(1) The use of physical force by a defendant upon another person is justifiable when the defendant believes that such force is immediately necessary to prevent such other person from:
(a) Committing suicide or inflicting serious physical injury upon himself; or

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Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 503.100

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Deadly physical force: means force which is used with the purpose of causing death or serious physical injury or which the defendant knows to create a substantial risk of causing death or serious physical injury. See Kentucky Statutes 503.010
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Physical force: means force used upon or directed toward the body of another person and includes confinement. See Kentucky Statutes 503.010

(b) Committing a crime involving or threatening serious physical injury to person, substantial damage to or loss of property, or any other violent conduct.
(2) The use of deadly physical force by a defendant upon another person is justifiable under subsection (1)(b) only when the defendant believes that the person whom he seeks to prevent from committing a crime is likely to endanger human life.
(3) The limitations imposed on the justifiable use of force in self-protection by KRS
503.050 and 503.060, for the protection of others by KRS § 503.070, for the protection of property by KRS § 503.080, and for the effectuation of an arrest or the prevention of an escape by KRS § 503.090 apply notwithstanding the criminality of the conduct against which such force is used.
Effective: January 1, 1975
History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 35, effective January 1, 1975.