Victim Resources

The criminal legal system can often be quite confusing and overwhelming for many individuals. Our office is dedicated to helping victims navigate this complex process by providing a clear understanding of how it works, assisting them in obtaining restitution, and offering valuable information about various community resources that are available to support them during this challenging time.

The 2020 Kentucky Constitutional Amendment referred to as Marsy’s Law provides the following rights to you as a crime victim:
  1.  You have the right to be treated with fairness, respect, dignity, and to be protected from intimidation or harm throughout the criminal and juvenile justice process
  2.  You have the right, upon request, to be informed about victims’ rights, criminal proceedings, and if the accused is arrested, released, or escapes
  3.  You have the right to have your safety, dignity, and privacy to be considered
  4.  You have the right to be heard at bond, bail release, pleas, or sentencing
  5.  You have the right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay
  6.  You have the right to be present at criminal proceedings
  7.  You have the right to consult with prosecution
  8.  You have standing to assert your rights, have an attorney assert your rights, or request the Attorney for the Commonwealth assert your rights
  9.  You have the right to full restitution paid by the convicted
If you are the victim of a crime in Fulton County, our office can assist you with the following:
  • Advise you of your rights as a victim under Marsy's Law and pursuant to KRS 421.500

  • Provide you with information about the criminal legal process

  • Request your input to provide to prosecutors

  • Listen to you and provide emotional support

  • Facilitate a meeting between you and the prosecutor in your case

  • Provide you with information about safety and protection

  • Assist with restitution

  • Refer you to other services provided by our community partners

If you are recognized as a crime victim in Fulton County, our office may contact you by mail, phone, or in court. Your communications with us are not confidential and will only be shared with the prosecutor to help with the case.

Protective orders

If you need help applying and/or completing a petition for a protective order, call the Fulton District Court at (270) 236-3944 and they can assist you with the process. Please note that the petitioner is the person who files a petition for a protective order. The respondent is the person who allegedly committed the abuse.

  • In Kentucky, you can get a protective order only if you have a qualifying relationship with the person you want it against. Conflicts with neighbors or co-workers do not qualify. Qualifying relationships include:

    • Family members: such as spouses, former spouses, parents, children, stepchildren, grandparents, grandchildren, or anyone living with a child who is the victim.

    • Unmarried couples: those who have children together, have lived together, or currently live together.

    • Individuals in a dating relationship with a romantic or intimate nature.

    • Victims of stalking or sexual assault.

    You can seek protection for yourself, your children, and others who may need it.

    If you're an adult and think a child needs protection, you can file for them.

    If you're under 18, an adult can file a petition for you.

  • The court can issue protective orders for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to prevent future abuse. Criminal cases are prosecuted by the county attorney for past violence or abuse.

    Temporary Protective Orders: The court can issue an emergency protective order (EPO) for domestic violence or a temporary interpersonal protective order (TIPO) for dating violence and stalking/sexual assault. These short-term orders restrict the respondent's actions to stop violence and abuse until a court hearing, typically within 14 days.

    Long-Term Protective Orders: Domestic violence orders (DVO) and interpersonal protective orders (IPO) can last up to three years, restricting a respondent to prevent violence and abuse after a court hearing.

  • To qualify for an EPO or IPO, the respondent must have:

    • Physically hurt or attacked you.

    • Strangled you.

    • Sexually abused or assaulted you.

    • Threatened to hurt or attack you.

    • Stalked you.

    • Acted in a way that made you feel fear of immediate physical harm, serious injury, sexual abuse, strangulation, or assault.

  • You can obtain a protective order at the Fulton County District Court.

    • You can obtain a protective order 24 hours a day. If the Courthouse is closed, contact local law enforcement.

    • There are no fees or costs for filing a petition.

  • The petition will be submitted to a judge for review. If an EPO, TIPO, or summons is issued, a hearing will be set within 14 days to decide on a long-term order. You will receive details on your hearing date and time from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk if needed.

    Law enforcement will serve the protective order or summons on the respondent, which only takes effect upon service or notification. Contact the assigned agency on the order to confirm service status.

    An EPO/TIPO is effective until the court hearing, usually within 14 days. If the respondent isn't served, the order continues until service (up to six months) or withdrawal by the court. You must attend the hearing, as only a judge can reschedule or modify the order. The court may excuse you from future appearances until the respondent is served. If unserved for six months, you will get a notice at your last address to renew the petition.

  • This might be the only hearing in this case, so bring any witnesses and documents that support your claims, like police reports, photos, and medical records. The circuit court clerk can provide subpoena forms for witnesses. All this information will become part of the court record.

  • During a full hearing, the court listens to you, the respondent, and any witnesses. The court can either dismiss the case or issue a domestic violence order (DVO) or interpersonal protective order (IPO) with the following conditions:

    • The respondent must not contact you or others unless allowed by the judge.

    • The respondent must stay away from certain places like your home, school, or workplace (this must be included in the protective order request). Note that any addresses provided are not confidential and can be seen by the respondent.

    • The respondent must not hurt or threaten you.

    • The respondent must not damage or get rid of your property.

    • The respondent must leave your home.

    • Temporary custody of children may be granted.

    • Any additional measures needed to prevent future violence can be included.

  • A protective order is valid in any county in Kentucky. Other states can enforce it, but you need to register it in any state where you live or stay for a long time.

    If the person violates the protective order, you can:

    • Call the police, who might arrest them.

    • Return to the court that issued the order to ask for contempt charges.

    • Contact the county attorney’s office to find out if they can be charged with a crime.