Criminal & Civil Process

Emergency Protective Orders

An Emergency Protective Order issued by a Judge can direct the abuser to:

  • Award petitioner (abused party) temporary custody
  • Have no contact or communication
  • Restrain from disposing of or damaging property
  • Stop the abuse
  • Vacate the residence
  • Other orders as needed to prevent domestic violence

Any violations of these orders may constitute contempt of court and you should call your local police department immediately. If this is an emergency, call 911.

Eligibility Criteria

Kentucky law allows the Court to issue a protective order against a named individual to protect you and/or your minor child from violence. Before the Court can issue an emergency order you must fulfill three (3) requirements:

  1. You must be a resident of Kenton County or have fled to Kenton County as a safe place. 
  2.  You must have a domestic relationship with the person from whom you are seeking protection. Kentucky law defines “domestic relationships” as follows: 
    • Spouse or former spouse 
    • Person with whom you live or formerly lived 
    • Person with whom you have an alleged child in common 
    • Parent, Grandparent, Child or Step-child 
    • Any person living in the same household as a child if the child is the alleged victim. 
  3. There must be an immediate and present danger of Domestic Violence and Abuse. This means physical injury, sexual abuse, assault or the threat or infliction of fear of imminent physical injury, sexual abuse or assault. This means you may qualify for a protective order if you or your minor child are actually physically injured, assaulted or sexually abused or if the person says or acts like he/she is going to physically injure, sexually abuse or assault you or your minor child. 

If the Court finds that all three (3) of these requirements are met, it will issue an Emergency Protective order and give you a date to return for a hearing. You must return for this hearing. If the Court finds that there is not an immediate and present danger of domestic violence but you otherwise qualify for a protective order, the Court may issue a summons for a hearing date to determine if you will get a protective order. Again, you must return for this hearing. To facilitate notification of service or release from jail, you should register for VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) by calling 1-800-511-1670 or going online. You may also wish to discuss the facts of your case with the local police or with the Kenton County Attorney’s Office to pursue criminal charges.

You may contact the County Attorney at 859-491-0600.

Sheriff Service Fee

Effective June 27, 2019 the Fee for Sheriff Service across the Commonwealth will be $60 per service, per KRS 64.090.