# KRS § 500.080: 500.080 Definitions for Kentucky Penal Code > Kentucky · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.080 ## Section - **Citation:** KRS § 500.080 - **Heading:** 500.080 Definitions for Kentucky Penal Code - **Jurisdiction:** Kentucky - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** KY Code / Title L / Chapter 500 / Section 500.080 ## Text 500.080 Definitions for Kentucky Penal Code. 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, including parts of the human body when a serious physical injury is a direct result of the use of that part of the human body, article, or substance which, under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used, or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury. "Dangerous instrument" may include a laser; (4) "Deadly weapon" means any of the following: (a) A weapon of mass destruction; (b) Any weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged; (c) Any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife; (d) Billy, nightstick, or club; (e) Blackjack or slapjack; (f) Nunchaku karate sticks; (g) Shuriken or death star; or (h) Artificial knuckles made from metal, plastic, or other similar hard material; (5) "Felony" means an offense for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment of at least one (1) year in the custody of the Department of Corrections may be imposed; (6) "Fentanyl derivative" has the same meaning as in KRS 218A.010; (7) "Government" means the United States, any state, county, municipality, or other political unit, or any department, agency, or subdivision of any of the foregoing, or any corporation or other association carrying out the functions of government; (8) "He" means any natural person and, where relevant, a corporation or an unincorporated association; (9) "Impacted by the disaster" means the location or in reasonable proximity to the location where a natural or man-made disaster has caused physical injury, serious physical injury, death, or substantial damage to property or infrastructure; (10) "Laser" means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam, other than a medical laser when used in medical treatment or surgery; (11) "Law" includes statutes, ordinances, and properly adopted regulatory provisions. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, "law" also includes the common law; (12) "Minor" means any person who has not reached the age of majority as defined in KRS 2.015; (13) "Misdemeanor" means an offense, other than a traffic infraction, for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment of not more than twelve (12) months can be imposed; (14) "Natural or man-made disaster" means a tornado, storm, or other severe weather, earthquake, flood, or fire that poses a significant threat to human health and safety, property, or critical infrastructure; (15) "Offense" means conduct for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment or to a fine is provided by any law of this state or by any law, local law, or ordinance of a political subdivision of this state or by any law, order, rule, or regulation of any governmental instrumentality authorized by law to adopt the same; (16) "Person" means a human being, and where appropriate, a public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, a government, or a governmental authority; (17) "Physical injury" means substantial physical pain or any impairment of physical condition; (18) "Possession" means to have actual physical possession or otherwise to exercise actual dominion or control over a tangible object; ans a human being, and where appropriate, a public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, a government, or a governmental authority; (17) "Physical injury" means substantial physical pain or any impairment of physical condition; (18) "Possession" means to have actual physical possession or otherwise to exercise actual dominion or control over a tangible object; (19) "Serious physical injury" means physical injury which creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious and prolonged disfigurement, prolonged impairment of health, prolonged loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ, or eye damage or visual impairment. For a child twelve (12) years of age or less at the time of the injury, or for any person if the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim meets the definition of a family member or member of an unmarried couple as defined in KRS 403.720, or a dating relationship as defined in KRS 456.010, a serious physical injury includes but is not limited to the following: (a) Bruising near the eyes, or on the head, neck, or lower back overlying the kidneys; (b) Any bruising severe enough to cause underlying muscle damage as determined by elevated creatine kinase levels in the blood; (c) Any bruising or soft tissue injury to the genitals that affects the ability to urinate or defecate; (d) Any testicular injury sufficient to put fertility at risk; (e) Any burn near the eyes or involving the mouth, airway, or esophagus; (f) Any burn deep enough to leave scarring or dysfunction of the body; (g) Any burn requiring hospitalization, debridement in the operating room, IV fluids, intubation, or admission to a hospital's intensive care unit; (h) Rib fracture; (i) Scapula or sternum fractures; (j) Any broken bone that requires surgery; (k) Head injuries that result in intracranial bleeding, skull fracture, or brain injury; (l) A concussion that results in the child becoming limp, unresponsive, or results in seizure activity; (m) Abdominal injuries that indicate internal organ damage regardless of whether surgery is required; (n) Any injury requiring surgery; (o) Any injury that requires a blood transfusion; and (p) Any injury requiring admission to a hospital's critical care unit; (20) "Unlawful" means contrary to law or, where the context so requires, not permitted by law. It does not mean wrongful or immoral; (21) "Violation" means an offense, other than a traffic infraction, for which a sentence to a fine only can be imposed; and (22) "Weapon of mass destruction" means: (a) Any destructive device as defined in KRS 237.030, but not fireworks as defined in KRS 227.700; (b) Any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious physical injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors; (c) Any weapon involving a disease organism; or (d) Any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life. ## Nearby sections - [KRS § 500.010 500.010 Title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.010.md) - [KRS § 500.020 500.020 Offenses defined by statute -- Common law abolished](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.020.md) - [KRS § 500.030 500.030 Rule of construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.030.md) - [KRS § 500.040 500.040 Restrictions on applicability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.040.md) - [KRS § 500.050 500.050 Time limitations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.050.md) - [KRS § 500.060 500.060 Territorial applicability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.060.md) - [KRS § 500.070 500.070 Burden of proof -- Defenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.070.md) - [KRS § 500.080 500.080 Definitions for Kentucky Penal Code](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.080.md) - [KRS § 500.090 500.090 Forfeiture](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.090.md) - [KRS § 500.092 500.092 Forfeiture of personal property not used as a residence triggered by 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](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.092.md) - [KRS § 500.093 500.093 Prohibition against court or law enforcement agency retaining firearms or ammunition to prevent their transfer or sale](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.093.md) - [KRS § 500.095 500.095 Alternative sentence of community work](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.095.md) - [KRS § 500.100 500.100 Effect of commentary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.100.md) - [KRS § 500.110 500.110 Trial of prisoner on untried indictment within 180 days after prisoner's request for final disposition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.110.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TL_C500_S500.080. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.