McCracken County, Kentucky court records are available through several channels. McCrackenCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official resources of the Kentucky Court of Justice, directly at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the courthouse, and through public terminals installed in the courthouse.
McCracken Court System & Jurisdictions
There are two main levels of courts operating in McCracken County, each handling different categories of cases.
Circuit Court
This is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil claims over $5,000, divorce and child custody cases, as well as appeals from the District Court. The McCracken page on the Kentucky Court of Justice website contains contact information for the Circuit Court Clerk, who maintains the case register for this court.
District Court
The District Court handles:
- Misdemeanors (minor criminal offenses)
- Traffic violations
- Civil claims up to $5,000, including small claims
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Probation violation cases
Probate matters — the legal process of distributing a deceased person's estate — are also handled through the District Court in Kentucky. Juvenile cases are handled separately and are generally closed to public access.
If you are unsure which court your case belongs to, contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office — they will help determine the correct jurisdiction.
County Attorney's Office
The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office represents the state in criminal cases in the Circuit Court. A Victim Advocate is also available here to provide information about the progress of a criminal case.
McCracken Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, and the current week can be found in several ways.
- Call the Circuit Court Clerk's office. This is the quickest way to find out the exact date and time of a specific case hearing. Contact information is available on the McCracken County page on the Kentucky Court of Justice website.
- Visit the courthouse in person. The hearing schedule is usually posted near the courtrooms on the first floor of the McCracken County Courthouse.
- Online Kentucky Court of Justice system. The CourtNet 2.0 portal, available through the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, allows you to check information on scheduled hearings. Access to CourtNet may be limited — some features are open only to registered users (attorneys, parties to the case).
Note: McCracken County Fiscal Court meetings take place in Room D on the first floor of the courthouse, but this is an administrative body, not a court — do not confuse it with the Circuit or District Court schedule.
How to Get a Copy of a McCracken Court Document
Copies of court documents are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office. There are two types of copies:
- Regular copy (uncertified) — suitable for personal review.
- Certified copy — has the clerk's seal and legal force. Required for submission to other institutions, banks, employers.
Methods of obtaining
In person: visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and an approximate date.
By mail: send a written request to the address above. Include the case number, type of document, number of copies, and payment (check or money order payable to the Circuit Court Clerk).
Through the court records request portal: The Kentucky Court of Justice explains that each Circuit Court Clerk's office is the starting point for obtaining copies. The Administrative Office of the Courts does not store case materials — you need to contact the clerk of the county where the case was heard.
For documents not related to court cases — such as property records, liens, or marriage licenses — contact the County Clerk's office. Through the eCCLIX system, you can view and print documents filed with the County Clerk's office.
Access restrictions
Not all records are open. Juvenile cases, some family cases, sealed verdicts, and grand jury materials are usually closed. If you are unsure whether a specific document is public, ask the clerk.
McCracken Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Kentucky are set by state law (KRS 30A.100 and related statutes). Below are approximate rates — check with the clerk for the exact amount, as some fees are periodically reviewed.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy | $5.00 (may include the first few pages) |
| Case register search (by name) | Depends on the type of request; check with the clerk |
| Notarial certification | According to state rates |
Payment is accepted in person at the clerk's office. For mail requests, a check or money order is usually required. The availability of credit card payments depends on the specific office — check by phone.
For state-level criminal history checks, the Kentucky State Police offers a separate fingerprint procedure. This is not the same as requesting court documents from the county clerk. Inmate information can be checked through the Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) system, which allows searching by last name and filtering results by county.