Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 383 § 383.210
Issual and form of warrant -- Jury not summoned unless demanded
Operative Text
383.210 Issual and form of warrant -- Jury not summoned unless demanded. (1) Upon complaint by a person aggrieved by a forcible entry or detainer to the District Court of the county in which the land or tenement, or a principal part thereof, lies, a warrant shall issue to the sheriff or any constable, in substance as follows: "The Commonwealth of Kentucky to the sheriff (or any constable) of .... county: Whereas, A B hath made complaint that C D and E F did, on the .... day of ...., forcibly enter into (or forcibly detain from the said A B) one (1) house and field on the waters of ...., in the county aforesaid (or other general description of the lands or tenements), which were in the peaceable possession of A B (or which the said C D and E F, tenants of the said A B, now hold against him): You are, therefore, commanded to summon a good and lawful jury of your county to meet on the premises, or at a place convenient thereto, on the .... day of ...., to inquire into the forcible entry (or forcible detainer) aforesaid; and give to the said C D and E F at least three (3) days' notice of the time and place of the meeting of the jury; and have then there this writ. Witness, etc." (2) In the trial of writs of forcible entry, forcible detainer or forcible entry and detainer, if neither party, in person or by agent or attorney, demand a jury, the trial thereof shall be by the court. No such writ shall hereafter direct the summoning of a jury, and the sheriff or other officer to whose hands such writ may come to do execution thereof shall not summon a jury in such proceedings, unless he be by either party notified in writing that a jury is demanded. At the calling of the cause for trial either party may demand a jury.
Kentucky Revised Statutes § 383.210 establishes the procedural mechanism for initiating a forcible entry or detainer action in the District Court of the county where the property is located. When a complaint is filed, the court issues a warrant directing the sheriff or constable to notify the opposing party and arrange for a hearing. Importantly, a jury trial is not automatically convened — a jury is only empaneled if one of the parties formally demands it in writing, and either party may make that demand at the time the case is called for trial.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.210, a property owner who believes a tenant or other party is unlawfully occupying or detaining their property may initiate proceedings by filing a complaint in the District Court of the relevant county. A compliant operator generally ensures that the required notice is properly served on the occupying party, giving at least three days' notice of the hearing as specified in the warrant. Landlords who wish to have their case decided by a jury rather than the court alone typically provide written notice of that demand to the sheriff or officer handling the writ, or raise the demand at the calling of the cause for trial.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.210 governs how forcible entry and detainer proceedings are initiated and tried in Kentucky, and it affords tenants the right to a jury trial if they choose to exercise it. A tenant who receives notice of such a proceeding has the ability to demand a jury by notifying the sheriff or officer in writing, or by making the demand when the case is called for trial. Tenants facing these proceedings may benefit from reviewing their rights with a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Kentucky District Court procedures.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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