Court records in Daviess County, Kentucky, are maintained by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. DaviessCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Daviess County. You can also search records through the Kentucky Court of Justice website, visit the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk's office, or contact other state and county government agencies for related documents.
Daviess Court System Overview
Daviess County is part of Kentucky's 6th Judicial Circuit, which serves Daviess County exclusively. The county seat is Owensboro, where both Circuit Court and District Court operate. In Kentucky's unified court system, Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction, while District Court handles matters of limited jurisdiction. Daviess County also has a Family Court division, which is a division of Circuit Court with jurisdiction over cases involving families and children. The Circuit Court Clerk's office manages records for all of these courts.
Daviess County Judicial Center
Courts Serving Daviess County
Several state and federal courts serve Daviess County residents. Below are the primary courts and their contact information.
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Daviess Circuit Court (6th Judicial Circuit) | 100 E. Second Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 | (270) 685-8434 |
| Daviess District Court | 100 E. Second Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 | (270) 685-8434 |
| Daviess Family Court (Division of Circuit Court) | 100 E. Second Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 | (270) 685-8434 |
| U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky (Owensboro Division) | 423 Frederica Street, Room 126, Owensboro, KY 42301 | (270) 689-4400 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Kentucky | 327 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202 (main office) | (502) 627-5700 |
| Owensboro Municipal Court (City of Owensboro) | 101 E. Fourth Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 | (270) 687-8500 |
What Types of Cases Daviess County Courts Hear
Courts in Daviess County handle a wide range of case types across Circuit, Family, and District Court divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, violations, DUI
- Traffic: Moving violations, license-related offenses
- Civil: Lawsuits of all dollar amounts, small claims
- Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, termination of parental rights
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters
- Juvenile: Delinquency, status offenses, dependency/neglect/abuse
- Adoption
- Appeals: Appeals from District Court to Circuit Court
The sections below explain which court handles each category and how cases move through the system.
District Court Cases in Daviess County
Daviess District Court is the court of limited jurisdiction. It handles:
- Misdemeanors and violations
- Traffic offenses, including DUI arraignments and hearings
- Felony preliminary hearings (cases are then bound over to Circuit Court if probable cause is found)
- Civil cases with amounts in controversy up to $5,000
- Small claims (up to $2,500)
- City and county ordinance violations
- Juvenile matters, including dependency, neglect, abuse, and status offenses
Cases typically begin with a citation, complaint, or arrest. A District Judge is assigned, and the case proceeds through arraignment, pretrial conferences, and either trial or resolution. If a felony case establishes probable cause at the preliminary hearing stage, it is transferred to Circuit Court for further proceedings.
Magistrate Court Cases in Daviess County
Kentucky does not operate a separate magistrate court division in the same way some other states do. In Kentucky's court structure, District Court judges handle the functions that magistrate courts perform elsewhere — including misdemeanors, preliminary felony hearings, small claims up to $2,500, civil claims up to $5,000, traffic violations, and DUI cases. In Daviess County, District Court judges may be assigned to specific dockets based on volume, such as dedicated traffic or criminal dockets. Small claims cases follow simplified procedures and do not require an attorney. If you need to file a small claim or respond to a misdemeanor charge, start at the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk's office.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Daviess County
Family Law
Daviess County has a Family Court, which is a division of Circuit Court. Family Court handles divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, domestic violence protective orders (under KRS 403.715–403.785), and termination of parental rights. Marriage and divorce certificates can be obtained through the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics or the county clerk's office where the license was issued.
Probate
District Court handles probate matters in Daviess County, including decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust disputes. If you need to open an estate or petition for guardianship, file your petition with the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk.
Juvenile
Juvenile cases — including delinquency, status offenses, and child protective proceedings — are heard in District Court. Juvenile court records are confidential under Kentucky law (KRS Chapter 610) and are not available to the general public. Contact the clerk's office for questions about juvenile case access.
How Cases Move Through the Daviess County Court System
- Filing or initiation: A case begins with a criminal complaint, citation, civil complaint, or petition filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
- Assignment to a judge: The clerk assigns the case to a Circuit, Family, or District Court judge based on case type.
- Initial hearing: Criminal cases proceed to arraignment, where charges are read and a plea is entered. Civil cases receive a scheduling conference or initial case management order.
- Pre-trial phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and — in criminal cases — may negotiate plea agreements. In civil cases, mediation or settlement discussions may occur.
- Trial or resolution: Cases are resolved by plea agreement, jury or bench trial verdict, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing, probation, or appeal. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments or appeals to a higher court. Appeals from District Court go to Circuit Court; appeals from Circuit Court go to the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Daviess County
The courts in Daviess County are administered under the Kentucky Court of Justice, with an Administrative District Judge overseeing operations for the 6th Judicial Circuit. The Trial Court Administrator's office at the Daviess County Judicial Center handles day-to-day court management. For scheduling or administrative questions, call (270) 685-8434.
Local Rules
Local rules for the 6th Judicial Circuit govern practice before the Circuit, Family, and District Courts in Daviess County. These rules are available through the Kentucky Court of Justice website or by contacting the clerk's office.
Public Access to Records
Under Kentucky's Open Records Act (KRS 61.870–61.884) and court administrative procedures, most court case records are open to the public. Exceptions include:
- Juvenile records (confidential under KRS Chapter 610)
- Sealed or expunged records
- Certain family court records involving minors
- Grand jury proceedings
To request court records, contact the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk. Payment options include cash, money order, and personal checks from Daviess County residents.
Attending Hearings
Most hearings at the Daviess County Judicial Center are open to the public and held in person. Some proceedings may be conducted by video. Contact the clerk's office to confirm whether a specific hearing will be held in person or remotely.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Daviess County
- Court record requests: The Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk's office is the starting point for obtaining copies of case records from Circuit, Family, and District Court cases. You can also learn about the court records request process on the Kentucky Court of Justice website.
- CourtNet case search: The Kentucky Court of Justice offers CourtNet, an electronic case information system. Access may be available at the clerk's office or through a subscription.
- Criminal background checks: The Kentucky State Police background check program allows the public to obtain an adult criminal history record for $20 by check or money order.
- Offender lookup: The Kentucky Online Offender Lookup (KOOL) allows you to search for individuals currently incarcerated or under supervision by the Kentucky Department of Corrections, including those held at the Daviess County Detention Center.
- Expungement: Individuals seeking to have criminal records expunged can begin the process through the Kentucky Court of Justice expungement certification process or the Kentucky State Police expungement page.
- Marriage and divorce certificates: The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies of marriage and divorce records. Marriage licenses are issued through the Daviess County Clerk's office.
- Probation and parole: Daviess County falls within District 13 of the Kentucky Department of Corrections for probation and parole services.
- Sheriff's Office: The Daviess County Sheriff's Office handles service of process, tax collection, and other law enforcement functions at 212 Saint Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303. Phone: (270) 685-8444.
- Self-help resources: The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a self-help portal with court forms and guidance for people representing themselves. Visit the Kentucky Court of Justice website for forms, filing instructions, and court date information.