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Rap Sheet

NCJ Number
166722
Journal
Advocate Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1996) Pages: 24-28
Author(s)
M Ransdell
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Criminal records are discussed in terms of the types of records available and the Kentucky laws that govern what information may be removed and upon what conditions it may be removed.
Abstract
Computerized State criminal records checks can be procured from many sources, including the FBI, Administrative Office of the Courts, Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Police Department. The official repository and primary source for criminal records is the Clerk of the Court in which the proceeding occurs. Both Federal and Kentucky courts allow access to these court records by anyone making a specific request. The Administrative Office of the Courts maintains Courtnet, a computerized recordkeeping system for all Kentucky Courts. Law enforcement agencies n the larger communities are likely to have the capability to print out local rap sheets. Whether these records can be released to the public or only to the individual in the record appears to vary widely from place to place. Incomplete records or obvious errors in a person's electronic rap sheet can be corrected by providing attested copies of the official court document to the agency promulgating the record. State laws govern the deletion or separation of matters by an order of expungement, segregation, or voiding. Attorneys should ensure that the records are correct and that the proper expungement or segregation motion follows every dismissal or acquittal.