Title L, Kentucky Penal Code

KRS Chapters 500 to 534 shall be known as the Kentucky Penal Code.

(1) Common law offenses are abolished and no act or omission shall constitute a criminal offense unless designated a crime or violation under this code or another statute of this state. (2) This provision shall not affect the power of a court to punish for contempt or to employ a…

All provisions of this code shall be liberally construed according to the fair import of their terms, to promote justice, and to effect the objects of the law.

(1) The provisions of this code shall not apply to any offense committed prior to January 1, 1975, notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 446.110. Such an offense must be construed and punished according to the provisions of law existing at the time of the commission thereof in th…

(1) Except as otherwise expressly provided, the prosecution of a felony is not subject to a period of limitation and may be commenced at any time. (2) Except as otherwise expressly provided, the prosecution of an offense other than a felony must be commenced within one (1) year a…

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person may be convicted under the law of this state of an offense committed by his own conduct or the conduct of another for which he is legally accountable when: (a) Either the conduct or the result which is an element of the o…

(1) The Commonwealth has the burden of proving every element of the case beyond a reasonable doubt, except as provided in subsection (3). This provision, however, does not require disproof of any element that is entitled a "defense," as that term is used in this code, unless the …

As used in the Kentucky Penal Code, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Actor" means any natural person and, where relevant, a corporation or an unincorporated association; (2) "Crime" means a misdemeanor or a felony; (3) "Dangerous instrument" means any instrument, inclu…

(1) Except as provided in KRS 500.092, all property which is subject to forfeiture under any section of the Kentucky Penal Code shall be disposed of in accordance with this section. (a) Property other than firearms which is forfeited under any section of this code may, upon order…

violation or attempted violation of certain offenses -- Forfeiture of real and personal property associated with violation or attempted violation of KRS 531.310 or 531.320. (1) (a) Notwithstanding KRS 500.090, all personal property which is not used as a permanent residence in th…

ammunition to prevent their transfer or sale. No court or law enforcement agency shall retain a firearm or ammunition for official use for the purpose of avoiding transfer of the firearm or ammunition to the Department of Kentucky State Police under KRS 237.090 or 500.090, or oth…

(1) In every case in which a person pleads guilty to or is convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment, the judge shall consider whether the person should be sentenced to a term of community service as an alternative to the prison term. The term of community service shall not…

The commentary accompanying this code may be used as an aid in construing the provisions of this code.

request for final disposition. Whenever a person has entered upon a term of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution of this state, and whenever during the continuance of the term of imprisonment there is pending in any jurisdiction of this state any untried indictment…

Kentucky State Police in cases involving use of an internet service provider, social networking company, mobile payment service, or cloud storage service in the exploitation of children and other cases. (1) (a) In any investigation relating to an offense involving KRS 510.155, 53…

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Communications service" means a cable, broadband, streaming, or telecommunications service; and (b) "Surveillance" means: 1. With respect to an owner, tenant, occupant, invitee, or licensee of privately owned real property, the observation of suc…