Access Lincoln County Arrest Records
Lincoln County is located in central Kentucky with Stanford as its county seat. The county has an estimated population of 24,910. Arrest records are created by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and processed through the Lincoln County Regional Jail in Stanford. These records document each booking with details about the charges, bond amounts, and custody status. County government offices at 102 W Main St in Stanford handle general public records inquiries. Lincoln County residents, attorneys, and researchers can access arrest and court records through local offices and the Kentucky court system. The sheriff's office and regional jail are the primary sources for current booking information.
Lincoln Sheriff Arrest Records
Sheriff Shawn Hines leads the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at 104 N 2nd St in Stanford. The office phone number is (606) 365-2696. Deputies handle patrol, criminal investigations, warrant service, and court security throughout the county. Each arrest produces a report that becomes part of the public record once filed with the court system.
The sheriff's office maintains specific business hours that residents should know before visiting. Doors are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. On Wednesday and Saturday, hours are 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The office is closed on Sunday. Planning a visit during these hours ensures that staff are available to assist with records requests or answer questions about recent arrests.
The screenshot below shows the sheriff's office website with contact details and office information.
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
The website lists services offered by the sheriff's office including warrant checks and civil process.
Stanford Jail Arrest Records
The Lincoln County Regional Jail in Stanford processes all local bookings. When law enforcement brings someone to the jail, intake staff photograph the individual, record personal information, and log each charge. A bond amount is assigned based on the severity of the offense and any existing guidelines. This booking record serves as the official documentation of the arrest and is maintained as a public record.
Booking records at the regional jail include several pieces of information. The record shows the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, the charges filed, and the bond amount set for each charge. It also includes physical descriptors and a booking photograph. Families looking for someone who was recently arrested can contact the jail directly to confirm custody status and learn about visitation procedures.
Under KRS 61.880, the jail must respond to written records requests within three business days. Verbal inquiries about current inmates are typically handled more quickly.
Note: Bond amounts for some charges are set by a schedule, while others require a judge to make a determination at a hearing.
Lincoln County Government
The Lincoln County government website provides directory information for all county offices and departments. Government offices at 102 W Main St in Stanford serve as the administrative hub for county operations. While arrest records are handled by the sheriff's office and the courts, the county government site helps residents identify the right office for their needs. The county government homepage is shown below.
Lincoln County Government
The website includes office phone numbers, addresses, and links to county departments.
The City of Stanford also maintains its own website with information about city services, ordinances, and local governance. Stanford serves as both the county seat and the largest city in Lincoln County, so its government offices are located near the county courthouse and sheriff's office. The city website is displayed below.
City of Stanford
City and county offices coordinate on matters that affect both jurisdictions.
Court Records in Lincoln County
The Kentucky Court of Justice page for Lincoln County provides contact information for local courts and links to statewide judicial resources. After an arrest, the case file transfers from the jail to the court system. The clerk's office maintains all filings, schedules hearings, and records case outcomes. Court records build on the initial arrest record to create a complete history of each criminal case. The Lincoln County court page is shown below.
Kentucky Courts - Lincoln County
This portal helps attorneys and the public find courtroom locations and clerk contact details.
Kentucky's open records law under KRS 61.872 gives every person the right to inspect public records. Court filings, arrest records, and case dispositions fall within this right. Certain exemptions exist under KRS 61.878 for records that could compromise ongoing investigations or that involve juvenile proceedings. However, the vast majority of adult criminal records remain open to public inspection.
Kentucky Arrest Records Database
The Kentucky Online Offender Lookup system tracks individuals serving state sentences or under community supervision. This statewide database covers people who were convicted in Lincoln County and sentenced to state prison time. Users search by name and receive information about the person's current facility, sentence length, and earliest possible release date.
Pretrial detainees at the Lincoln County Regional Jail do not appear in KOOL. The state system only includes individuals who have been convicted and transferred to state custody. For current jail inmates, the regional jail itself is the correct source. Once a person enters the state correctional system, their record in KOOL replaces the local detention record as the primary tracking document.
Arrest Record Expungement
Kentucky law allows certain arrest records to be expunged under specific conditions. Under KRS 431.076, records from arrests that did not result in a conviction may be eligible for expungement. The individual must petition the court and show that the case was dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or was otherwise resolved without a guilty finding. If the court grants the petition, the arrest record is sealed from public view.
Felony and misdemeanor convictions may also qualify for expungement after certain waiting periods have passed. KRS 431.078 establishes the rules and timelines for conviction-based expungement. Not all offenses are eligible. Violent crimes and sex offenses are excluded from the expungement process. Individuals considering this option should consult the Lincoln County Circuit Court Clerk's office for the proper forms and procedures.
Note: Expungement petitions in Lincoln County are filed with the Circuit Court and typically require a filing fee set by statute.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lincoln County in central Kentucky. Each maintains separate detention and court facilities.