Drais v. Drais
| Decision Date | 13 May 2022 |
| Docket Number | 2021-CA-0712-ME |
| Parties | RYAN DRAIS APPELLANT v. MICHELLE A. DRAIS APPELLEE |
| Court | Kentucky Court of Appeals |
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
BRIEF FOR APPELLANT: James G. Noll Newport, Kentucky
NO BRIEF FOR APPELLEE.
BEFORE: ACREE, DIXON, AND K. THOMPSON, JUDGES.
Ryan Drais appeals the Boone Circuit Court order dismissing his petition for a domestic violence order (DVO) against Michelle A. Drais. Additionally, he appeals a DVO issued by the same court upon Michelle's petition. After reviewing the record, we affirm.
Ryan and Michelle are married but are currently divorcing. At issue in this appeal are two separate Boone Circuit Court DVO actions: Nos. 21-D- 00018-002 and 21-D-00018-003. In the first, Michelle sought a DVO based on two events. She claimed Ryan pointed a firearm at the couple's youngest child and, on another occasion Ryan tackled her to the ground to get her cellphone. In the second DVO action, Ryan alleged Michelle threatened to burn his social security card and birth certificate. He said he remained fearful of his safety and his children's safety. He also produced a thirteen second video, in which Michelle states: "I'm going to fucking kill you." The circuit court found Michelle's allegation in the first action constituted acts of domestic violence but concluded the acts Ryan alleged did not constitute acts of domestic violence. Consequently, the circuit court granted Michelle's DVO against Ryan and denied Ryan's DVO against Michelle.
On appeal, Ryan argues the circuit court erred when it granted Michelle's DVO and dismissed his. He requests this court to either reverse the DVO granted to Michelle or reverse the order denying his petition against Michelle. We decline to reverse either order.
Appellate courts may overturn a circuit court's order regarding a DVO petition only when the order is based on clearly erroneous factfinding, or when the circuit court has abused its substantial discretion. Reichle v. Reichle, 719 S.W.2d 442, 444 (Ky. 1986) (citing Bennett v. Horton, 592 S.W.2d 460, 464 (Ky. 1979)).
A circuit court has the discretion to grant a DVO "if [it] finds by a preponderance of the evidence that domestic violence and abuse has occurred and may again occur[.]" KRS[1] 403.740. "The preponderance of the evidence standard is satisfied when sufficient evidence establishes the alleged victim was more likely than not to have been a victim of domestic violence." Caudill v. Caudill, 318 S.W.3d 112, 114 (Ky. App. 2010). Under KRS 403.720(1), domestic violence and abuse is: "physical injury, serious physical injury, stalking, sexual abuse, strangulation, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical injury, serious physical injury, sexual abuse, strangulation, or assault between family members[.]" KRS 403.720(1). Under KRS 500.080(15), a physical injury "means substantial physical pain or any impairment of physical condition." KRS 500.080(15).
Having reviewed the record, there exists neither clearly erroneous findings, nor any abuse of discretion.
In No. 21-D-00018-002, Michelle described two incidents which fall under behavior enumerated in KRS 403.720(1) that would justify a DVO under KRS 403.740. Michelle clearly alleged Ryan committed an assault against their daughter and against her. Under our statutory scheme, KRS 403.740 gives a circuit court the discretion to engage in factfinding and weigh the evidence it hears. See KRS 403.740. The circuit court found, by the preponderance of the evidence, that Ryan assaulted their child and physically abused Michelle and that this behavior would likely occur again. Michelle presented multiple instances of Ryan's violent behavior, and the circuit court appropriately weighed the credibility of this testimony. Consequently, it granted the DVO Michelle requested. In doing so, the circuit court did not abuse its discretion.
Further after review of the record, it does not appear Ryan alleged behavior appropriate for a DVO under KRS 403.720(1). Ryan merely alleges Michelle threatened to destroy his property, which does not fall under the conduct enumerated in KRS 403.720. See KRS 403.720. He never alleged Michelle injured him or acted violently toward him. Although he did produce a video...
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