Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.050 (2026)

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

✓ current as of May 2026

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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. Effective: July 12, 2006 History: Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 192, sec. 3, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 173, sec. 2, effective July 14, 1992. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 30, effective January 1, 1975.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 131 cases (57 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case: Rodgers v. Commonwealth, 285 S.W.3d 740 (Ky. 2009).

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Rodgers v. Commonwealth, 285 S.W.3d 740 (Ky. 2009). · cites it 16× “085, the new provision granting immunity to those who justifiably use self-defense: *753 (1) A person who uses force as permitted in KRS 503.050, 503.055, 503.070, and 503.080 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use…”

Pollini v. Commonwealth, 172 S.W.3d 418 (Ky. 2005). · cites it 8× “Anderson 1993), and KRS 503.050. Appellant argues the instruction on self-protection in this case should have stated that such a defense is available if Appellant "believed Byron Pruitt was there about to use physical force upon him," such wording being in conformity with…”

Commonwealth v. Hasch, 421 S.W.3d 349 (Ky. 2013). · cites it 10× “At the same time, a new provision was also added to KRS 503.050, stating: “A person does not have a duty to retreat prior to the use of deadly physical force.”

Springer v. Commonwealth, 998 S.W.2d 439 (Ky. 1999). · cites it 6× “050, the statute authorizing the use of physical force in self-protection, was amended to add a new subsection (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.”

Commonwealth v. Rose, 725 S.W.2d 588 (Ky. 1987). · cites it 9× “" KRS 503.050. But KRS 503.120(1) provides that when "such belief .”

Hannah v. Commonwealth, 306 S.W.3d 509 (Ky. 2010). · cites it 6× “KRS 503.050 was also amended to state that "[a] person does not have a duty to retreat prior to the use of deadly physical force.”

McGinnis v. Commonwealth, 875 S.W.2d 518 (Ky. 1994). · cites it 8× “120(1) then qualifies an act of self-protection as a defense by specifying it is " unavailable in a prosecution for an offense for which wantonness or recklessness, as the case may be, suffices to establish culpability.”

Commonwealth v. Vincent, 70 S.W.3d 422 (Ky. 2002). · cites it 8× “3401 parole restrictions if the offender "come[s] within the definitions of KRS 503.050 and 533.060... as the victim of domestic violence and abuse .”

Commonwealth v. Hager, 41 S.W.3d 828 (Ky. 2001). · cites it 4× “120(1) provides as follows: When the defendant believes that the use of force upon or toward the person of another is necessary for any of the purposes for which such belief would establish a justification under KRS 503.050 to 503.110 but the defendant is wanton or reckless in…”

Commonwealth v. Higgs, 59 S.W.3d 886 (Ky. 2001). · cites it 6× “The Court of Appeals held that the jury was improperly instructed to apply an objective standard in determining Appellee's right to use deadly physical force in self-protection against kidnapping.”

Elliott v. Commonwealth, 976 S.W.2d 416 (Ky. 1998). · cites it 4× “(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, or sexual intercourse compelled by…”

Hilbert v. Commonwealth, 162 S.W.3d 921 (Ky. 2005). · cites it 4× “In denying the requested instructions, the trial judge reasoned that the self-defense statute, KRS 503.050 "is based on the subjective belief of the defendant and the defendant is the only one who can testify.”

Show all 131 citing cases →

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.050(1) — 32 cases

Pollini v. Commonwealth, 172 S.W.3d 418 (Ky. 2005). “Anderson 1993), and KRS 503.050. Appellant argues the instruction on self-protection in this case should have stated that such a defense is available if Appellant "believed Byron Pruitt was there about to use physical force upon him," such wording being in conformity with…”

Springer v. Commonwealth, 998 S.W.2d 439 (Ky. 1999). “050, the statute authorizing the use of physical force in self-protection, was amended to add a new subsection (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.”

Commonwealth v. Hager, 41 S.W.3d 828 (Ky. 2001). “120(1) provides as follows: When the defendant believes that the use of force upon or toward the person of another is necessary for any of the purposes for which such belief would establish a justification under KRS 503.050 to 503.110 but the defendant is wanton or reckless in…”

Commonwealth v. Rose, 725 S.W.2d 588 (Ky. 1987). “" KRS 503.050. But KRS 503.120(1) provides that when "such belief .”

Commonwealth v. Vincent, 70 S.W.3d 422 (Ky. 2002). “3401 parole restrictions if the offender "come[s] within the definitions of KRS 503.050 and 533.060... as the victim of domestic violence and abuse .”

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.050(2) — 24 cases

Commonwealth v. Higgs, 59 S.W.3d 886 (Ky. 2001). “The Court of Appeals held that the jury was improperly instructed to apply an objective standard in determining Appellee's right to use deadly physical force in self-protection against kidnapping.”

Rodgers v. Commonwealth, 285 S.W.3d 740 (Ky. 2009). “085, the new provision granting immunity to those who justifiably use self-defense: *753 (1) A person who uses force as permitted in KRS 503.050, 503.055, 503.070, and 503.080 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use…”

Carey Woodcock v. City of Bowling Green, 679 F. App'x 419 (6th Cir. 2017).

Cecil v. Commonwealth, 888 S.W.2d 669 (Ky. 1994).

Woodcock v. City of Bowling Green, 165 F. Supp. 3d 563 (W.D. Ky. 2016).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.050(3) — 5 cases

Grimes v. McAnulty, 957 S.W.2d 223 (Ky. 1997).

Megan Wilson v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. Ct. App. 2023).

Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Melzena Lulabell Moore (Ky. 2025).

— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 503.050(4) — 13 cases

Commonwealth v. Hasch, 421 S.W.3d 349 (Ky. 2013). “At the same time, a new provision was also added to KRS 503.050, stating: “A person does not have a duty to retreat prior to the use of deadly physical force.”

Commonwealth v. Stone, 291 S.W.3d 696 (Ky. 2009).

Hannah v. Commonwealth, 306 S.W.3d 509 (Ky. 2010). “KRS 503.050 was also amended to state that "[a] person does not have a duty to retreat prior to the use of deadly physical force.”

Patrick Deon Ragland v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 476 S.W.3d 236 (Ky. 2015).

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