Graves County Public Records / Graves County Arrest Records

Graves County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Graves County

Arrest records in Graves County, Kentucky, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870–61.884, commonly known as the Kentucky Open Records Act, records created or maintained by public agencies — including law enforcement — are presumptively open to inspection by any member of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This means that arrest records generated by the Graves County Sheriff's Office, the Mayfield Police Department, or the Kentucky State Police are accessible upon a properly submitted request.

It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement 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 Kentucky law, an individual may have an arrest record without any corresponding conviction if charges were dismissed, reduced, or never filed. Members of the public reviewing arrest records are advised to consider this distinction carefully, as an arrest alone does not establish criminal liability.

The Kentucky State Police open records request portal provides guidance on how state-level law enforcement records, including those involving Graves County incidents, may be formally requested under the Open Records Act.

What's in Graves County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Graves County law enforcement agencies typically contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking. The specific contents may vary slightly depending on the arresting agency, but the following categories of information are generally included:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Home address at time of arrest
Race and gender

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Name and badge number of arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., Graves County Sheriff's Office, Mayfield Police Department, Kentucky State Police)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)
Kentucky Revised Statutes citation for each charge
Charge classification and severity level

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of originating warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number assigned by the detention facility
Date and time of booking
Facility where the individual was booked (e.g., Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center)

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, or release on recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond conditions, if any

Court Information:

Assigned court and case number
Scheduled court appearance dates
Presiding judge or division

Custody Status:

Current custody status (held, released, transferred)
Release date and method of release, if applicable

Additional Information May Include:

Fingerprint records and booking photographs (mugshots)
Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
Co-defendant information in multi-party cases

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Graves County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain arrest records in Graves County through several official channels. The process is governed by the Kentucky Open Records Act, and agencies are generally required to respond to written requests within five business days pursuant to KRS § 61.880.

To look up arrest records, members of the public should follow these steps:

Identify the correct agency. Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest — the Graves County Sheriff's Office, a municipal police department, or the Kentucky State Police — as each agency maintains its own records.
Prepare a written Open Records request. The request must identify the records sought with reasonable particularity, including the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and any known case or booking number.
Submit the request in person, by mail, or electronically. Each agency has its own submission procedures. The Graves County Sheriff's Office accepts requests at its public counter during regular business hours.
Pay applicable fees. Agencies may charge a reasonable fee for copies of records, currently not to exceed ten cents per page for standard paper copies under Kentucky law.
Await the agency's response. The agency must respond within five business days, either producing the records, denying the request with a written explanation citing the applicable exemption, or notifying the requester that additional time is needed.

Graves County Sheriff's Office 101 E. South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-4501 Sheriff's Office – Graves County Fiscal Court

Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center 101 E. South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-0077 Jail and Restricted Custody Center – Graves County Fiscal Court

Graves County Fiscal Court / Judge Executive's Office 100 E. Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-1676 Graves County Fiscal Court

How To Find Graves County Arrest Records Online

Several official online resources currently provide access to arrest-related information for Graves County. Members of the public may use the following platforms:

Kentucky Court of Justice Case Search (CourtNet): The Graves County court records portal through the Kentucky Court of Justice allows users to search for case information, including criminal cases arising from arrests in Graves County. The Circuit Court Clerk's office in Graves County serves as the primary point of contact for court-related records.
Kentucky State Police Records: Incidents involving Kentucky State Police Post 1, which serves the Graves County area, may be researched through the Kentucky State Police Graves County news and incident page, which publishes press releases related to arrests and investigations in the region.
Graves County Official Website: The Graves County Fiscal Court website provides links to county offices and may contain publicly posted jail rosters or press releases from the Sheriff's Office.

Graves County Circuit Court Clerk's Office 100 E. Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-1676 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Graves – Kentucky Court of Justice

How To Search Graves County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access certain arrest records in Graves County at no cost through the following methods:

In-person inspection: Under KRS § 61.874, any person has the right to inspect public records in person at the agency's offices without charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Kentucky Court of Justice online portal: The CourtNet public access terminal, available at the Graves County Courthouse, allows free in-person searches of court case records, including criminal cases.
Kentucky State Police press releases: Publicly posted arrest announcements and press releases on the Kentucky State Police website are available at no cost.
Jail roster: The Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center may maintain a publicly accessible inmate roster. Members of the public may contact the facility directly to inquire about current roster availability.
Graves County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office may provide basic arrest information verbally or through publicly posted records at no charge during regular business hours.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Graves County

Kentucky law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for certain official purposes). These are distinct legal remedies with different eligibility requirements and effects.

