Victim Advocacy
The Hopkins County Attorney’s Office is dedicated to serving victims and keeping them informed and involved in the legal process.
Services
Our Victim’s Advocate is available to be contacted during office hours regarding any and all issues victims may face, including but not limited to:
- Restitution
- No contact orders
- Guidance for treatment, both for the victim and defendant
- Information about court dates and the process
Victims may contact our office at 270.821.3164 or come in person to:
25 East Center Street
Madisonville, KY 42431
Can I drop the charges?
Once the defendant is charged with a crime by a law enforcement officer, the victim cannot drop the charges. Only a prosecutor, after a careful review of the case, can make the determination to dismiss a case. We certainly understand that there are many reasons why a victim may want a case dismissed, and our prosecutors will take the victim’s desired outcome into consideration when evaluating the case.
Protective Orders
Kentucky law has long allowed a person who is the victim of domestic violence to seek a protective order. This order can require the abuser to vacate a shared residence, to have no contact with the victim, to restrict the places the abuser can visit, and place the offender on a global positioning device.
This protection has been available for many years to family members, members of a married or formerly married couple, and members of an unmarried couple who currently live together or formerly lived together or have children in common. These protective orders, called Emergency Protective Orders (EPO) or Domestic Violence Orders (DVO), are issued by the Hopkins Circuit Family Court. A victim of domestic violence who is a member of an unmarried couple or in a dating relationship may be eligible for an Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO), which is issued by the Hopkins District Court.
A petition for an Emergency Protective Order or Interpersonal Protective Order is filed at the Hopkins Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Get more information about EPO/IPO qualifications. If you need assistance from an attorney with filing a protective order, you may need to reach out to a private attorney or contact Kentucky Legal Aid.
The Hopkins County Attorney’s Office prosecutes violations of protective orders. If you are a victim of a crime, our office may reach out to you by phone, by letter, or by issuing a subpoena asking you to appear in court on a certain day and time. If you have any questions about your case, please call us any time.
