Domestic Violence Order, Emergency Protective Order, VEPO, Jurisdiction, Minor Child - Louisville, Kentucky : Located in Old Louisville one mile from downtown Louisville and the Hall of Justice.  

(1) In making a decision concerning pretrial release of a person who is arrested for a violation of KRS Chapter 508 or 510, or charged with a crime involving a violation of a protective order issued pursuant to KRS 403.740 or 403.750, the court or agency having authority to make a decision concerning pretrial release shall review the facts of the arrest and detention of the person and determine whether the person:  (a) Is a threat to the alleged victim or other family or household member; and (b) Is reasonably likely to appear in court. 

(2) Before releasing a person arrested for or charged with a crime specified in subsection (1) of this section, the court shall make findings, on the record if possible, concerning the determination made in accordance with subsection (1), and may impose conditions of release or bail on the person to protect the alleged victim of domestic violence or abuse and to ensure the appearance of the person at a subsequent court proceeding. The conditions may include: (a) An order enjoining the person from threatening to commit or committing acts of domestic violence or abuse against the alleged victim or other family or household member;  (b) An order prohibiting the person from harassing, annoying, telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating with the alleged victim, either directly or indirectly; (c) An order directing the person to vacate or stay away from the home of the alleged victim and to stay away from any other location where the victim is likely to be;  (d) An order prohibiting the person from using or possessing a firearm or other weapon specified by the court;  (e) An order prohibiting the person from possession or consumption of alcohol or controlled substances;  (f) Any other order required to protect the safety of the alleged victim and to ensure the appearance of the person in court; or  (g) Any combination of the orders set out in paragraphs (a) to (f).  

(3) If conditions of release are imposed, the court imposing the conditions on the arrested or charged person shall:   (a) Issue a written order for conditional release; and  (b) Immediately distribute a copy of the order to pretrial services.

(4) The court shall provide a copy of the conditions to the arrested or charged person upon release. Failure to provide the person with a copy of the conditions of release does not invalidate the conditions if the arrested or charged person has notice of the conditions. 

(5) If conditions of release are imposed without a hearing, the arrested or charged person may request a prompt hearing before the court to review the conditions. Upon request, the court shall hold a prompt hearing to review the conditions. 

(6) The victim, as defined in KRS 421.500, of the defendant's alleged crime, or an individual designated by the victim in writing, shall be entitled to a free certified copy of the defendant's conditions of release, or modified conditions of release, upon request to the clerk of the court which issued the order releasing the defendant. The victim or the victim's designee may personally obtain the document at the clerk's office or may have it delivered by mail. 

(7) The circuit clerk, or the circuit clerk's designee, in cooperation with the court that issued the order releasing the defendant, shall cause the conditions of release to be entered into the computer system maintained by the clerk and the Administrative Office of the Courts within twenty-four (24) hours following its filing, excluding weekends and holidays. Any modification of the release conditions shall likewise be entered by the circuit clerk, or the circuit clerk's designee. 

(8) The information entered under this section shall be accessible to any agency designated by the Kentucky State Police as a terminal agency for the Law Information Network of Kentucky.

(9) All orders issued under this section which require entry into the Law Information Network of Kentucky shall be entered on forms prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. If the conditions of pretrial release are contained in an order which is narrative in nature, the prescribed form shall be used in addition to the narrative order. 

(1) A parent not granted custody of the child is entitled to reasonable visitation rights unless the court finds, after a hearing, that visitation would endanger seriously the child's physical, mental, moral, or emotional health. Upon request of either party, the court shall issue orders which are specific as to the frequency, timing, duration, conditions, and method of scheduling visitation and which reflect the development age of the child. 

(2) If domestic violence and abuse, as defined in KRS 403.720, has been alleged, the court shall, after a hearing, determine the visitation arrangement, if any, which would not endanger seriously the child's or the custodial parent's physical, mental, or emotional health.

(3) The court may modify an order granting or denying visitation rights whenever modification would serve the best interests of the child; but the court shall not restrict a parent's visitation rights unless it finds that the visitation would endanger seriously the child's physical, mental, moral, or emotional health.

(1) A court of this state which is competent to decide child custody matters has jurisdiction to make a child custody determination by initial or modification decree if:  (a) This state is the home state of the child at the time of commencement of the proceeding, or had been the child's home state within six (6) months before commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state because of his removal or retention by a person claiming his custody or for other reasons, and a parent or person acting as parent continues to live in this state; or (b) It is in the best interest of the child that a court of this state assume jurisdiction because the child and his parents, or the child and at least one (1) contestant, have a significant connection with this state, and there is available in this state substantial evidence concerning the child's present or future care, protection, training, and personal relationships; or  (c) The child is physically present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency to protect the child because he has been subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse or is otherwise neglected or dependent; or  (d) It appears that no other state would have jurisdiction under prerequisites substantially in accordance with paragraphs (a), (b), or (c), or another state has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child, and it is in the best interest of the child that this court assume jurisdiction. 

(2) Except under paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1) of this section, physical presence in this state of the child, or of the child and one (1) of the contestants, is not alone sufficient to confer jurisdiction on a court of this state to make a child custody determination.

(3) Physical presence of the child, while desirable, is not a prerequisite for jurisdiction to determine his custody.

(4) A child custody proceeding is commenced in the Circuit Court:  (a) By a parent, by filing a petition:   1. For dissolution or legal separation; or   2. For custody of the child in the county in which he is permanently resident or found; or (b) By a person other than a parent, by filing a petition for custody of the child in the county in which he is permanently resident or found, but only if he is not in the physical custody of one (1) of his parents; or  (c) By a de facto custodian of the child, by filing a petition for custody of the child in the county in which the child is permanently resident or found.

(1) If, upon review of the petition, as provided for in KRS 403.735, the court determines that the allegations contained therein indicate the presence of an immediate and present danger of domestic violence and abuse, the court shall issue, upon proper motion, ex parte, an emergency protective order:  (a) Restraining the adverse party from any contact or communication with the petitioner except as directed by the court;  (b) Restraining the adverse party from committing further acts of domestic violence and abuse; (c) Restraining the adverse party from disposing of or damaging any of the property of the parties;  (d) Directing the adverse party to vacate the residence shared by the parties to the action;  (e) Utilizing the criteria set forth in KRS 403.270, 403.320, and  403.420, grant temporary custody; or  (f) Enter other orders the court believes will be of assistance in eliminating future acts of domestic violence and abuse; or any combination thereof.

(2) Except as provided in KRS 403.036, if the court issues an emergency protective order pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the court shall not order or refer the parties to mediation for resolution of the issues alleged in the petition filed pursuant to KRS 403.735.

(3) An emergency protective order issued in accordance with this section shall be issued without bond being required of the petitioner. 

(4) An emergency protective order issued in accordance with this section shall be effective for a period of time fixed in the order, but not to exceed fourteen (14) days. Upon the issuance of an emergency protective order, a date for a full hearing, as provided for in KRS 403.745, shall be fixed not later than the expiration date of the emergency protective order. An emergency protective order shall be reissued for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) days if service has not been made on the adverse party by the fixed court date and time or as the court determines is necessary for the protection of the petitioner.