A Dismissed Case
KRS 431.076 — an acquittal or a dismissal with prejudice is expunged automatically after 30 days
When a court acquits a person, or dismisses all charges in a case with prejudice and not in exchange for a guilty plea to something else, it orders the record expunged after 30 days unless the person objects. The person does not have to do anything.
- A person acquitted or dismissed whose records were not expunged that way may petition the court that disposed of the charges.
- A person whose felony charges in District Court never led to an indictment or information may petition that District Court to dismiss and expunge them.
- A traffic infraction not classed as a misdemeanor is not a criminal charge for this purpose.
Expungement is the removal or deletion of records by the court and other agencies so the matter does not appear on official state background checks.
Sources for this section (2)
- KRS 431.076 — Expungement of criminal records for those acquitted of crimes, for whom charges have been dismissed but not in exchange for a guilty plea to another charge, or against whom charges have not resulted in an indictment or an information filed by the Commonwealth's attorney -- Effects of an order of expungement -- Expungement by court or upon petition of person charged -- Exception for records in the custody of the Department for Community Based Services
- KRS 431.079 — Petition or application seeking expungement to include certification of eligibility for expungement from Department of Kentucky State Police and Administrative Office of the Courts -- Administrative regulations -- Construction
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Kentucky attorney.