District Court takes traffic tickets, misdemeanors, youth cases and the early stages of every felony, including bond and the preliminary hearing. Felonies advance once 9 of 12 grand jurors vote to indict. Circuit Court then handles the plea or trial and the sentence.

Type the person's name into KYeCourts public access to see charges, dates and the courtroom. You can also call the clerk at 859-292-6521, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring the case number when you go to the Justice Center, and allow time for the security screening at the door.

The county sheriff's office serves warrants from the local courts and keeps a current warrants page you can read before calling. Deputies answer questions at 859-392-1800. That page covers this county, so for a statewide look at court cases open the free KYeCourts guest login, where a party search shows open cases and missed dates.

A surrender at the Kenton County Detention Center clears most warrants, more smoothly when counsel has already taken up bond. After a missed hearing, the circuit clerk at 230 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41011, answers at 859-292-6521.

The circuit clerk keeps the case files and takes bond, fine and cost payments. It accepts cash, checks, money orders and cards (surcharge added), and ePay works online for many cases. Bond refunds stop at 3:30 p.m. Our bail page walks through the steps of posting bond.

Booking at the detention center on Decker Crane Lane is followed by a pretrial risk review and a release decision (bail guide). Kenton District Court holds the first appearance. In a Covington felony case the preliminary hearing comes within 10 days for a jailed defendant or 20 for one who is out, and Kenton grand jurors then choose whether to send it to Circuit Court for plea or trial.

Fifteen city police departments, the sheriff's office (859-392-1800) and state troopers from Kentucky State Police Post 6, 4265 U.S. Highway 25, Dry Ridge, KY 41035, 859-428-1212 all bring people to the same jail. The last section of our inmate guide lists every department with its phone.

The Kenton County Attorney, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Suite 4200, Covington, KY 41011 (859-491-0600), handles misdemeanors, youth cases and the start of felonies. After indictment, the 16th Circuit Commonwealth's Attorney, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Suite 2300, Covington, KY 41011 (859-292-6580), takes the case. Crime victims can ask either office for a victim advocate.

Kenton judges at the Madison Avenue justice center hand down sentences inside limits set for each class. The Covington judges can give up to 12 months and $500 for Class A misdemeanors, and a maximum of 90 days and $250 for Class B (KRS 532.090). A violation carries a fine up to $250 that can be waived for people too poor to pay (KRS 534.040). Felony terms begin at 1 to 5 years for Class D and reach 20 to 50 years or life for Class A (KRS 532.060).

Ask the clerk at the Justice Center for copies, and use the records request help page for forms and fees. Juvenile and sealed files are closed. For warrant questions, ring the Kenton County Sheriff's Office at 859-392-1800; spell the name and offer a date of birth.

When you first appear, say that a lawyer is beyond your budget and complete the short affidavit. If you qualify, the court appoints the Covington Trial Office of the public defender (333 Scott Street, Suite 400, Covington, KY 41011; 833-385-6054). The office handles both District and Circuit cases and can help with bond motions and diversion.

Anyone not released stays at the Kenton County Detention Center, 3000 Decker Crane Lane, Covington, KY 41017, 859-363-2400 (Alternative number: 859-363-2430), and is driven to the Justice Center for hearings. Relatives can stay in touch through phone time, postcards, video visits and messages, and can add money for commissary.

Covington is home to both the federal court and the U.S. Marshals for Kenton County. Federal charges are filed with the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, 35 West Fifth Street, Covington, KY 41011, 859-392-7925, and the Marshals office in Covington answers at 859-392-7918. At the first appearance before a magistrate judge, prosecutors may request a detention hearing within a few days. The Marshals keep custody and often use local jails, including this one. After a federal prison sentence, search the federal prison locator.

An ICE hold sits outside the local case and asks Covington to keep a Kenton detainee up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released, as 8 CFR 287.7(d) provides. A guilty plea can carry serious immigration effects, so non-citizens should have a lawyer explain them first. Check transfers with the ICE finder.

People sentenced to state time are first sent to a reception center to be classified. The Department of Corrections then assigns a prison by security level, and certain low-level felons stay local. Track moves in the KOOL lookup and read our prisons in Kentucky.