District judges take misdemeanors, tickets and youth matters, and they open every felony. Felonies are tried in Circuit Court after a grand jury of 12 indicts with at least 9 votes. Circuit judges hear appeals from District Court too. Both courts work out of the annex.

Search KYeCourts public search or phone the clerk at 270-365-6884. Double-check the day before, as dates can shift. The clerk's office is open 8 to 4 on weekdays. Arrive early for security. If you can't attend, call right away, since a no-show can bring a warrant.

Judges here sign the warrants and the sheriff serves them, and the office at 270-365-2088 can confirm whether one is on file. Court cases statewide are free to read on the KYeCourts guest login; a name with Caldwell selected brings up any open district or circuit case and the date of its next hearing.

The usual route is surrendering at the Caldwell County Jail, ideally once a lawyer has raised bond. If the warrant traces to a missed hearing, the circuit clerk in the courthouse at 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445, can explain the next step; call 270-365-6884.

Fines and costs can be paid with cash, a check, a money order or ePay; bond is cash only. If you need more time to pay, ask the judge at sentencing about installments. Our bail page covers bond.

A Caldwell case begins with booking at the Caldwell County Jail, followed by pretrial screening and a release ruling (bail guide). The defendant is arraigned before a District judge. Felonies get a preliminary hearing within 10 days for people in jail and 20 days for those who are out, and an indictment by the grand jury sends the case up to Circuit Court.

Princeton police and Dawson Springs police work inside their cities. The sheriff (270-365-2088) covers the county, and Kentucky State Police Post 2 also patrols. Everyone arrested is booked at the Caldwell County Jail. Numbers are in our inmate guide.

The county attorney in Princeton (100 East Market Street, Room 14, Princeton, KY 42445 (270-365-5613)) handles misdemeanors, juvenile cases and every felony until a grand jury acts. From there, the Commonwealth's Attorney in Eddyville (248 Commerce Street, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270-388-9494)) tries indicted felonies for all four counties in the circuit.

Caldwell's circuit clerk (270-365-6884) can confirm a charge's class. Class A misdemeanors are capped at 12 months in jail and $500, Class B at 90 days and $250 (KRS 532.090). Violations carry a $250 fine at most, and no jail; a poor defendant can ask the court to waive it (KRS 534.040). Felony terms run 1 to 5 years for Class D, 5 to 10 for Class C, 10 to 20 for Class B, and 20 to 50 years or life for Class A (KRS 532.060).

Basic public case information is on KYeCourts public search. Order certified copies using the records request instructions or by calling 270-365-6884. Juvenile and sealed records are not released. Ask the sheriff (270-365-2088) or a defense attorney about warrants.

At arraignment you must swear to a statement of your income and assets. If you qualify, the judge appoints the Princeton Trial Office of the Department of Public Advocacy (105 S. Jefferson St., Princeton, KY 42445; 833-514-8982), which is in Princeton. Call with your case number to get your lawyer's name and set up a meeting.

At the Caldwell County Jail in Princeton, phone 270-365-6790. Our guides explain calls, mail, visiting, email, money and commissary. Check the jail's rules before you send anything.

Caldwell's federal cases are heard in Paducah at the U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky, 501 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001, 270-415-6400. There, a magistrate judge settles custody at a detention hearing. People held go into Marshals custody at contract jails. After sentencing, federal prisoners can be searched in the Bureau of Prisons locator.

Some convictions can result in removal or end a path to a green card. Get an immigration lawyer's opinion before saying yes to a plea. ICE may also file a detainer asking the Princeton jail to hold a Caldwell defendant up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released, the window 8 CFR 287.7(d) allows. The ICE locator lists people ICE detains.

Victims can call the county attorney (100 East Market Street, Room 14, Princeton, KY 42445 (270-365-5613)) or Commonwealth's Attorney (248 Commerce Street, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270-388-9494)) for help with protective orders, hearing schedules or giving the judge a victim statement. VINELink provides free custody alerts. Save bills and receipts for any restitution claim.

Look the person up in the KOOL inmate lookup. State inmates may be in a prison or a county jail that holds state inmates. Phone numbers are on our Kentucky prison directory. New transfers may not appear right away.