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

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.020 (2026)

Justification -- A defense

✓ current as of May 2026
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In any prosecution for an offense, justification, as defined in this chapter, is a defense. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 27, effective January 1, 1975.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1985–2026 · leading case: Lapradd v. Commonwealth, 334 S.W.3d 88 (Ky. 2011).
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Lapradd v. Commonwealth, 334 S.W.3d 88 (Ky. 2011). · cites it 3× “KRS 503.020 makes clear that, “[i]n any prosecution for an offense, justification, as defined in this chapter, is a defense.”
Clark v. Kentucky, 229 F. Supp. 2d 718 (E.D. Ky. 2002). “§ 503.020 (“In any prosecution for an offense, justification, as defined in this chapter, is a defense.”
Jones v. Commonwealth, 366 S.W.3d 376 (Ky. 2011). “” “Justification” is defined in KRS 503.020 as “a defense.” Relative to KRS 503.”
Sizemore v. Commonwealth, 844 S.W.2d 397 (Ky. 1992). “We are left with the terms of KRS 503.020: “In any prosecution for an offense, justification, as defined in this chapter, is a defense,” and with the terms of KRS 503.”
Poteete v. Commonwealth, 701 S.W.2d 416 (Ky. Ct. App. 1985). “KRS 503.020 states “[i]n any prosecution for an offense, justification, as defined in this chapter, is a defense.”
United States v. Henry Shell (6th Cir. 2021). “050(1); see Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.020. The use of “deadly physical force,” defined as “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,” Ky.”
Anderson v. City of Fulton, Kentucky (W.D. Ky. 2020). “§ 503.020 (“In any prosecution for an offense, justification, as defined in this chapter, is a defense.”
Nicholas Seth Peek v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. Ct. App. 2025). “050 (defining when use of force, including deadly -7- force, is justifiable to protect oneself);3 KRS 503.020 (justification is a defense).”
Margaret Eads v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. Ct. App. 2026). “KRS 503.020. Turning to KRS 503.085(1), we encounter another instance where the legislature sought to protect law enforcement officers from violence while performing their public duty.”
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