Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 383 § 383.220
Return of warrant -- Jury -- Oath
Operative Text
383.220 Return of warrant -- Jury -- Oath. At the time for holding the inquisition, the officer shall return the warrant to the court with an indorsement stating when and upon whom it was executed and the place designated by the officer for holding the inquisition, together with a panel of the jury; whereupon, the clerk, whether the defendant is present or not, shall administer an oath to the jurors in substance as follows: "You, and each of you, shall well and truly inquire into and return whether or not the defendant (or defendants) is (or are) guilty of the forcible entry (or detainer) complained of in the warrant in this cause: so help you God."
Kentucky Revised Statute § 383.220 governs the procedural steps that occur when a forcible entry or detainer inquisition is convened. The officer who served the warrant must return it to the court with an endorsement showing when and on whom it was served, along with the location chosen for the inquisition and a jury panel. Once those materials are before the court, the clerk administers a prescribed oath to the jurors—regardless of whether the defendant is present—directing them to determine whether the defendant committed the forcible entry or detainer alleged in the warrant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.220, a landlord pursuing a forcible detainer action can expect the inquisition process to follow a structured sequence: the serving officer returns the warrant with proper endorsements, a jury is assembled, and the clerk administers the statutory oath before any inquiry begins. Operators familiar with this process generally ensure that service of the warrant is documented accurately, since the officer's endorsement—recording when and upon whom service occurred—is a required component of the return. Understanding this procedural framework helps property managers anticipate the timeline and formalities of a Kentucky forcible detainer proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.220 establishes that a jury must be sworn in before the inquisition into a forcible entry or detainer claim proceeds, and that this can happen even if the defendant is not present at the hearing. Tenants facing a forcible detainer warrant should be aware that the procedural requirements of this statute—including proper service endorsement and jury oath—are part of the formal record of the proceeding. Tenants who believe procedural steps were not followed correctly may have grounds to raise those issues in the proceeding, and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider can help clarify available options under Kentucky law.
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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