Get a Domestic Violence Attorney with experience in Louisville, Kentucky

1. The Jefferson County Attorney's office was one of the first prosecutor's offices in the country to develop a specialized prosecution division devoted solely to the prosecution of domestic violence cases. The County Attorney's office also created the VINE network to advise victims of Domestic Violence of the current status of the defendant's incarceration and learn the status of the receipt of emergency protective orders.

https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/siteInfoAction.do?siteId=18000

Because so many victims decide to not pursue prosecution due to economic dependence, child care, and change their story and continue a pattern of violence, the county Attorney has adopted a “No Drop Policy� with regard to Domestic Violence offenses.

The Judge may, depending on the case, order that you have no contact with the prosecuting witness. You must not, under any circumstance, violate the Judge's order. A no contact order means you are not to talk, text, write, or call the prosecution witness. If you are in a McDonald's and the prosecuting witness enters, you must leave the restaurant immediately without having any contact with the witness. You are not to drive in front of their home or place of residence. You are not to have third parties, such as your family or friends, contact the witness on your behalf. Do not text or post comments on Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace.

2. If the prosecuting witness attempts to contact you after the Judge has advised you to have no contact, you still must obey the Judge's order and have no contact. You may not contact or communicate directly or in response to the prosecuting witness attempt to have contact with you until and unless this Court amends the order and permits contact. Even if another court permits contact, you are not permitted to have contact until this court amends its order. If you have any questions regarding a no contact order, we must redocket the case and ask the Judge for clarity. Judges rigidly enforce no contact orders and do not hesitate to incarcerate those who violate their orders.

HOW TO TAKE OUT AN E.P.O.

(Emergency Protective Order)

An EPO is an Emergency Protective Order. It is good for only FOURTEEN DAYS, during which time a hearing will be held on additional protection. The next level of protection is obtaining a DVO (Domestic Violence Order), which may be issued by the Family Court Judge after an EPO hearing at which both parties have an opportunity to appear. A DVO is valid for up to THREE YEARS and can be renewed by the Court.

If you are in Jefferson County and need to take out an Emergency Protective Order (known as an "EPO"), please call 502-595-0853. The Domestic Violence Intake Office at the Jefferson County Hall of Justice at 600 West Jefferson Street (Room 1150, First Floor) is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 12:30 A.M (after Midnight). They are also open from 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. Their phone number is 502-595-0853. See http://www.louisvilleky.gov/CountyAttorney/dvintakecenter/ for more information.

If you need emergency protection at other hours (after Midnight and before 8 AM, for instance), you can go to the Hall of Justice at 600 West Jefferson Street in downtown Louisville and tell any of the Deputy Sheriffs at the metal detector station that you need to take out an EPO. They will direct you to the proper office.

If you are outside Jefferson County, contact your local law enforcement office and ask how to take out an EPO. If you are a victim you may want to contact the Louisville Center for Woman and Families for support information. http://www.thecenteronline.org/

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