Not every Bluegrass State romance has a happy ending. And sadly, some relationships turn dangerous when they are over. Fortunately, Kentucky has legal orders that can help keep you safe. Here is an introduction to protective orders laws in Kentucky.
Protective Orders Laws
Protective orders, or "restraining orders," are court orders that direct a person named in the document to stay away from the person seeking the protection. If someone violates a protective order they can be fined or imprisoned. In some cases, protective orders can have additional restrictions regarding travel and gun ownership. In addition to protecting abused spouses and exes, protective orders may also be used to save children from harm and keep stalkers away.
Protective Orders Laws in Kentucky
State-issued protective orders can function a little differently, depending on the jurisdiction. The table below highlights the specifics of Kentucky’s protective orders statutes.
| Code Section | Kentucky Revised Statutes 209.01, et seq.: Kentucky Adult Protective Act; Kentucky Revised Statutes 403.715, et seq.: Domestic Violence and Abuse |
| Activity Addressed by Order | Enjoin contact; exclude from dwelling; regarding minors: temporary custody, support, counseling; restrain from disposing of or damaging property |
| Duration of Order | Emergency: maximum 14 days, may be extended for 14 days. General: maximum 3 years, may be reissued for a year period, with unlimited reissues |
| Penalty for a Violation of Order | Contempt of court: if intentional violation, Class A misdemeanor |
| Who May Apply for Order | Family member or unmarried couple member who is a resident or has fled to this state to escape domestic violation and abuse |
| Can Fees Be Waived? | Yes |
| Order Transmission to Law Enforcement | Copy to appropriate law enforcement agency within 24 hours; copy to appropriate agency for entry of domestic violation records into Law Information Network of Kentucky |
| Civil Liability for Violation of Order | Contempt of court |
Protection orders and harassment restraining orders are not a perfect deterrent for every harmful scenario. However, they can protect a victim of domestic violence by providing some criminal recourse if an abuser violates an order. Also, if you have a valid protection order issued by Kentucky, federal protection order law mandates that other states honor and enforce that order, and vice versa.
Kentucky Protective Orders Laws: Related Resources
Getting a protective order, and making sure it is enforced, can be a frightening process. You can contact a Kentucky domestic violence attorney in your area if you would like legal advice regarding a domestic violence or protective order matter. You can also visit FindLaw’s Orders of Protection and Restraining Orders section for additional articles and information on this topic.
