Boyd County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Boyd County
Arrest records in Boyd County are generally considered public records under Kentucky law. Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870–61.884, commonly known as the Kentucky Open Records Act, records created and maintained by public agencies — including law enforcement — are presumptively open to inspection by any member of the public. This framework means that arrest records generated by the Boyd County Sheriff's Office, the Ashland Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies are accessible upon request, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under current Kentucky law, an individual may have an arrest record without any corresponding conviction if charges were dismissed, reduced, or never filed. Both types of records may appear in background checks, though they carry different legal weight.
Certain categories of arrest information may be withheld from public disclosure. Under KRS § 61.878, records involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or information that could compromise a pending prosecution may be exempt from release. Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that partial redactions are permissible when a record contains both releasable and exempt information.
What's in Boyd County Arrest Records
Boyd County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and maintained by the arresting agency. The specific contents of an arrest record may vary depending on the agency involved and the nature of the incident.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description, including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
- Race and gender
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Boyd County Sheriff's Office, Ashland Police Department)
- Incident or case report number
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed at the time of arrest
- Statute or ordinance allegedly violated
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)
- Number of counts per charge
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of the warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number assigned by the detention facility
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where the individual was booked (typically the Boyd County Detention Center)
- Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, or release on recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court or magistrate
- Bond conditions, if any
Court Information:
- Assigned court and case number
- Scheduled arraignment or hearing date
- Presiding judge or magistrate
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (held, released, transferred)
- Release date and method of release, if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Co-defendants listed in the same incident
- Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
- Narrative summary of the incident as recorded by the arresting officer
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Boyd County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Boyd County arrest records through several official channels. Requesters are advised to have identifying information about the subject — such as full name and approximate date of birth — available before initiating a search.
Step 1 – Contact the Boyd County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests made by its deputies. Requests may be submitted in person during business hours or in writing via mail. A written Open Records request citing KRS § 61.872 may be submitted to compel a timely response.
Boyd County Sheriff's Office 2714 Louisa St, Catlettsburg, KY 41129 (606) 739-5135 Boyd County Sheriff's Office
Step 2 – Contact the Ashland Police Department. For arrests made within the City of Ashland, the Ashland Police Department maintains its own records. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail.
Ashland Police Department 1700 Greenup Ave, Ashland, KY 41101 (606) 385-3273 Ashland Police Department
Step 3 – Submit a request to the Boyd County Detention Center. The detention center maintains booking records for individuals processed through its facility.
Boyd County Detention Center 2714 Louisa St, Catlettsburg, KY 41129 (606) 739-5323 Boyd County Detention Center
Step 4 – Contact the Boyd County Circuit Court Clerk. Court records associated with an arrest, including charging documents and case dispositions, are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Boyd County Circuit Court Clerk 2800 Louisa St, Catlettsburg, KY 41129 (606) 739-4131 Boyd County Circuit Court Clerk
Step 5 – Submit a written Open Records request if access is denied. If an agency declines to provide records, the requester may appeal to the Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Open Records pursuant to KRS § 61.880.
How To Find Boyd County Arrest Records Online
Several official online platforms currently provide access to Boyd County arrest-related information without requiring an in-person visit.
The Kentucky Court of Justice case search portal allows members of the public to search court records associated with criminal cases filed in Boyd County. Users may search by name, case number, or date range to locate records of charges, hearings, and case dispositions.
The Kentucky State Police maintain the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) system, which provides searchable information on individuals currently or previously incarcerated in Kentucky correctional facilities. The Boyd County Detention Center inmate records are accessible through this platform, enabling searches by name, facility, or offender identification number.
The Kentucky State Police also operate the Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) system, through which members of the public may request a name-based background check on an individual. This service is available through the KSP Records Section and may require a fee.
Kentucky State Police Records Section 1250 Louisville Rd, Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 227-8700 Kentucky State Police
How To Search Boyd County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public may access certain Boyd County arrest records at no cost through the following official resources.
The Kentucky Court of Justice online portal provides free public access to court case information, including criminal case filings associated with arrests in Boyd County. No account or fee is required to conduct a basic name search.
The Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) system is a free, publicly accessible database maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections. It provides current and historical custody information for individuals held at facilities including the Boyd County Detention Center.
In-person inspection of arrest records at the Boyd County Sheriff's Office or the Boyd County Circuit Court Clerk's office is also available at no charge. Under KRS § 61.872, public agencies are required to make records available for on-site inspection without imposing a fee for the inspection itself. Fees may apply only when copies are requested.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Boyd County
Under Kentucky law, the removal of arrest records from public access is governed by two distinct legal processes: expungement (permanent erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes). These remedies are not available in all circumstances and are subject to eligibility requirements established by statute.
Expungement results in the physical destruction or deletion of the arrest record from agency files and court databases. Once expunged, the record may not be disclosed to the public or referenced in most background checks. Sealing restricts public access to the record but does not destroy it; sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing authorities.
