How to Read a Docket in Kentucky

A Kentucky docket provides a basic summary of court proceedings for the day. Kentucky's court docket format shows the location, time and basic information regarding the case. You may view the court docket before heading to the court house by accessing the Kentucky Court of Justice website (courts.ky.gov). You can also find a copy of the docket at the courthouse when you arrive. Reading a Kentucky document may confuse you, but with a little knowledge you can decipher a docket in no time.

Read the information next to the "Room" heading. This indicates the court type and location of the court room where the case takes place. For example, an FC indicates Family Court. "C1" indicates circuit court and the number indicates the court room.

Read More: What Is a Docket Number?

Observe the case number. Kentucky court case numbers have a nine-digit format with two numbers, two letters and five numbers, in that order. The first two numbers refer to the case year. The letters represent case type. For example, “CI” means circuit civil. “CR” represents a circuit criminal case. “PR” stands for probate, “F” means felony and “M” means misdemeanor. The computer generates the last set of numbers to complete the case number.

Read the docket case name. The case name refers to the plaintiffs and defendants in the case. “Commonwealth” stands for Kentucky. Observe the hearing type listed under the case number within a set of parentheses. Common hearings in Kentucky courts include pretrial conferences, motions and sentencing.

Locate the charges on the docket. The docket lists a seven-digit Kentucky Uniform Offense Report Code, known as a UOR code before the official charges. The Kentucky State Police assigns a unique UOR code to criminal offenses committed in Kentucky. Access the Kentucky State Police website to obtain a complete copy of code listings (kentuckystatepolice.org). UOR codes do not apply to civil cases.

Observe the numbers to the right of the charges. This number set refers to the citation number. The citation number consist of the year, control number and citation type. One digit represents the year. For example, a "9" represents 2009, "0" represents 2010 and "1" represents 2011. The control number begins with a letter followed by six numbers. The final number represents the citation type such as traffic, criminal or summons. If the defendant did not receive a citation, "NA" appears after the charge.

Related Articles