Arrest records are public in Kay County, Oklahoma, pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.31). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of Oklahoma citizens to access and review government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county. The Act specifically designates arrest records as public documents to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to uphold the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities. Members of the public may inspect these records during regular business hours at designated government facilities, subject to reasonable fees for reproduction services as permitted under § 24A.5(3) of the Act.
The Kay County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the unincorporated areas of the county, while municipal police departments maintain records for arrests within their respective jurisdictions. These agencies are required by law to provide reasonable access to these records, with certain statutory exceptions for ongoing investigations or records sealed by court order.
Kay County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by both governmental agencies and third-party providers. The Kay County Court Clerk's Office provides electronic access to court records, which often include information related to arrests. Additionally, the Ponca City Municipal Court maintains an online database of court cases, including those stemming from arrests within city limits.
The Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) provides a centralized database that includes Kay County court records. This system allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or filing date. However, it should be noted that pursuant to Oklahoma Administrative Rule 1.260, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still maintaining public accessibility to essential case information.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the following limitations:
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Kay County as of 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following procedures:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Kay County Sheriff's Office located at 301 S. Main St., Newkirk, OK 74647. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A valid government-issued photo identification must be presented, and applicable fees paid in accordance with the fee schedule established pursuant to § 24A.5(3) of the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
The Kay County Court Clerk's Office provides access to court records related to arrests at 201 S. Main St., Newkirk, OK 74647. The office can be reached at (580) 362-3350 for inquiries regarding record availability and retrieval procedures.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections Offender Lookup provides information on individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system following conviction. This resource includes data on current inmates and those released from custody.
For sex offender registration information related to arrests in Kay County, the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry maintains a searchable database in compliance with federal and state sex offender registration laws.
The Kay County Detention Center provides information about current detainees at (580) 362-3393. This facility is located at 1101 W. Dry Road, Newkirk, OK 74647.
Municipal arrest records may be accessed through the respective city police departments, such as the Ponca City Police Department at 200 E. Oklahoma Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601, telephone (580) 767-0370.
Kay County arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies operating within the county. These records are maintained in accordance with Oklahoma Statute Title 74, § 150.9, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information. A standard Kay County arrest record includes the following components:
The Ponca City Municipal Court maintains records of arrests resulting in municipal charges, while the Kay County Sheriff's Office maintains records for arrests in unincorporated areas. The Ponca City warrant listing provides information about outstanding warrants, which may include individuals with prior arrest records.
The expungement process in Kay County is governed by Oklahoma Statutes Title 22, § 18 and § 19, which provide legal mechanisms for the sealing or destruction of arrest records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Kay County Court Clerk at 201 S. Main St., Newkirk, OK 74647.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Kay County include:
The expungement process requires the following steps:
Upon successful expungement, pursuant to 22 O.S. § 19(D), all agencies must remove the records from public access, though certain law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies may retain sealed records for limited purposes. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation maintains a confidential index of expunged records as authorized by statute.