Pursuant to KRS § 431.076, individuals whose charges were dismissed, whose cases resulted in acquittal, or who were never formally charged following an arrest may petition the court for expungement of the arrest record. Eligibility conditions include:
- The charges were dismissed with prejudice or the individual was found not guilty
- No other criminal proceedings are pending against the petitioner
- The petition is filed in the court where the case was adjudicated
For misdemeanor convictions, KRS § 431.078 provides a separate expungement pathway, subject to a waiting period and additional eligibility criteria. Certain felony convictions may also be eligible for expungement under KRS § 431.073, enacted as part of Kentucky's criminal justice reform efforts.
Steps to Petition for Expungement:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case information from the Boyd County Circuit Court Clerk
- Confirm eligibility based on the nature of the charge and case outcome
- Complete the official expungement petition form available from the Circuit Court Clerk's office
- File the petition with the Boyd County Circuit Court and pay the applicable filing fee (fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners)
- Attend the scheduled hearing, at which the court will determine whether expungement is warranted
- If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the record
Boyd County Circuit Court 2800 Louisa St, Catlettsburg, KY 41129 (606) 739-4131 Boyd County Circuit Court
What Happens After Arrest in Boyd County?
The criminal justice process in Boyd County follows a structured sequence of events from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
Arrest and Booking. Following an arrest by a law enforcement officer, the individual is transported to the Boyd County Detention Center for booking. During booking, personal information is recorded, fingerprints and photographs are taken, and the individual's property is inventoried and secured.
Initial Appearance. Within a reasonable time following arrest — typically within 48 hours — the individual is brought before a District Court judge or magistrate for an initial appearance. At this stage, the charges are formally read, and the court determines whether to set bail and under what conditions.
Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury. For felony charges, the case proceeds either to a preliminary hearing in District Court or to a grand jury in Circuit Court. The purpose of this stage is to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed to trial.
Arraignment. At arraignment, the defendant enters a formal plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The case is then scheduled for further proceedings based on the plea entered.
Pre-Trial Proceedings. Both the prosecution and defense may file motions, conduct discovery, and engage in plea negotiations during the pre-trial phase.
Trial or Plea Disposition. If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial before a judge or jury. If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty at trial, the court proceeds to sentencing.
Sentencing and Post-Conviction. The court imposes a sentence in accordance with Kentucky sentencing guidelines. Post-conviction remedies, including appeals and expungement petitions, may be pursued following the conclusion of the case.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Boyd County?
Arrest records in Boyd County are subject to retention schedules established under Kentucky administrative regulations and state law. Different agencies maintain records for varying periods depending on the nature of the offense and the outcome of the case.
Under the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives records retention schedules, law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum of five years following the date of arrest for misdemeanor offenses. Felony arrest records are typically retained for longer periods, often indefinitely, particularly when the case resulted in a conviction.
Court records associated with criminal cases — including charging documents, hearing transcripts, and disposition orders — are maintained by the Boyd County Circuit Court Clerk in accordance with the Kentucky Court of Justice records retention policies. Felony case records are generally retained permanently, while certain misdemeanor records may be subject to shorter retention periods.
The Boyd County Detention Center retains booking records, including mugshots and fingerprint data, in accordance with applicable state administrative regulations. Records involving individuals who were subsequently convicted are typically retained for extended periods to preserve evidence and support accountability.
Records retention serves multiple public interests: it preserves evidence for potential future proceedings, supports law enforcement investigations, enables background checks for employment and licensing purposes, and maintains the historical integrity of the public record. Members of the public may request information about specific retention schedules from the relevant agency's records custodian.
How to Find Mugshots in Boyd County
What Mugshots Are. A mugshot is a standardized photograph taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. Mugshots are part of the official arrest record and serve as a visual identification tool for law enforcement agencies.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained. In Boyd County, mugshots are maintained primarily by the Boyd County Detention Center, which photographs all individuals processed through its booking facility. The Boyd County Sheriff's Office and the Ashland Police Department may also retain mugshots for individuals arrested by their respective agencies.
Finding Mugshots. Members of the public may request copies of mugshots by submitting an Open Records request to the relevant law enforcement agency. Requests should identify the subject by full name and approximate date of arrest. Agencies are required to respond to Open Records requests within five business days under KRS § 61.880.
Can They Be Found Online. At present, Boyd County does not operate a publicly accessible online mugshot database. However, booking photographs for individuals currently held at the Boyd County Detention Center may be accessible through the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup system maintained by the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially. Official copies of mugshots may be obtained by submitting a written Open Records request to the Boyd County Sheriff's Office or the Boyd County Detention Center. A nominal fee may be charged for printed or digital copies.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access. Mugshots of juvenile offenders are not subject to public disclosure under Kentucky law. Additionally, if an individual's arrest record has been expunged pursuant to KRS § 431.076, the associated mugshot must also be destroyed or returned to the petitioner as directed by the court's expungement order.
Boyd County Sheriff's Office / Detention Center 2714 Louisa St, Catlettsburg, KY 41129 (606) 739-5135 / (606) 739-5323 Boyd County Sheriff's Office