Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 525.115 (2026)

Violating graves

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A person is guilty of violating graves when he intentionally: (a) Mutilates the graves, monuments, fences, shrubbery, ornaments, grounds, or buildings in or enclosing any cemetery or place of sepulture; or (b) Violates the grave of any person by destroying, removing, or damaging the headstone or footstone, or the tomb over the enclosure protecting any grave; or (c) Digs into or plows over or removes any ornament, shrubbery, or flower placed upon any grave or lot. (2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to ordinary maintenance and care of a cemetery nor the removal and relocation of graves pursuant to procedures authorized by and in accordance with applicable statutes. (3) Violating graves is a Class D felony. (4) The court shall order the defendant to restore the cemetery to its pre-damage condition. Effective: July 15, 2002 History: Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 276, sec. 7, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 123, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000. -- Created 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 420, sec. 2, effective July 14, 1992.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2001–2008 · leading case: Terry v. Commonwealth, 253 S.W.3d 466 (Ky. 2008).
Terry v. Commonwealth, 253 S.W.3d 466 (Ky. 2008). · cites it 12× “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
Employers Ins. of Wausau v. Martinez, 54 S.W.3d 142 (Ky. 2001). “110, desecration of venerated objects, second degree; KRS 525.115, violating graves; KRS 525.120, abuse of a corpse), but found that the insurance policy provisions did not require a conviction of one or more of these offenses.”
Robert (Bob) Terry v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2007). · cites it 5× “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 525.115(1) — 2 cases
Terry v. Commonwealth, 253 S.W.3d 466 (Ky. 2008). “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
Robert (Bob) Terry v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2007). “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 525.115(1)(a) — 2 cases
Terry v. Commonwealth, 253 S.W.3d 466 (Ky. 2008). “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
Robert (Bob) Terry v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2007). “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 525.115(2) — 2 cases
Terry v. Commonwealth, 253 S.W.3d 466 (Ky. 2008). “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
Robert (Bob) Terry v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. 2007). “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
— Ky. Rev. Stat. § 525.115(l)(a) — 1 case
Terry v. Commonwealth, 253 S.W.3d 466 (Ky. 2008). “105) appear superficially different than the elements of violating a grave (KRS 525.115), the former includes the latter.”
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