Kentucky Warrants: Types, Searches, and What to Expect

A warrant, issued by a judge or magistrate, provides for the arrest of certain individuals by the police or the search of certain places or to secure the appearance of certain individuals in court. They are a very effective means of maintaining due process through judicial inquiry and on probable cause and are in force throughout the United States, but the method of obtaining and publishing them is different in different states.

What Is a Warrant in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, a warrant is a judicial order issued to law enforcement personnel to act lawfully. It is normally issued by judges or magistrates in the District, Circuit and Family Courts of the state. The prescribed grounds for the issuance of such warrants, are set forth in the Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure and in the statutes. Warrants are usually issued for one or more of the following reasons.

• The search and seizure of property connected with the investigation.
• The arrest of a person charged with a criminal offense.
• The production of a person in court who has failed to comply with prior orders.

Types of Warrants in Kentucky

In Kentucky, law enforcement officials must know the following types of warrants, for each serves a purpose and is important:

Bench Warrant: This warrant is issued by the court by reason of the defendant’s failure to comply with a court order, such as failure to appear at a hearing.

Extradition or Governor’s Warrant: This may arise when it is necessary to move a prisoner from one jurisdiction to another, and by a governor’s warrant or requisition. This is in the nature of a transfer upon legal process.

Search Warrant: The search warrant gives the peace officer the right to search a specified place for evidence, goods, or contraband. In Kentucky, peace officers have the right to file their search warrant petitions with the court, where they can file electronically and have them approved by the court.

No-Knock Warrant: The no-knock warrant is a class of search warrant that authorizes the officers to enter a place without first knocking and announcing themselves. This is subject to statutory limitation, and more justification is required.

Arrest Warrant: A warrant of arrest is a court order that gives the peace officer the right to take a person into custody when there is a lawful charge against him of crime or a failure to appear in court.

How to Search for Warrants in Kentucky

While there is no central public repository for warrants in Kentucky, information can still be obtained from several sources, including:

Kentucky Court of Justice Online Services: Through its CourtNet 2.0 platform, the state judiciary allows users to view case information, which can include details about active or past warrants.

County Sheriff’s Offices: Many sheriff’s offices maintain lists of active warrants, especially for misdemeanors. Larger counties, such as Jefferson and Fayette, allow the public to request warrant records online through designated inquiry systems.

Clerk of Court Offices: District and Circuit Court clerks maintain case files that may include warrant details.

Local Police Departments: City police, such as the Louisville Metro Police Department and Lexington Police Department, manage misdemeanor and ordinance-related warrants.

Kentucky State Police (KSP): To obtain warrant-related information, requesters can submit an open record request to the KSP’s Custodian of Records.

Third-Party Search Tools: Commercial databases may list warrant information on their websites, but verification should come from official court or sheriff’s records.

In Kentucky, publicly available warrant information includes the individual’s name, case number, charges, type of warrant, issuing court, and bail or bond information.

Warrant Records in Major Kentucky Counties

• Louisville (Jefferson County): To obtain warrant records from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, interested parties may contact the Criminal Division. The Circuit and District Courts also provide case records to the public through clerk’s offices.
• Lexington (Fayette County): The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office manages a list of individuals with outstanding warrants on its website.
• Bowling Green (Warren County): The Warren County Sheriff’s Office allows the public to request warrant records through the open records request portal or by visiting the Records Section in person.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, what happens after a warrant is issued depends on the type of warrant:

• Arrest Warrants: Police, Sheriff’s deputies, or state troopers have the authority to arrest the person named in the warrant. Within 24 to 48 hours, the arrested person must appear in court, where they will be informed of their charges.
• Bench Warrants: If the summoned party fails to appear in court, it can result in immediate arrest and penalties like jail time or fines.
• Search Warrants: Officers must execute searches promptly and obtain the evidence that may be used in court proceedings.
• Civil Warrants: The summoned party must appear in court and respond in a civil lawsuit. Failure to do so may result in the court issuing a default judgment.

Resolving a warrant in Kentucky typically involves appearing in court voluntarily, hiring a lawyer to negotiate bond terms, and paying overdue fines.

An unresolved warrant can lead to arrest during routine stops, travel screenings, or background checks.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, warrants, whether for arrest or litigation, remain active until executed or resolved. The distinction between an arrest warrant and a bench warrant is that it may be executed at any time after it is issued, regardless of how much time has passed since the warrant was issued. Likewise, a search warrant must be served within ten days of it being issued, but will not be valid once that time has passed. In a civil matter, once the cause of action is resolved, any civil warrants will be void.

Judgments by default may be obtained if the defendant fails to appear in a civil lawsuit. A warrant can be quashed if improper, vacated after execution, or determined or recalled by the court if the defendant has met the court’s requirements.

As important components of Kentucky law enforcement, warrants exist to guarantee that law enforcement engages in conduct based on judicial authority. Various types of warrants will be issued in the state of Kentucky, and each type of warrant has serious ramifications. Kentucky residents can locate warrant records from the court clerk and county sheriff; however, online access to those records may vary by county.

Most importantly, in Kentucky, warrants do not expire and must be handled by way of a court appearance. If you believe you may have an active warrant, you should contact an attorney or the issuing court to get the active warrant cleared in a reasonable amount of time without fear of unexpected arrest or further penalties.