Expungement results in the destruction or erasure of the arrest record, as though the arrest did not occur. Under KRS § 431.076, individuals whose charges were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or were never filed may petition the court for expungement of the arrest record. Certain misdemeanor convictions and some Class D felony convictions may also be eligible for expungement after a waiting period under KRS § 431.078 and § 431.073, respectively.

Sealing restricts access to the record by the general public but preserves it for use by law enforcement and certain licensing authorities.

Arrest records may be eligible for removal or restriction in the following circumstances:

Charges were dismissed without conviction
The individual was acquitted at trial
The arrest did not result in the filing of charges
The individual successfully completed a diversion program
A conviction was later vacated or set aside

Steps to pursue expungement in Graves County:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record and associated court case information from the Graves County Circuit Court Clerk.
Confirm eligibility under the applicable Kentucky statute.
File a Petition for Expungement in the Graves County Circuit or District Court, along with the required filing fee (currently $100 for eligible misdemeanors; fees vary for felonies).
Serve notice on the Commonwealth's Attorney or County Attorney as required.
Attend the scheduled hearing, if one is set by the court.
If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the record.

What Happens After Arrest in Graves County?

The criminal justice process in Graves County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition. Understanding this process helps members of the public interpret arrest records accurately.

Arrest: A law enforcement officer takes an individual into custody based on probable cause, a warrant, or observation of a criminal offense.
Booking: The individual is transported to the Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center, where personal information is recorded, fingerprints and photographs are taken, and property is inventoried.
Initial Appearance: The arrested individual is brought before a judge, typically within 48 hours, for an initial appearance. The judge reviews the charges, advises the defendant of their rights, and sets bond.
Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: For felony charges, the case proceeds to a preliminary hearing in District Court or is presented to a grand jury in Circuit Court to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed to trial.
Arraignment: The defendant enters a formal plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest) before the assigned court.
Pre-Trial Proceedings: Both parties engage in discovery, motions practice, and potential plea negotiations.
Trial or Plea: The case is resolved either through a negotiated plea agreement or a jury or bench trial.
Sentencing: If convicted, the court imposes a sentence in accordance with Kentucky law.
Appeals: The defendant retains the right to appeal a conviction or sentence to a higher court.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Graves County?

Arrest records in Graves County are subject to retention schedules established under Kentucky law and applicable administrative regulations. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) publishes official records retention schedules that govern how long public agencies must maintain various categories of records.

Under current Kentucky administrative guidance, law enforcement agencies are generally required to retain arrest records for a minimum period that varies based on the nature of the offense and the outcome of the case:

Felony arrest records are typically retained permanently or for extended periods, given their evidentiary and historical significance.
Misdemeanor arrest records may be retained for shorter periods, often ranging from five to ten years following case closure, depending on the specific offense category.
Records of arrests not resulting in charges or conviction are subject to the same general retention schedules unless expunged by court order.

Different agencies within Graves County — including the Sheriff's Office, the Jail, and the Circuit Court Clerk — maintain separate records and may apply different retention periods in accordance with their respective schedules. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. Members of the public seeking information about specific retention periods may contact the Graves County Sheriff's Office or the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives directly.

How to Find Mugshots in Graves County

What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized booking photograph taken by law enforcement at the time an individual is processed into a detention facility following an arrest. Mugshots typically include a front-facing and profile photograph and are taken as part of the standard booking procedure at the Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots are maintained by the arresting agency and the detention facility. In Graves County, booking photographs are held by the Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center and may also be retained by the Graves County Sheriff's Office and other arresting agencies.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request booking photographs through a formal Open Records Act request submitted to the Graves County Sheriff's Office or the Graves County Jail. The request should identify the subject by full name and approximate date of arrest or booking.

Can They Be Found Online The Graves County Jail may publish a publicly accessible inmate roster that includes booking photographs. Additionally, the Kentucky State Police periodically publishes press releases that may include photographs of individuals arrested in connection with significant investigations in the Graves County area.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially To obtain a mugshot officially, members of the public should submit a written Open Records request to the appropriate agency. The agency is required to respond within five business days under the Kentucky Open Records Act.

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Certain booking photographs may be withheld from public disclosure if their release would endanger an ongoing investigation, compromise the safety of a confidential informant, or if the subject has obtained a court order expunging or sealing the associated arrest record. Juvenile booking photographs are generally exempt from public disclosure under Kentucky law.

Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center 101 E. South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-0077 Public Counter Hours: Available 24 hours for inquiries; administrative requests processed Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Jail and Restricted Custody Center – Graves County Fiscal Court