Criminal: How do I . . .
File a Petition for Mental Inquest (MIW)?
- We are available to assist you with filing a MIW if you believe someone is a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness. If it is an emergency, do not file a petition, but rather, contact law enforcement immediately. Be aware that it is not appropriate to file an MIW if the person is a danger to themselves or others due to substance abuse. You are encouraged to call our office before filing a MIW at (270) 765-6726. The forms to file a petition are available here.
Have a guardian appointed for someone over 18 who is unable to manage their own affairs?
- We are available to assist you with filing a guardianship petition. Please find out more about the guardianship process here. The guardianship application can be found here. The emergency guardianship application can be found here. You are encouraged to fully review the information in these links and call our office before filing a guardianship at (270) 765-6726.
Obtain court ordered drug/alcohol treatment for someone who is unwilling to get treatment?
- We are available to assist you in obtaining involuntary treatment for someone who is a danger to themselves or others (or likely to become a danger to themselves or others) due to substance use and can reasonably benefit from treatment. This process is commonly known as a Casey’s Law petition. Find out more information on the Casey’s Law petition process here. You will find the forms to initiate a petition here. You are encouraged to fully review the information in these links and call our office before filing a Casey’s Law petition at (270) 765-6726.
Talk to someone about my criminal case?
- If you are a defendant in a case you should contact your attorney. We cannot discuss your case if you are represented by an attorney. If you are the victim of a crime, you may contact us at (270) 765-6726 and we will put you in touch with a victim advocate.
Obtain an Emergency Protective Order/Interpersonal Protective Order/Domestic Violence Order?
- You can initiate a petition during normal office hours Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at the Hardin County Justice Center located at 120 East Dixie Ave. in Elizabethtown. You may initiate a Petition after hours by contacting any law enforcement agency. Due to Covid-19 building restrictions in place as of November 1, 2020, you should contact law enforcement to initiate a petition.
Take care of a traffic ticket?
- If you are cited for a traffic violation, including Speeding 20 mph or less and have fewer than 2 prior citations, you may be eligible to resolve your ticket through the County Attorney Traffic Safety Course online. The fee for this is $175 and can be paid online. The ticket will be dismissed from your record and will likely pre-empt an increase in your insurance rates. You will not be required to pay additional fines or court costs. Email traffic@hcky.org and provide a copy of your citation to determine your eligibility and register for the course. If your ticket states prepayable, there’s no need to contact our office as you will automatically receive a letter if you qualify.
- If you are not contesting your traffic violation ticket and want to pay it, you may do so by providing payment over the phone to the Hardin Circuit Clerk’s Office at (270) 766-5041 or by mailing your payment to: Hardin District Clerk, 120 E. Dixie Ave. Elizabethtown, KY 42701
- Citations that are marked as “prepayble” on your citation can be paid online at kycourts.gov.
- If your payment is received prior to your court date, you will not need to appear on your court date or due date. Please make payment at least 5 business days prior to your court or due date. It is your responsibility to make sure payment was received. If you want the assistance of an attorney you should retain one prior to submitting any proof or payment.
File proof of insurance, registration or my renewed driver’s license prior to my court date?
- You may file proof with the County Attorney’s Office ONLY BEFORE YOUR FIRST SCHEDULED COURT DATE if you have been cited for failing to have proof of vehicle insurance, registration, an expired driver’s license or for failing to make an address change on your license.
- You can email a legible copy of your citation and the appropriate proof (see below) to the Hardin County Attorney’s Office at traffic@hcky.org. Please email your proof at least 10 business days before the court date listed on your ticket. If you do not receive a response via email telling you not to appear in Court then you must appear. Be aware that submitting fraudulent proof could result in criminal charges.
Obtain acceptable proof of insurance to satisfy a ticket?
- If you are cited for failing to have insurance your proof will need to be on your insurer’s letterhead, signed by your insurer and stating that you were insured on the date you were cited. You will find that date listed on your citation as offense date. It is not sufficient proof that you were insured to submit an insurance card with coverage that began more than 30 days before your Offense Date.
Obtain acceptable proof of registration to satisfy a ticket?
There are 4 ways to obtain this through the County Clerk’s Office:
- Online: drive.ky.gov
- By phone: (270)765-2171, option 2 for vehicle
- By mail: Hardin County Clerk, P.O. Box 1030, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. Mail-in renewals should include the prior year registration receipt, proof of insurance, and payment.
- Drop Box: There is a secure drop box located at the main entrance of the County Clerk’s Office at 150 N. Provident Way, Elizabethtown. There are envelopes and drop-box renewals should include the prior year registration receipt, proof of insurance, and payment. Include your name, address and phone number. If paying by credit card, you will receive a phone call for that information.
Renew my drivers license?
- You may renew or update your address on your drivers license by going to drive.ky.gov or https://secure.kentucky.gov/booking.web/event/book/159. You may also contact the Hardin Circuit Clerk’s Office by calling 270 766-5000 or 270-766-5001.
Find out if I need to be in court for a subpoena I received?
- Please call the number listed on your subpoena under “requesting attorney” if you have questions about your court appearance.
Turn over a bad check for collection by the County Attorney?
- If you receive a check, issued in Hardin County, in exchange for goods or services, that is dishonored for insufficient funds, we may be able to collect restitution and your merchant fee. If you have never used our service before, click here for more information on how this free service works. We are unable to process rent checks.
Pay restitution on a bad check?
- If you have received a letter from our office related to payment of a bad check, there should be a deposit slip for South Central Bank. You may take that to any South Central Bank location to pay your bad check and the associated fees. Cash, credit card or money order is accepted. If you need a new deposit slip please contact our office at 270 765-6726.
Find out about a court date?
- Please call the Hardin Circuit Clerk’s office at (270) 766-5000 or (270) 766-5037. If you have missed a court date and have an attorney, you should first contact your attorney.
Get a public defender?
- If the court determines you are indigent, it will appoint a public defender to represent you. After you have been appointed a public defender you may contact the public defender’s office at (833)385-6056.
File criminal charges?
- Contact a police agency or if you believe you have evidence of a crime and want to file a sworn criminal complaint, you may file out a criminal complaint here. Then call our office at (270) 765-6726. Please be aware that our office does not investigate allegations and the only charges that will be initiated through our office are those for which an investigation is unnecessary or has been completed by law enforcement. You are encouraged to call our office before filing a criminal complaint with our office at (270) 765-6726.
Can I be notified before someone is released from jail?
- You can register with VINE (Victim Notification Everyday) by calling 1800-511-1670 or by email www.vinelink.com. Be prepared to set up a four-digit PIN#.
