Search Rowan County Arrest Records
Rowan County is located in eastern Kentucky with its county seat in Morehead. The county has a population of about 24,675 residents. Arrest records here are generated by the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Morehead Police Department. These records are then processed at the Rowan County Detention Center on South Tolliver Road. Kentucky's open records law gives members of the public the right to inspect arrest records held by county agencies. Booking logs, charges, bond amounts, and custody status are all part of the public record. This page explains where to find those records and how the local system works.
Rowan County Sheriff's Office
The Rowan County Sheriff's Office is at 600 West Main Street in Morehead. You can reach the office by phone at (606) 784-5446. The sheriff handles warrant service, civil process, and court security for the county. Deputies also patrol unincorporated areas and respond to calls outside Morehead city limits. Arrest records created by the sheriff's office include the suspect's name, date of birth, charges filed, and the arresting officer. These documents become part of the permanent public record once filed.
The Morehead Police Department also generates arrest records within city limits. That agency can be reached at 606-784-7511. Records from both agencies feed into the same county detention system. When someone is arrested by either agency, the booking paperwork follows them to the detention center for processing.
Detention Center Arrest Records
The Rowan County Detention Center sits at 1075 South Tolliver Road in Morehead. Jailer Wes Coldiron oversees daily operations at the facility. The front desk phone number is (606) 784-8457. You can also reach the jailer's office by email at wes.coldiron@rcky.us. All individuals arrested in Rowan County are processed through this facility. Booking staff record personal information, photograph the individual, and log all charges. Bond amounts are set according to the court schedule or by a judge during arraignment.
The facility uses JailTracker software to manage its inmate population and booking records. This system allows staff to track who is currently in custody, when they arrived, and what charges they face. Release dates are also logged in the system once bond is posted or a sentence is completed.
Rowan County Detention Center page
Families seeking information about a detained person should call the facility directly. Staff can confirm whether someone is in custody and provide basic booking details over the phone during normal business hours.
Online Arrest Records in Rowan County
The detention center publishes current inmate data through the Rowan County JailTracker portal. This online tool lets you search by name to find individuals currently held in the facility. Each listing shows the person's booking date, charges, bond amount, and expected court dates. The system updates throughout the day as new bookings and releases occur. No account or registration is needed to use it.
JailTracker only displays current inmates. Once a person is released, their record is removed from the active roster. For historical arrest records, you would need to contact the detention center or the Rowan County Clerk's office directly. Past booking records are maintained on file but are not available through the online portal.
The county government website also provides links to various departments that handle public records requests.
Rowan County Court Records
After an arrest, the case moves into the court system. Rowan County court records track every step from arraignment through disposition. These records include the original charges, any plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing details. Court records are separate from jail booking records but are connected through case numbers. Checking both gives a complete picture of any criminal matter.
The Rowan County Clerk maintains various public records at the county level. You can reach the clerk's office by email at records@rowancountyclerk.ky.gov. For questions about court filings or case status, the Circuit Court Clerk's office handles those inquiries. Both offices are located in downtown Morehead and accept in-person requests during business hours.
Mail records requests to PO Box 349, Morehead, KY 40351.
Kentucky State Arrest Records
The Kentucky Department of Corrections maintains the KOOL (Kentucky Online Offender Lookup) system. This statewide database tracks individuals who have been convicted and sentenced in Kentucky courts. It includes offenders from all 120 counties. KOOL shows conviction details, sentence lengths, and current custody status for state inmates. Rowan County cases that result in state prison sentences appear in this system.
KOOL is not the same as local jail records. The state system only covers individuals serving sentences under the Department of Corrections. People held locally on pretrial detention or misdemeanor sentences stay in the county system. Both tools serve different purposes. Use the JailTracker portal for current local inmates and KOOL for state-level conviction records.
Kentucky's Open Records Act, codified under KRS 61.872, establishes the right of any person to inspect public records. Agencies must respond to written requests within three business days. Copying fees are allowed under KRS 61.874, but agencies cannot charge for simply viewing records in person.
What Arrest Records Include
A Rowan County arrest record contains several standard pieces of information. The record lists the person's full legal name, date of birth, and physical description. It includes the arresting agency, officer name, and date of arrest. All charges are itemized with their statute references. Bond information appears once it has been set by the court.
Booking records add additional details beyond the initial arrest. Mugshots are taken at intake. Personal property is inventoried and stored. Medical intake questions are documented. Each person receives a booking number that tracks them through their time in custody. This number connects to all subsequent court appearances and case updates.
An arrest record is not a conviction. Many arrests do not result in guilty verdicts. Charges may be reduced, dismissed, or resolved through diversion programs. Kentucky law under KRS 431.078 allows certain eligible individuals to petition for expungement of their records after meeting specific conditions.
Nearby Counties with Arrest Records
These counties neighbor Rowan County. Each maintains separate arrest records and detention facilities.