KY 503.050 Use of physical force in self-protection — Admissibility of evidence of prior acts of domestic violence and abuse.

State: Kentucky

Kentucky Revised Statutes (K.R.S.)

Title L. Kentucky Penal Code

Chapter 503. General Principles of Justification

503.050 Use of physical force in self-protection — Admissibility of evidence of prior 

acts of domestic violence and abuse.

(1) The use of physical force by a defendant upon another person is justifiable when the

defendant believes that such force is necessary to protect himself against the use or

imminent use of unlawful physical force by the other person.

(2) The use of deadly physical force by a defendant upon another person is justifiable

under subsection (1) only when the defendant believes that such force is necessary

to protect himself against death, serious physical injury, kidnapping, sexual

intercourse compelled by force or threat, felony involving the use of force, or under

those circumstances permitted pursuant to KRS 503.055.

(3) Any evidence presented by the defendant to establish the existence of a prior act or

acts of domestic violence and abuse as defined in KRS 403.720 by the person

against whom the defendant is charged with employing physical force shall be

admissible under this section.

(4) A person does not have a duty to retreat prior to the use of deadly physical force.