Ky. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 509
Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 509.020 (2026)

Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A person is guilty of unlawful imprisonment in the first degree when he knowingly and unlawfully restrains another person under circumstances which expose that person to a risk of serious physical injury. (2) Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree is a Class D felony. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 74, effective January 1, 1975.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 32 cases (12 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Higgs, 59 S.W.3d 886 (Ky. 2001).
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Commonwealth v. Higgs, 59 S.W.3d 886 (Ky. 2001). · cites it 4× “020(3), recklessly, KRS 501.020(4), and restrain, KRS 509.010(2), and defined kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment in the first and second degrees in accordance with the statutory elements of those offenses.”
Timmons v. Commonwealth, 555 S.W.2d 234 (Ky. 1977). · cites it 3× “James Howard Timmons appeals from judgments entered pursuant to a verdict finding him guilty of first-degree unlawful imprisonment (KRS 509.020) and murder (KRS 507.020) and fixing his punishment at five years’ imprisonment and life imprisonment, respectively.”
Edmonds v. Commonwealth, 189 S.W.3d 558 (Ky. 2006). “510, and to being a persistent felony offender in the first degree, KRS 532.080(3). Under the plea agreement, the sentence for each count was enhanced to twenty years because of the persistent felony offender status, and all sentences were to run concurrently for a total of…”
John Gray v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 534 S.W.3d 211 (Ky. 2017). · cites it 2× “As grounds for his argument, appellant asserts that the Commonwealth failed to prove an essential element of first-degree unlawful imprisonment as defined by KRS 509.020(1): that A.H. and T.T. were exposed to a risk of serious physical injury.”
United States v. Michael Johnson, 24 F.4th 590 (6th Cir. 2022). · cites it 2× “Johnson Page 22 another person under circumstances which expose that person to a risk of serious physical injury,” Ky. Rev. Stat. § 509.020(1), and false imprisonment in the second degree if “he knowingly and unlawfully restrains another person,” Ky.”
David Stiger v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 381 S.W.3d 230 (Ky. 2012). “First-degree unlawful imprisonment, KRS 509.020, and impersonating a peace officer, KRS 519.”
United States v. Soto-Sanchez, 623 F.3d 317 (6th Cir. 2010). “As stated previously, only six other states and the District of Columbia define this conduct as kidnapping. The MPC and several other states, including the other states in this Circuit, consider this conduct to constitute a lesser offense of false imprisonment.”
Readnour v. Gibson, 452 S.W.3d 617 (Ky. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “140 (stalking); KRS 509.020 (unlawful imprisonment); KRS 509.”
Jordan v. Commonwealth, 703 S.W.2d 870 (Ky. 1985). “That offense is defined in KRS 509.020, as follows: (1) A person is guilty of unlawful imprisonment in the first degree when he knowingly and unlawfully restrains another person under circumstances which expose that person to a risk of serious physical injury.”
Stinnett v. Commonwealth, 364 S.W.3d 70 (Ky. 2011). “” KRS 509.020(1). Kidnapping, as the still higher offense, requires an additional intent, including an intent to terrorize or cause bodily injury.”
Meadows v. Commonwealth, 178 S.W.3d 527 (Ky. Ct. App. 2005). “KRS 509.020. 4 . KRS 510.070. 5 . KRS510.”
Moffitt v. Commonwealth, 360 S.W.3d 247 (Ky. Ct. App. 2012). “Unlawful imprisonment, as set forth in KRS 509.020, except by a parent; 3. Sex crime; 4.”
Show all 32 citing cases →
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 509.020(1) — 8 cases
John Gray v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 534 S.W.3d 211 (Ky. 2017). “As grounds for his argument, appellant asserts that the Commonwealth failed to prove an essential element of first-degree unlawful imprisonment as defined by KRS 509.020(1): that A.H. and T.T. were exposed to a risk of serious physical injury.”
United States v. Michael Johnson, 24 F.4th 590 (6th Cir. 2022). “Johnson Page 22 another person under circumstances which expose that person to a risk of serious physical injury,” Ky. Rev. Stat. § 509.020(1), and false imprisonment in the second degree if “he knowingly and unlawfully restrains another person,” Ky.”
Stinnett v. Commonwealth, 364 S.W.3d 70 (Ky. 2011). “” KRS 509.020(1). Kidnapping, as the still higher offense, requires an additional intent, including an intent to terrorize or cause bodily injury.”
Mark E. Kelly v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2022).
Jamie Simpson v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2025).
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