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 may be reassigned from the district court division to circuit/family court when there is a dissolution/custody proceeding pending.

D. No jurisdiction shall adopt a blanket “no-drop” policy. Domestic violence cases are civil matters within the purview of CR 41.01.

E. Domestic violence cases may be reassigned or transferred to another circuit, consistent with FCRPP 12, when there is a pending dissolution or custody matter in the other Circuit. Any 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:

Jessamine County Circuit Court Clerk

Garrard County Circuit Court Clerk

Any law enforcement officer

Any victim's advocate

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 officer

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

The Family Court Judge, the District Court Judge, the Circuit Court Judge or the Trial Commissioner, based upon availability.

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

The Family Court Judge, the District Court Judge, the Circuit Court Judge or the Trial Commissioner, based upon availability.

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:

Garrard Circuit Court

Each Friday beginning at 3.00 PM.

Jessamine Circuit Court

Each Wednesday beginning at 3.00 PM.

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 Office of the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the action is pending.

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.