A. Circuit court clerks shall process domestic violence cases in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Domestic Violence Proceedings” section of the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerk's Manual.

B. All cases will be assigned a “D” case number with the appropriate trailer number within the court case management system and may not be consolidated with any other case type.

C. Domestic violence matters shall be assigned to the Family Court.

D. Domestic violence cases are civil matters within the purview of CR 41.01. Therefore, this jurisdiction does not have a “no-drop” policy.

E. Domestic violence cases may be reassigned or transferred to another circuit when it is determined that a dissolution or child custody case is pending in the other county. A determination to transfer the matter is in the sole discretion of the issuing Judge. Consistent with FCRPP 12, when the Family Court Judge orders that a case be transferred to another circuit due to a pending dissolution or custody matter, an emergency protective order shall continue and the summons shall be reissued by the initiating court, pursuant to KRS 403.740(4), for a period not to exceed fourteen days if service has not been made on the adverse party by the date of transfer, or as the court determines is necessary for the protection of the petitioner. Thereafter, reissuance of the summons shall occur as needed in the court of transfer.

A. The following agencies and officers are authorized to take domestic violence petitions and administer oaths to petitioner during regular business hours:

Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk and all Deputy Clerks

B. The following agencies and officers are authorized to take domestic violence petitions and administer oaths to petitioner after regular business hours and weekends:

Any Law Enforcement handling the matter, including the Kentucky State Police.

C. Upon receipt of a petition during regular business hours, the authorized agency/officer shall present the petition to the following:

The Clerk shall deliver the appropriate documents to the Family Court Judge for consideration and action thereof. If the Family Court Judge is unavailable, the Clerk shall seek the consideration of a District Judge. If the District Court Judges and/or Family Court Judge are unavailable, the Clerk should call a non-Family Court Circuit Judge. If an EPO is issued, the Clerk shall docket the case in the Domestic Violence session of the Family Court.

D. Upon receipt of a petition after regular business hours, the authorized agency/officer shall present the petition to:

The on-call Judge¹ shall be contacted to consider the petition. If an EPO is issued, the Clerk shall docket the case in the Domestic Violence session of the Family Court.

E. Petitions will be reviewed within an hour of presentation to a judge or trial commissioner unless it is impossible due to the unavailability of a judge or trial commissioner.

F. The schedule for domestic violence hearings is as follows:

Every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

A. Pursuant to KRS 403.760, civil and criminal proceedings for violation of a protective order for the same violation of a protective order shall be mutually exclusive.

B. Petitioners seeking to initiate contempt proceedings should contact: The Campbell County Circuit Court Clerk's Office

C. No petitioner may be held in contempt for failing to appear at a domestic violence hearing or to prosecute a criminal violation of a protective order.

All general orders, forms, policies and procedures relating to domestic violence within the judicial circuit are attached to this protocol and incorporated by reference.