District Court limit, and appeals from District Court in Circuit Court; misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, probate, juvenile matters, and preliminary felony hearings in District Court |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (the U.S. District Court for Kentucky) and parking tickets (the issuing agency) |
| Criminal Records Requests | Circuit Court Clerk (Hillary M. Chafin), 606-297-9567 |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | Kentucky county pages list online payment through ePay; contact the Circuit Court Clerk at 606-297-9567 for details |
How to Search Johnson County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville.
Online
Go to kycourts.gov for county court contact information.
Call the Circuit Court Clerk to ask whether a case can be searched online.
Confirm case details with the clerk before relying on them.
Best for: Checking court contact details first
In Person
Go to the Johnson County Judicial Center, 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk's staff which division handles your case.
Best for: Records and copies not available by phone
By Phone
Call 606-297-9567 to reach the Circuit Court Clerk.
Ask the clerk what information a records request needs.
Use the statewide Request Court Records page at kycourts.gov for records requests.
Best for: Confirming what the clerk needs
Search by Name on KentuckyCourts.org
Go to KentuckyCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Johnson County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Johnson County courts handled an estimated 3,323 new cases in CY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 3,251. The estimate scales Kentucky statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~3,323
Total filings in CY 2024
~3,251
Total dispositions in CY 2024
~3,323
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~-1.4%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~3,323 | ~3,371 | ~-1.4% |
| Total Dispositions | ~3,251 | ~3,323 | ~-2.2% |
| Criminal Filings | ~1,926 | ~1,975 | ~-2.5% |
| Civil Filings | ~626 | ~626 | ~+0.0% |
| Family Law Filings | ~313 | ~313 | ~+0.0% |
| Probate Filings | ~144 | ~144 | ~+0.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~43 | ~43 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~87 | ~87 | ~+0.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kentucky statewide figures scaled by Johnson County's 0.48% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Johnson County?
Estimated total filings in Johnson County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | ~3,323 | ~3,251 | ~-1.4% |
| CY 2023 | ~3,371 | ~3,323 | ~+2.9% |
| CY 2022 | ~3,275 | ~3,227 | ~+4.6% |
| CY 2021 | ~3,130 | ~3,034 | ~+1.6% |
| CY 2020 | ~3,082 | ~2,938 | ~+1.6% |
Estimated filings changed +7.8% between CY 2020 and CY 2024, from 3,082 to 3,323. The largest annual change was +4.6% in CY 2022. The latest change of -1.4% reflects statewide Kentucky trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kentucky statewide figures scaled by Johnson County's 0.48% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Johnson County?
The Circuit Court and District Court in Johnson County hear the case types below. Case counts by type are not published here.
| Case Type | Court |
|---|---|
| Felonies | Circuit Court |
| Civil cases above the District Court limit | Circuit Court |
| Appeals from District Court | Circuit Court |
| Family matters, where the circuit hears them | Circuit Court |
| Misdemeanors | District Court |
| Traffic cases | District Court |
| Small claims | District Court |
| Probate | District Court |
| Juvenile matters | District Court |
| Preliminary felony hearings | District Court |
How Does Johnson County Compare With Kentucky Overall?
Johnson County is estimated to account for about 0.48% of the 690,000 cases filed in Kentucky courts in CY 2024.
| Metric | Johnson County | Kentucky | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~3,323 | 690,000 | ~0.48% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~-1.4% | -1.4% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~3,323 | 2,875 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~3,251 | 2,812 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~58.0% | 58.0% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~18.8% | 18.8% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~9.4% | 9.4% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Kentucky figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Kentucky statewide figures scaled by Johnson County's 0.48% share of the state population.
