Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs)
An Emergency Protective Order (EPO) is a court order
issued in response to an allegation of violence on
behalf of a Petitioner. It is a civil order that, when
signed by a District Judge, serves to protect the
Petitioner from further acts of violence by the
Respondent. The Office of the Fayette Sheriff will be
asked to serve a copy of the EPO upon the Respondent
once it has been signed by a judge, assigned a court
date, and issued.
How to Apply
The applicant must fill out a detailed affidavit
describing the actions and behavior of the adverse party
that placed the applicant’s physical or mental
well-being at risk. In addition, the applicant must show
that the adverse party has acted and continues to act in
a pattern or "course of conduct" that over time evinces
a continuity of purpose directed at their person. The
applicant may include any number of supporting
documents, including, but not limited to:
- Documentation of phone calls
- Notes left by the adverse party
- Pictures of property damage, etc.
- Answering machine recordings
This affidavit must be legible and should include the
relevant dates and times of the adverse activities.
These requirements are necessary so that a coherent
portrayal may be presented to the judge who reviews the
affidavit. Once the affidavit is presented to the
reviewing judge, he or she will either grant or deny the
request for emergency protection. The applicant will be
contacted by a court clerk and informed of the judge's
decision. If the emergency protective order is granted,
a copy of said must be served to both parties before it
enters into force.
Where to File an Order
All Emergency Protective Orders are filed in the
District Courthouse.
The Domestic Violence
Clerk’s Office is located in
Room D466 of the
District Courthouse; it is open
Monday-Friday, 8:00am to
4:00pm, and may be contacted at 859-246-2248. The
Clerk’s Office
also accepts petitions for emergency protective orders;
it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That office
may be contacted at 859-246-2228.
Click here to review the
Kentucky Revised Statutes 403.700 - 403.785 for more
information pertaining to EPOs and domestic violence.
