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Kentucky · Snapshot 09/05/2026

KRS 503.070: Protection of another.

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. KRS Chapter 503

(1) The use of physical force by a defendant upon another person is justifiable when:

(a) The defendant believes that such force is necessary to protect a third person

against the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force by the other

person; and

(b) Under the circumstances as the defendant believes them to be, the person

whom he seeks to protect would himself have been justified under KRS

503.050 and 503.060 in using such protection.

(2) The use of deadly physical force by a defendant upon another person is justifiable

when:

(a) The defendant believes that such force is necessary to protect a third person

against imminent death, serious physical injury, kidnapping, sexual

intercourse compelled by force or threat, or other felony involving the use of

force, or under those circumstances permitted pursuant to KRS 503.055; and

(b) Under the circumstances as they actually exist, the person whom he seeks to

protect would himself have been justified under KRS 503.050 and 503.060 in

using such protection.

(3) A person does not have a duty to retreat if the person is in a place where he or she

has a right to be.

Collected 2026-09-05T21:00:00Z. Source file · JSON

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