Johnson County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Kentucky statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Johnson County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 7.5% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 100% of Kentucky's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
9,959
Violent crimes, Kentucky statewide, 2025
59,098
Property crimes, Kentucky statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
216.2
Violent crime rate per 100K, Kentucky statewide, 2025 (population 4,606,864)
-7.5%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Kentucky statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (69,057 vs 74,690)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder (homicide) | 192 | 4.2 | 291 | -34.0% |
| Rape | 1,650 | 35.8 | 1,765 | -6.5% |
| Robbery | 1,369 | 29.7 | 1,657 | -17.4% |
| Aggravated assault | 6,748 | 146.5 | 6,697 | +0.8% |
| Violent crimes total | 9,959 | 216.2 | 10,410 | -4.3% |
| Burglary | 7,813 | 169.6 | 9,188 | -15.0% |
| Larceny-theft | 42,056 | 912.9 | 43,970 | -4.4% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 8,893 | 193.0 | 10,698 | -16.9% |
| Property crimes total | 59,098 | 1282.8 | 64,280 | -8.1% |
Rates use the Kentucky 2025 population of 4,606,864. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Johnson County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Johnson County Courthouse Locations
Johnson County has 1 Circuit Court Clerk location, in Paintsville. Check your notice or citation for the assigned courthouse before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County Judicial Center (Paintsville) | Johnson County Judicial Center, 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240 | 606-297-9567 | See location page |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Johnson County?
Your court depends on the type of case. The Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville keeps records for the Circuit, Family, District, and Business courts in Johnson County.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court | Traffic cases are heard in District Court; contact the Circuit Court Clerk to confirm payment options. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are not handled by the court. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | District Court hears misdemeanors. |
| Felony | Circuit Court | Circuit Court hears felonies, and District Court holds preliminary felony hearings. |
| DUI | Circuit Court or District Court | The charge level on your paperwork determines which court hears the case. |
| Domestic violence | Circuit Court or District Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route. |
| Civil lawsuit | Circuit Court or District Court | Circuit Court hears civil cases above the District Court limit. |
| Small claims | District Court | District Court hears small claims. |
| Divorce | Circuit Court (or Family Court where the circuit has one) | Family matters are heard in Circuit Court in many counties. |
| Child custody or support | Circuit Court (or Family Court where the circuit has one) | Family matters are heard in Circuit Court in many counties. |
| Probate or estate | District Court | District Court handles probate matters. |
| Juvenile case | District Court | District Court handles juvenile matters. |
| Appeal | Circuit Court, then the Kentucky Court of Appeals | Circuit Court hears appeals from District Court. |
Are Johnson County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Johnson County court records are public, with exceptions. Access is governed by Kentucky Supreme Court rules on access to court records and by each court's own rules.
Public records
Most Circuit, Family, District, and Business court records are open to the public under the court's access rules.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, mental health, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available.
Online access
This section does not list a county case search. Call the Circuit Court Clerk at 606-297-9567 or visit kycourts.gov to ask what can be searched online.
In-person access
Visit the Circuit Court Clerk at 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240 to view or request records. Call 606-297-9567 to confirm which division holds your case.
Fees
No fees are stated here. Ask the Circuit Court Clerk for current copy charges.
How to Search Johnson County Court Records Online
Use the Kentucky Court of Justice website to find court contact details for Johnson County cases, and ask the Circuit Court Clerk for records that are not available online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Check the county court information page for contact details.
- Call the Circuit Court Clerk at 606-297-9567 to ask whether the case can be searched online.
- Review the case details the clerk confirms, such as case status and parties.
- Request documents that are not online through the clerk or the Request Court Records page at kycourts.gov.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Circuit Court Clerk 606-297-9567 | Case information the clerk can confirm | Documents may require a request to the clerk |
| Traffic | District Court through the Circuit Court Clerk | Case information the clerk can confirm | Payment is handled separately from record search |
| Civil | Circuit Court Clerk 606-297-9567 | Case information the clerk can confirm | Sealed or restricted filings are not available |
| Small claims | District Court through the Circuit Court Clerk | Case information the clerk can confirm | Documents may require a request to the clerk |
| Family law | Circuit Court Clerk 606-297-9567 | Case information the clerk can confirm | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | District Court through the Circuit Court Clerk | Case information the clerk can confirm | Confirm with the clerk which records are open |
| Juvenile | Circuit Court Clerk 606-297-9567 | Case information the clerk can confirm | Juvenile proceedings are confidential |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Johnson County
The Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville accepts fines and citations in person and online through ePay.
- Online: Pay with ePay through the Circuit Court Clerk's online payment system. Call 606-297-9567 to confirm the payment link.
- In person: Pay in cash, by check, or by money order at the clerk's office, 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240.
