(a) A person who uses force which, subject to the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-5226, and amendments thereto, is justified pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-5222, 21-5223 or 21-5225, and amendments thereto, is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force, unless the person against whom force was used is a law enforcement officer who was acting in the performance of such officer’s official duties and the officer identified the officer’s self in accordance with any applicable law or the person using force knew or reasonably should have known that the person was a law enforcement officer. As used in this subsection, “criminal prosecution” includes arrest, detention in custody and charging or prosecution of the defendant.

(b) A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force as described in subsection (a), but the agency shall not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause for the arrest.

(c) A prosecutor may commence a criminal prosecution upon a determination of probable cause.

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Terms Used In Kansas Statutes 21-5231

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.