(1) A person is guilty of distribution of obscene matter when, having knowledge of its
content and character, he:
(a) Sends or causes to be sent into this state for sale or distribution; or
(b) Brings or causes to be brought into this state for sale or distribution; or
(c) In this state, he:
1. Prepares, or
2. Publishes, or
3. Prints, or
4. Exhibits, or
5. Distributes, or
6. Offers to distribute, or
7. Has in his possession with intent to distribute, exhibit or offer to
distribute,
any obscene matter.
(2) Distribution of obscene matter is a Class B misdemeanor unless the defendant has
in his possession more than one unit of material coming within the provisions of
this chapter, in which case it shall be a Class A misdemeanor.
Effective: January 1, 1975
History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 266, effective January 1, 1975.
Notes of Decisions
Video Vill. v. Commonwealth, 825 S.W.2d 288 (Ky. Ct. App. 1992).
“, for distributing obscene material under KRS 531.020. A fine of $10,000 was imposed upon the appellant by the Kenton District Court.”
Rollin v. Off. of Comm'r (W.D. Ky. 2022).
· cites it 6× “The Court also found that the Commissioner failed to explain why Rollin was convicted of distribution of obscene matter, Ky. Rev. Stat. § 531.020, rather than distribution of obscene matter to a minor under Ky.”
Rollin v. Off. of Comm'r (W.D. Ky. 2021).
· cites it 5× “, PageID # 58–59) Second, he admits to pleading guilty in June 2015 to “distribution of obscene matter, one unit” in violation of Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 531.020 but argues that this conviction “doesn’t require a (20) twenty year registry” because “[i]t is a Class B misdemeanor”…”
Rollin v. Off. of Comm'r (W.D. Ky. 2020).
“Plaintiff further states that “I plead guilty to KRS 531.020 one unit. That crime doesn’t involve a minor and doesn’t require me to register as a sex offender, according to KRS 17.”
Walson Joseph v. Commonwealth of Kentucky (Ky. Ct. App. 2026).
“(2) Distribution of obscene materials to minors is a Class A misdemeanor unless the defendant has previously been convicted of violation of this section or of KRS 531.020, in which case it shall be a Class D felony.”
Heflin v. Commonwealth, 689 S.W.2d 621 (Ky. Ct. App. 1985).
· cites it 2× “This is an appeal from the judgment of the McCracken Circuit Court which affirmed appellant’s conviction in district court of distributing obscene materials under KRS 531.020. Appellant’s arrest and conviction arose out of her employment with Beltline News and Arcade Club, Inc.”
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