Franklin County
Created in 1795 from sections of Mercer, Woodford, and Shelby Counties, Franklin County is located in North Kentucky. It is home to more than 51,000 residents and the state's capital, Frankfort, which is also the county seat. Franklin County was named for Benjamin Franklin.
The Franklin County trial court system encompasses a circuit court, a family court, and a district court. The Franklin County Circuit Court, which is a general jurisdiction court, is the apex trial county court. It adjudicates various cases, including felonies, capital crimes, land property title disputes, contested probate suits, and civil cases for amounts in controversy exceeding $5,000. In addition, Circuit Court Judges hear appeals from the District Court and administrative agencies and issue injunctions, writs of mandamus, and prohibitions.
The Family Court is a Circuit Court division with primary jurisdiction over cases relating to family and children, including divorce, parental rights termination, adoption, and child support/custody. It also shares concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court over certain domestic relations cases, including domestic violence and abuse, juvenile status offenses, and child neglect and dependency.
The Franklin County District Court exercises limited jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including civil claims up to $5,000, misdemeanors, probate matters, county and city ordinances, and traffic violations. It also handles small claims for up to $2,500, initial felony hearings, and mental health commitments.
Franklin County court records are official records of legal proceedings in county courts. They guarantee judicial transparency and increase citizens' confidence in the legal system. Typically, court records contain court summons, motions, case parties' details, and judgments. The Franklin County court repository houses several records, including:
- Criminal records
- Probate records
- Civil records
- Family Court records
The Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk oversees all court records, including the Circuit and District court records. Non-confidential records, according to state laws, are open to public examination and copying. To obtain hardcopy court records, requesters can submit in-person record requests at the Circuit Clerk's Office during business hours.
Additionally, record seekers can use the Kentucky Court of Justice's KYeCourt portal to access public case information online for free. Older court records 15-35 years old can be obtained from the State Records Center via email or phone requests, while records over 36 years can, similarly, be requested by email or phone call from the Kentucky Department for Library and Archives (KDLA).
