Mercer County Court and Criminal Records
Mercer County sits in the heart of the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky with Harrodsburg as its county seat. The 11th Judicial Circuit serves Mercer County and hears all criminal cases filed within its bounds. Court records from arraignments through sentencing are kept at the Mercer County courthouse. The Mercer County Clerk maintains these records and makes them open to the public. You can request copies of case files, dockets, and judgments by visiting the clerk office or using online tools.
Mercer County Quick Facts
Mercer County Circuit Court
The Mercer County Circuit Court is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Kentucky. This court hears all felony criminal cases, civil suits over certain dollar amounts, and appeals from lower courts. The Circuit Clerk is the keeper of all court records for cases heard in this court. When you need copies of indictments, motions, or judgments from felony cases, you contact this office.
The court holds sessions in Harrodsburg at the Mercer County Judicial Center. You can visit during business hours to request record searches and obtain copies of documents. The staff can help you locate cases by defendant name or case number. Some records may date back many years and are kept in storage.
| Office | Mercer County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
134 S Main Street Harrodsburg, KY 40330 |
| Phone | (859) 733-4350 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kycourts.gov/Mercer |
Mercer County District Court
Mercer County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and civil matters with lower dollar amounts. This court also conducts preliminary hearings for felony cases before they move to Circuit Court. Records from District Court are kept by the Circuit Clerk as well.
You can search District Court records for misdemeanors such as petty theft, DUI, simple assault, and minor drug possession charges. These records show the charges filed, court dates, plea entries, and final dispositions. Warrants and protective orders are also part of the District Court record.
How to Search Mercer County Criminal Records
You have several options to search for criminal records in Mercer County. You can use online databases, visit the clerk office in person, or submit a written request. Each method has its benefits depending on what you need and how far back the records go.
Kentucky CourtNet 2.0 is the statewide system for court records. It covers all 120 counties including Mercer. You can search by name or case number to find basic case information. To use CourtNet, you need an account with the Administrative Office of the Courts. Visit kcoj.kycourts.net to sign up.
To search records in person, visit the Mercer County Circuit Clerk at 134 S Main Street in Harrodsburg. Bring a valid photo ID and the name of the person you are searching for. Staff can help you find cases and make copies of documents. Fees apply for copies and certified copies.
You will need the following to search:
- Full name of the defendant
- Approximate date of the offense or case
- Case number if you have it
Mercer County Clerk Records Requests
The Mercer County Clerk handles requests for many types of public records. This includes deeds, marriage licenses, and other documents. For criminal court records, you work with the Circuit Clerk. For other record needs, the County Clerk can assist.
The County Clerk office is at 207 W Lexington Street in Harrodsburg. You can call (859) 734-6310 for general questions. The website at mercercountyclerk.ky.gov has forms and information about requesting records.
Public records requests under the Kentucky Open Records Act can be made to either clerk office. You should put your request in writing and specify the records you want. The office has three business days to respond. Some records may be exempt from disclosure by law.
Types of Criminal Records in Mercer County
Criminal records in Mercer County come in several forms. Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody. Court records show the charges, hearings, and outcomes. Jail records show time served. Each type of record is kept by a different office.
Indictments are formal charges issued by a grand jury. These are filed with the Circuit Court and become part of the permanent record. Arraignment records show when the defendant was informed of charges and entered a plea. Trial records include testimony, evidence, and verdicts.
Sentencing records show the punishment ordered by the court. This may include jail time, fines, probation, or community service. Probation records are maintained by the Department of Corrections but may be referenced in court files.
Common records you can request include:
- Case files and dockets
- Indictments and informations
- Judgments and sentencing orders
- Warrants and capias orders
- Protective orders
Background Checks in Mercer County
A background check may require searching multiple sources in Mercer County. For a complete history, you should check both Circuit and District Court records. You may also need to check records in other counties if the person lived elsewhere.
Kentucky State Police offer statewide criminal background checks through their AOCFastCheck system. This is useful for getting a comprehensive report. Visit the Kentucky State Police website to learn more about statewide checks.
Local background checks focus on Mercer County only. These are done through the clerk office. You can request a search of court records for a specific person. The clerk will search their system and provide copies of any cases found.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Mercer County and may have related records. If a crime occurred near county lines or if a person has lived in multiple counties, you may need to search in more than one place.