Ky. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 503
Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.010 (2026)

Definitions for chapter

✓ current as of May 2026
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The following definitions apply in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Deadly physical force" means force which is used with the purpose of causing death or serious physical injury or which the defendant knows to create a substantial risk of causing death or serious physical injury. (2) "Dwelling" means a building or conveyance of any kind, including any attached porch, whether the building or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it, including a tent, and is designed to be occupied by people lodging therein at night. (3) "Imminent" means impending danger, and, in the context of domestic violence and abuse as defined by KRS 403.720, belief that danger is imminent can be inferred from a past pattern of repeated serious abuse. (4) "Physical force" means force used upon or directed toward the body of another person and includes confinement. (5) "Residence" means a dwelling in which a person resides either temporarily or permanently or is visiting as an invited guest. (6) "Vehicle" means a conveyance of any kind, whether or not motorized, which is designed to transport people or property. Effective: July 12, 2006 History: Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 192, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 26, effective January 1, 1975.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 37 cases (27 in the last 5 years), 1992–2026 · leading case: Springer v. Commonwealth, 998 S.W.2d 439 (Ky. 1999).
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Springer v. Commonwealth, 998 S.W.2d 439 (Ky. 1999). · cites it 4× “) The enactment of KRS 503.010(1) and KRS 503.050(3) shortly after the emergence of the "battered woman syndrome" as a phenomenon scientifically accepted in the medical community reflects a legislative intent to allow the defense of self-protection to be premised upon "battered…”
Commonwealth v. Hager, 41 S.W.3d 828 (Ky. 2001). · cites it 4× “010(4), and "deadly physical force," KRS 503.010(1), which apply to the defense of self-protection.”
Foster v. Commonwealth, 827 S.W.2d 670 (Ky. 1992). · cites it 2× “025(2)(a)6; KRS 503.010 et seq. The remaining allegations of error in the guilt phase which can be directly attributable to the denial of severance are found to be without merit.”
Commonwealth v. Vincent, 70 S.W.3d 422 (Ky. 2002). · cites it 2× “2d 571, 576 (1995), this provision, and a change by the same legislature to the definition of "imminent" contained at KRS 503.010(3), provide strong evidence that the General Assembly recognized, and made allowances for, the fact that victims of past acts of domestic violence or…”
Mondie v. Commonwealth, 158 S.W.3d 203 (Ky. 2005). “KRS 503.010(2). 13 . KENTUCKY CRIMINAL LAW, supra note 9, § 4-4(c)(3).”
Lickliter v. Commonwealth, 142 S.W.3d 65 (Ky. 2004). · cites it 2× “"Imminent" is defined in KRS 503.010(3) as impending danger. The dictionary also lists "impending" as being synonymous with "imminent" and further defines it as, "About to occur at any moment.”
Fraley v. Rice-Fraley, 313 S.W.3d 635 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “” KRS 503.010(3). In the present case, Gail contradicted herself multiple times in the hearing, stating at times that she was not fearful of Dale and that she did not worry about her safety, and at other times stating that she would feel unsafe if the court did not enter a…”
Collett v. Dailey, 371 S.W.3d 777 (Ky. Ct. App. 2011). “The definition of “imminent” is found in KRS 503.010(3) as follows: “impending danger, and, in the context of domestic violence and abuse as defined by KRS 403.”
Sizemore v. Commonwealth, 844 S.W.2d 397 (Ky. 1992). “KRS 503.010(1) reads: “Deadly physical force” means force which is used with a purpose of causing death or serious physical injury or which the defendant knows to create a substantial risk of causing death or serious physical injury.”
Troy Dunkleberger v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2025). · cites it 7× “060(3)(a); KRS 503.010. Therefore, this appeal presents a threshold question of law which we review de novo.”
Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Melzena Lulabell Moore (Ky. 2025). · cites it 3× “16 KRS 503.010, KRS 503.050, and KRS 533.060 to add references to domestic violence which allowed more opportunities for justification and access to probation, 8 and added a new section to KRS 431.”
Joaquin Fuentes-Orduna v. Virginia Lindsey Carmical (Ky. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 2× “” KRS 503.010(3). After careful review of the record, we find no manifest injustice in the trial court’s finding that an act of domestic violence occurred and may occur again if a DVO is not entered.”
Show all 37 citing cases →
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.010(1) — 7 cases
Springer v. Commonwealth, 998 S.W.2d 439 (Ky. 1999). “) The enactment of KRS 503.010(1) and KRS 503.050(3) shortly after the emergence of the "battered woman syndrome" as a phenomenon scientifically accepted in the medical community reflects a legislative intent to allow the defense of self-protection to be premised upon "battered…”
Commonwealth v. Hager, 41 S.W.3d 828 (Ky. 2001). “010(4), and "deadly physical force," KRS 503.010(1), which apply to the defense of self-protection.”
Sizemore v. Commonwealth, 844 S.W.2d 397 (Ky. 1992). “KRS 503.010(1) reads: “Deadly physical force” means force which is used with a purpose of causing death or serious physical injury or which the defendant knows to create a substantial risk of causing death or serious physical injury.”
United States v. Henry Shell (6th Cir. 2021).
Courtney Kidd v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2022).
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.010(2) — 1 case
Mondie v. Commonwealth, 158 S.W.3d 203 (Ky. 2005). “KRS 503.010(2). 13 . KENTUCKY CRIMINAL LAW, supra note 9, § 4-4(c)(3).”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.010(3) — 25 cases
Springer v. Commonwealth, 998 S.W.2d 439 (Ky. 1999). “) The enactment of KRS 503.010(1) and KRS 503.050(3) shortly after the emergence of the "battered woman syndrome" as a phenomenon scientifically accepted in the medical community reflects a legislative intent to allow the defense of self-protection to be premised upon "battered…”
Commonwealth v. Vincent, 70 S.W.3d 422 (Ky. 2002). “2d 571, 576 (1995), this provision, and a change by the same legislature to the definition of "imminent" contained at KRS 503.010(3), provide strong evidence that the General Assembly recognized, and made allowances for, the fact that victims of past acts of domestic violence or…”
Lickliter v. Commonwealth, 142 S.W.3d 65 (Ky. 2004). “"Imminent" is defined in KRS 503.010(3) as impending danger. The dictionary also lists "impending" as being synonymous with "imminent" and further defines it as, "About to occur at any moment.”
Fraley v. Rice-Fraley, 313 S.W.3d 635 (Ky. Ct. App. 2010). “” KRS 503.010(3). In the present case, Gail contradicted herself multiple times in the hearing, stating at times that she was not fearful of Dale and that she did not worry about her safety, and at other times stating that she would feel unsafe if the court did not enter a…”
Collett v. Dailey, 371 S.W.3d 777 (Ky. Ct. App. 2011). “The definition of “imminent” is found in KRS 503.010(3) as follows: “impending danger, and, in the context of domestic violence and abuse as defined by KRS 403.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.010(4) — 5 cases
Commonwealth v. Hager, 41 S.W.3d 828 (Ky. 2001). “010(4), and "deadly physical force," KRS 503.010(1), which apply to the defense of self-protection.”
Troy Dunkleberger v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2025). “060(3)(a); KRS 503.010. Therefore, this appeal presents a threshold question of law which we review de novo.”
Lance Bowman v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2024).
Courtney Kidd v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2022).
Keith Rose v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. Ct. App. 2026).
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.010(5) — 1 case
John Wimsett v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2026).
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