Graves County Court Records
What Is Graves County Court Records
Court records in Graves County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute the formal written history of legal actions and include a broad range of materials: case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and warrant information. Each document type serves a distinct evidentiary or administrative function within the judicial process.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, such as deeds, mortgages, and liens, are custodied by the Graves County Clerk and are separate from judicial filings. Vital records — including birth, death, and marriage certificates — are similarly maintained through different administrative channels. Court records, by contrast, originate exclusively from judicial proceedings and are held by the clerk of the court in which the matter was filed.
The following courts in Graves County generate and maintain court records:
- Circuit Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding jurisdictional thresholds, and family law matters
- District Court — handles misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims, probate, and civil matters within its jurisdictional limit
- Family Court — addresses dissolution of marriage, child custody, domestic violence, and juvenile matters
- Probate Court — processes estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings
- Small Claims Court — resolves minor civil disputes involving limited monetary amounts
- Traffic Court — adjudicates traffic violations and related infractions
Records generated by these courts span civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 61.870–61.884, public agencies — including courts — are required to make public records available for inspection, establishing the statutory foundation for access to court documentation in the Commonwealth.
Are Court Records Public In Graves County
Court records in Graves County are presumptively open to the public under Kentucky law. The Kentucky Open Records Act, codified at KRS § 61.870 et seq., establishes that all public records are subject to inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This presumption of openness extends to judicial records maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Final judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from proceedings in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky — the federal court with jurisdiction over Graves County — are maintained separately through the federal PACER system and are governed by federal rules rather than Kentucky's Open Records Act.
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under current law. These include juvenile records, adoption proceedings, mental health commitments, records sealed by court order, and portions of domestic violence cases where confidentiality is mandated. The Kentucky Supreme Court has also issued administrative rules governing access to electronic court records, which supplement the statutory framework and guide the Circuit Court Clerk's office in responding to inspection requests.
Members of the public seeking to inspect court records may visit the Graves County Circuit Court Clerk during regular business hours or submit a written request pursuant to the Open Records Act.
How To Find Court Records in Graves County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain court records in Graves County through several official channels. The primary custodian of trial court records is the Circuit Court Clerk, whose office maintains files for both Circuit and District Court proceedings.
In-Person Requests
Members of the public may inspect records directly at the Circuit Court Clerk's office located in the Graves County Judicial Center. Staff are available during public counter hours to assist with record searches. Requestors should provide the full case number, party names, or approximate filing date to facilitate retrieval.
Written Open Records Requests
Pursuant to KRS § 61.880, any person may submit a written request to inspect or obtain copies of public records. The request must be directed to the official custodian of the records and must describe the records sought with sufficient specificity. The agency is required to respond within five business days. A standardized request to inspect public records form is available through the Graves County Clerk's office.
Online Access
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides electronic access to certain court records through its eCourts portal. Requestors may search case information by party name, case number, or filing date without visiting the courthouse in person.
Fees
Copying fees apply to reproduced records. The current fee schedule is published on the Graves County Clerk records page. Inspection of records in person, without reproduction, is generally available at no charge under the Open Records Act.
How To Look Up Court Records in Graves County Online?
Several online portals currently provide access to Graves County court records, depending on the type of proceeding and the court involved.
Kentucky Court of Justice — eCourts Portal
The Kentucky Court of Justice maintains a statewide case management system that allows members of the public to search Circuit and District Court records online. The portal includes:
- Civil case dockets and filing histories
- Criminal case information following formal charging
- Traffic case records
- Judgment and order information
To search using the portal:
- Navigate to the Kentucky Court of Justice website
- Select the case search function
- Enter the county (Graves), party name, or case number
- Review the returned case summary and docket entries
- Note the case number for any in-person or written follow-up requests
Graves County Clerk — Online Land Records
For property-related court matters, including judgment liens recorded against real property, the online land records system maintained by the Graves County Clerk provides registered users with remote access to archived county clerk records through the ECCLIX platform. An internet-ready device and printer are required for registered users to view or print documents.
Federal Court Records — PACER
Records from federal proceedings involving Graves County parties are accessible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, administered by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. PACER charges per-page fees for document retrieval.
How To Search Graves County Court Records for Free?
State law currently guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public records at no cost. Under KRS § 61.874, public agencies may charge only for the actual cost of reproduction; the act of inspection itself does not carry a fee. This means that individuals who wish to review court records in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office may do so without incurring charges, provided they do not request copies.
The following options are available for free record searches:
- In-person inspection at the Graves County Circuit Court Clerk's office — no fee for viewing records on-site
- Kentucky Court of Justice case search — the public-facing case search function on the statewide eCourts portal provides basic case information at no charge
- Docket sheet review — docket sheets summarizing case activity are generally available for inspection without a copying fee
Fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested. The current schedule of recording and copying fees is published by the Graves County Clerk. Requestors seeking to minimize costs are advised to review records in person before requesting reproductions.
What's Included in a Graves County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally encompass all documents filed with and generated by the court during the course of a proceeding.
