Step-by-step guides to the Kentucky criminal court process — from arrest and arraignment through preliminary hearings, grand jury proceedings, trial, and sentencing. Understand what to expect at each stage of your case.
Getting a call from your probation officer, an unexpected arrest warrant, or a notice to appear for a violation hearing can feel like the floor dropping out from under you. You worked hard to stay out of jail, and now it seems like everything could unravel over one mistake. Take a breath. A Kentucky probation … Read more
Kentucky Horse Industry Legal Issues: Fraud and Criminal Liability Kentucky is the undisputed capital of the thoroughbred horse industry. With world-famous farms in the Lexington Bluegrass region, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Keeneland Race Course, and billions of dollars in annual economic activity, the horse industry is central to the Commonwealth’s identity and economy. But where … Read more
Pretrial motions are the battleground of modern criminal defense. Much of what determines the outcome of a Kentucky criminal case happens before trial through written motions and hearings. Clark + Harris aggressively uses pretrial motion practice to shape cases in favor of our clients in courts across Kentucky, including Lexington, Louisville, and every jurisdiction in … Read more
Can Kentucky Police Search My Phone? Your cell phone contains your entire life — text messages, photos, emails, browsing history, location data, social media accounts, financial information, and more. If Kentucky police seize your phone during an arrest or encounter, can they search through its contents? The answer, thanks to a landmark United States Supreme … Read more
Can a Kentucky Juvenile Record Be Sealed? If you or your child was adjudicated delinquent (the juvenile equivalent of being convicted) in Kentucky’s juvenile court system, you may be concerned about the long-term impact of that record. Unlike the adult criminal system, Kentucky’s juvenile justice system is designed with rehabilitation in mind, and the law … Read more
Kentucky Pretrial Diversion Doesn’t Always Save Non-Citizens One of the most common misconceptions in non-citizen criminal defense is that pretrial diversion automatically avoids immigration consequences. In fact, Kentucky’s pretrial diversion programs under KRS 533.250 can sometimes create an immigration “conviction” under federal law, even when the state case is ultimately dismissed. Understanding when diversion helps … Read more
Kentucky County Fair Season: Common Criminal Charges County fair season in Kentucky is a beloved tradition. From the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville to smaller county fairs across the Commonwealth’s 120 counties, these events bring communities together for livestock shows, carnival rides, live music, and celebration. They also bring a predictable spike in certain criminal … Read more
Entrapment is one of the most frequently misunderstood defenses in criminal law. It is not a free pass for anyone who commits a crime in response to police involvement — but when properly raised, it can be a powerful defense that results in acquittal. Clark + Harris represents clients raising entrapment defenses in courts across … Read more
What Is Deferred Prosecution in Kentucky? Deferred prosecution is one of the most valuable tools available to criminal defendants in Kentucky. Also known as pretrial diversion, this program allows eligible defendants to avoid a criminal conviction by completing specified conditions over a set period. If the conditions are met, the charges are dismissed. If not, … Read more
Kentucky Holiday DUI: What to Know About Thanksgiving Through New Year’s The holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day is one of the most dangerous periods on Kentucky roads — and one of the most active for DUI enforcement. Law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth, from Lexington and Louisville to small towns and rural … Read more