- By phone: Call 606-297-9567 to confirm payment options and the amount due.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not by the District Court.
Johnson County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Johnson County court records?
Call or visit the Circuit Court Clerk at 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240, or call 606-297-9567. Court information is at kycourts.gov.
Are Johnson County court records public?
Most are public under Kentucky Supreme Court rules on court records, but juvenile, sealed, expunged, and other confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Call the Circuit Court Clerk at 606-297-9567 with the defendant's full name and approximate dates.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or citation first, then call the Circuit Court Clerk at 606-297-9567 to confirm.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay in person by cash, check, or money order at the clerk's office, or online through ePay. Call 606-297-9567 to confirm.
How many cases are filed in Johnson County each year?
Court filing counts are not published here by county. The 2025 county population was 22,051.
What is the most common case type in Johnson County?
County case-type counts are not published here, so this section cannot confirm the most common type.
Is crime rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 4.3% to 9,959 in 2025 from 10,410 in 2024, and property crimes fell 8.1% to 59,098 from 64,280, as reported to the FBI. These are Kentucky statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Johnson County Circuit CourtMore Info
| Address: | 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY, 41240 |
| Phone Number: | 606-297-9567 |
| Fax: | 606-297-9573 |
| Website: | https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Johnson.aspx |
Useful Links
- Kentucky Court of Justice - Home The official homepage for Kentucky Courts, providing comprehensive resources and links to court services and legal information.
- County Clerks - Kentucky Court of Justice Access contact information for local county clerks, who handle court records, fees, and filings within Kentucky.
- Family Court - Kentucky Court of Justice Offers detailed information about Kentucky Family Court operations, including case types and the court structure.
- Circuit Court - Kentucky Court of Justice Information about Circuit Courts in Kentucky, addressing jurisdiction, types of cases, and locating courts statewide.
- Kentucky Court of Justice - Court Records Search Official portal for searching court case information across state-wide databases, offering public access to court records.
- Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy A resource providing legal assistance and advocacy support for Kentucky residents who need public defender services.
- Legal Forms - Kentucky Court of Justice Offers downloadable legal forms for various court-related procedures, including civil, family, and criminal cases.
- LawHelp.org Kentucky - Finding Free Legal Help A non-profit organization offering resources and guidance for those seeking free legal assistance in Kentucky.
- Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives - Genealogy Provides access to historical and genealogical court records within Kentucky for research and family history exploration.
- Kentucky Court Records - USLegal A resourceful guide explaining how court records are handled in Kentucky, including retrieval procedures and privacy laws.
- Got Courthouse? - Kentucky Court of Justice An initiative explaining what to expect and how to prepare for a court appearance within the Kentucky judicial system.
- Background Checks - Kentucky State Police Details the process and requirements for obtaining official criminal background checks as part of court-related investigations.
- Open Records & Open Meetings - Kentucky Attorney General Provides guidance and legal information on accessing public records and attending open meetings in Kentucky.
- Criminal Justice - ACLU of Kentucky Insightful information on legal rights and criminal justice issues in Kentucky, including advocacy and public policy work.
- Kentucky Lawyers - Justia A directory of legal professionals in Kentucky, facilitating the search for attorneys within various specialties.
- Juvenile Court - Kentucky Court of Justice Detailed insights into the juvenile justice system within Kentucky, covering types of juvenile cases and processes.
- Kentucky Child Support Customer Service State-operated support service offering assistance and guidance regarding child support issues and enforcement in Kentucky.
- Kentucky Legal Statutes - National Legal & Legislative Research Access to annotated Kentucky legal statutes via the National Legal & Legislative Research Center’s dedicated sections.
- Kentucky Small Claims Court Basics - NOLO A comprehensive guide for navigating the small claims court system in Kentucky, with procedural and filing information.
- Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence Providing resources and advocacy support for individuals facing domestic violence issues and legal matters in Kentucky.
Table of Contents
- Johnson County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Johnson County Court Records
- Johnson County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Johnson County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Johnson County?
- How Does Johnson County Compare With Kentucky Overall?
- Johnson County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Johnson County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Johnson County?
- Are Johnson County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Johnson County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Johnson County
- Johnson County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links