Kentucky State Laws

The state of Kentucky is known for having more turkey and deer than any other state per capita. Kentucky is however most known for its horse races, horse breeding, motor vehicle production, bourbon companies, and music of the bluegrass genre.

The whole of Kentucky is governed by Kentucky's Revised Statues that are nearly seventy-years-old. These statutes work alongside Kentucky state laws as well as federal laws and are enforced through sheriff departments, police stations, and constables around the state. State laws make up where federal laws have no role. The laws that each state, including Kentucky, create and stand by usually include divorce laws, drunk driving laws, labor laws, felony punishments, bankruptcy laws, gun laws, and others.

Drunk Driving
The punishments for driving under the influence in Kentucky depend on prior convictions. Unlike some other states, Kentucky has a lookback period of five years where a prior offense beyond which it will not be used for a present charge. Prior offenses and their circumstances will increase an individual's current punishment severely.

Punishments for driving under the influence usually include driver's license suspension, imprisonment, fines, alcohol treatment education, community service, and others. Punishments may also increase depending on any aggravated circumstances. If an individual is arrested for driving under the influence and is driving over the speed limit, he or she will have elevated charges. This is also the case with having a minor in the motor vehicle, cause another injury, having a blood alcohol content level double the legal limit, and causing the death of another.

Firearms
Kentucky law states that no individual may carry a concealed weapon unless he or she has the proper permit. Many states allow citizens to carry concealed weapons without permits on their personal property, however this is not the case in Kentucky. Only those serving on duty may carry firearms in public service occupations. Carrying a firearm in a motor vehicle can be also considered illegal in some circumstances. If the firearm is under a seat it is considered illegal, but if a firearm is in a glove compartment it is not consider illegal by the state of Kentucky.

Breaks
Many states use the federal law that does not require employers to provide employees with meal breaks each day. Kentucky is one of the few states that has created it own laws in regards to meal breaks. This law states that employees must be given meal breaks between the third and fifth hour of working each day. These breaks are not to be paid, unless contract states otherwise. Other paid breaks may also be provided at an employer's discretion.

Divorce
Each state has its own requirements for divorce. Kentucky requires that individuals must be state residents for a minimum of one hundred eighty days prior to filing for divorce in the state of Kentucky. Because divorce cases are handled through county circuit courts, individuals are required to file with the court of their county or that of their spouses. If a divorce case is filed to the incorrect county, the divorce petition will be dismissed.