In Jessamine, District Court rules on misdemeanors, traffic, youth and the first hearings in felony cases. A grand jury hears felony evidence, and 9 of the 12 must agree to indict. Circuit Court takes indicted cases to trial or plea and decides the sentence. Both courts sit in the Court Complex on North Main Street.

Go to KYeCourts public access or phone the clerk at 859-885-4531. Look again the day before, because schedules move and paper notices can arrive late. Security at the Court Complex on North Main takes time, and showing up late can count as missing court. Keep the case number handy when you call.

Serving warrants for the local courts falls to the sheriff; call 859-887-5317 to check a name. Families from the county seat to Wilmore can also turn to the free KYeCourts guest login, Kentucky's statewide court record, where a party search narrowed to Jessamine shows open cases and an active-cases filter hides closed ones.

Most warrants are closed out with a surrender at the Jessamine County Detention Center after counsel has had a chance to raise bond. The circuit clerk's office at 107 N. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356, answers at 859-885-4531 and can say what comes after a missed hearing.

The clerk's office in the Jessamine County Court Complex, 107 North Main Street, Nicholasville, KY 40356 collects fines and costs. Ask about a payment plan if you cannot pay at once. For release, see our bail page.

Everyone is first booked at the jail on East Maple Street, and a pretrial interview and a decision on release follow (bail guide). A Nicholasville District judge then handles arraignment. Felony defendants get a preliminary hearing within 10 days if they are in jail or 20 if they are out, and after the grand jury acts, the case moves to Circuit Court.

Sheriff's deputies (859-885-4139), Post 7 troopers, and Nicholasville and Wilmore police. Every arrest goes to the East Maple Street jail. See the police list in our inmate guide.

The Jessamine County Attorney, at 117 South Main Street, Suite 100, Nicholasville, KY 40356, 859-885-3425, prosecutes misdemeanors, juvenile cases and pre-indictment felonies. After indictment, the 13th Circuit Commonwealth's Attorney, at 104 Richmond Avenue, Nicholasville, KY 40356, 859-887-2722, leads the case through trial or plea in Circuit Court.

Jessamine judges in Nicholasville sentence within the limits for each class, and the clerks can tell you how a charge is classed (circuit 859-885-4531, district 859-887-1005). A Class A misdemeanor brings 12 months or less and a fine up to $500, and a Class B misdemeanor brings 90 days or less and a fine up to $250 (KRS 532.090). Violations carry fines of $250 at most, which the court may waive for those who cannot pay (KRS 534.040). Felony prison terms are 1 to 5 years for D, 5 to 10 for C, 10 to 20 for B, and 20 to 50 or life for A (KRS 532.060).

The records request help page explains the process; the clerk on North Main can help too. Juvenile and sealed records are not public. For warrant questions call the sheriff at 859-885-4139, or let a lawyer ask for you.

The Nicholasville Trial Office of the public defender (109 South 2nd Street, Nicholasville, KY 40356-1554; 833-514-8978) handles cases for those who qualify. The judge looks at income and household at arraignment. Ask right away; the defender can fight for release, get the police reports, and start preparing for the preliminary hearing.

At the Jessamine County Detention Center, 229 East Maple Street, Nicholasville, KY 40356, phone 859-885-4558. Our guides explain calls, mail, visits, messages and deposits for commissary. The roster shows bonds.

Jessamine federal cases are filed at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, 101 Barr Street, Lexington, KY 40507, 859-233-2503. A magistrate judge holds a detention hearing to decide custody, and the U.S. Marshals keep detained defendants. After a sentence, check the federal prison locator.

An ICE hold stands apart from the county charges and asks Nicholasville to keep a Jessamine inmate up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released. A guilty plea can hurt immigration status. Have an immigration attorney weigh in on any deal before it is accepted in a Jessamine courtroom. See the ICE finder.

Either prosecutor's office can answer a victim's questions about court dates and protective orders. Victims can register with VINELink for alerts when a defendant is released or moved.

After an intake review, Corrections picks a prison based on security level, health and programs. Some Class D felons remain in a county jail for their sentence. Use the KOOL lookup to find a person, or our prisons in Kentucky for prison contacts. A sentenced person may stay at East Maple Street for a while before moving.