Civil Court Records include:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment
- Post-judgment filings, including appeals notices
Criminal Court Records include:
- Arrest warrant or citation
- Charging document (indictment, information, or complaint)
- Arraignment records
- Bail and bond documentation
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
- Expungement orders, where applicable
Family Court Records include:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Child custody and support orders
- Domestic violence protective orders (subject to confidentiality restrictions)
- Adoption decrees (generally sealed)
- Paternity determinations
Probate Court Records include:
- Will and testament filings
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Inventory and appraisement of estate assets
- Final settlement and distribution orders
- Guardianship and conservatorship appointments
Traffic Court Records include:
- Citation information
- Plea and disposition records
- Fine payment records
- License suspension orders
How Long Does Graves County Keep Court Records?
Graves County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives and applicable court rules. Retention periods vary by record type and court level.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of five years following case closure
- Civil case files — retained for a minimum of five years following final disposition; complex or significant cases may be retained permanently
- Probate records — retained permanently, as they establish legal title to property and family legal status
- Juvenile records — subject to special retention and confidentiality rules; generally sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood
- Traffic case records — retained for a minimum of three years
- Court orders and judgments — retained permanently as part of the official court record
The Kentucky Court of Justice and the Department for Libraries and Archives jointly administer the records retention program for state courts. Agencies are required to follow approved schedules and may not destroy records ahead of schedule without authorization. Members of the public seeking records from older proceedings are advised to contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office directly to confirm availability.
Types of Courts In Graves County
Graves County is served by a two-tier trial court system under the Kentucky Court of Justice, consisting of the Circuit Court and the District Court. Both courts operate within the Graves County Judicial Center in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Graves County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction for Graves County and handles the most serious civil and criminal matters. It also serves as the appellate court for District Court decisions.
Graves County Circuit Court Clerk
101 East South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066
(270) 247-1754
Graves — Kentucky Court of Justice
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Graves County District Court
The District Court handles misdemeanor criminal matters, small claims, traffic cases, probate proceedings, and civil cases within its jurisdictional monetary limit.
Graves County District Court
101 East South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066
(270) 247-1754
Graves — Kentucky Court of Justice
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Graves County Clerk
1102 Paris Road, Mayfield, KY 42066
(270) 247-1676
Graves County Clerk
The court hierarchy in Kentucky proceeds as follows: District Court → Circuit Court → Kentucky Court of Appeals → Kentucky Supreme Court. Appeals from District Court decisions are heard by the Circuit Court. Appeals from Circuit Court decisions proceed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, with discretionary review available from the Kentucky Supreme Court.
What Types of Cases Do Graves County Courts Hear?
Each court within Graves County's judicial structure has defined subject matter jurisdiction governing the types of cases it may hear.
Graves County Circuit Court hears:
- Felony criminal prosecutions (Class A, B, C, and D felonies)
- Civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000
- Family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and adoption
- Domestic violence proceedings
- Juvenile matters (dependency, neglect, abuse, and status offenses)
- Appeals from District Court decisions
Graves County District Court hears:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases and violations
- Civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000
- Small claims matters (currently up to $2,500)
- Traffic and motor vehicle infractions
- Probate matters, including will probate and estate administration
- Voluntary and involuntary mental health commitments
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases prior to Circuit Court transfer
Family Court Division (operating within the Circuit Court structure) specifically addresses:
- Dissolution of marriage
- Child support and custody modifications
- Termination of parental rights
- Domestic violence protective orders
How To Find a Court Docket In Graves County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a given case. Members of the public may access Graves County court dockets through the following methods.
Online Docket Search — Kentucky Court of Justice
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a public-facing case search tool that returns docket information for Circuit and District Court cases statewide. Users may search by:
- Party name (plaintiff or defendant)
- Case number
- Attorney name
- Filing date range
The search returns a case summary including the docket sheet, which lists all filings and court actions in chronological order.
In-Person Docket Review
Members of the public may review docket sheets in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office located at the Graves County Judicial Center, 101 East South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066. Staff can retrieve docket information using a case number or party name. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Written Request
Docket sheets may be requested in writing pursuant to the Kentucky Open Records Act. Requests should be directed to the Circuit Court Clerk and must describe the case with sufficient specificity to allow retrieval.
Which Courts in Graves County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and capable of being reviewed on appeal. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings, and their decisions are generally subject to a trial de novo — meaning the case is reheard from the beginning — rather than appellate review based on a written record.
Under Kentucky law, the distinction between courts of record and courts not of record is governed by KRS § 23A.010 and related provisions of the Kentucky Constitution. The Circuit Court is expressly designated as a court of record. The District Court is also a court of record under current Kentucky law, meaning its proceedings are documented and subject to appellate review by the Circuit Court.
At present, Graves County does not operate a separate municipal court or justice of the peace court. Kentucky abolished its justice of the peace courts and consolidated judicial functions into the unified court system established by the Judicial Article of the Kentucky Constitution (Section 109 et seq.), effective in 1978. As a result, all trial-level courts currently operating in Graves County — the Circuit Court and the District Court — are courts of record.
Informal dispute resolution bodies, administrative hearing officers, and certain quasi-judicial boards operating at the county or municipal level are not courts of record and do not generate court records subject to the same access rules as judicial proceedings.