{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-503.040","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 503.040","heading":"Execution of public duty.","body":"(1) Unless inconsistent with the ensuing sections of this code defining justifiable use of\nphysical force or with some other provisions of law, conduct which would\notherwise constitute an offense is justifiable when it is required or authorized by a\nprovision of law imposing a public duty or by a judicial decree.\n(2) The justification afforded by subsection (1) applies when:\n(a) The defendant believes his conduct to be required or authorized by the\njudgment or direction of a competent court or tribunal or in the lawful\nexecution of legal process, notwithstanding lack of jurisdiction of the court or\ndefect in the legal process; or\n(b) The defendant believes his conduct to be required or authorized to assist a\npublic officer in the performance of his duties, notwithstanding that the officer\nexceeded his legal authority.","path":["KRS Chapter 503"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=19668","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T21:00:00Z","sha256":"5a582b2dbdffa5920df7d114ac1541f5c819136a3406699cc22bed77e94a861b","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-503.030","next":"us-ky/krs-503.050"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}