Missouri § 563.074 Justification as an absolute defense, when.

Missouri Statutes

§ 563.074 — Justification as an absolute defense, when.

Missouri § 563.074

Title XXXVIIICRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS

Ch. 563Defense of Justification

This text of Missouri § 563.074 (Justification as an absolute defense, when.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Missouri primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 563.074 (2026).

Text

1.Notwithstanding the provisions of section 563.016 , a person who uses force as described in sections 563.031 , 563.041 , 563.046 , 563.051 , 563.056 , and 563.061 is justified in using such force and such fact shall be an absolute defense to criminal prosecution or civil liability.

2.The court shall award attorney's fees, court costs, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant has an absolute defense as provided in subsection 1 of this section.

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1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 563.016 , a person who uses force as described in sections 563.031 , 563.041 , 563.046 , 563.051 , 563.056 , and 563.061 is justified in using such force and such fact shall be an absolute defense to criminal prosecution or civil liability.

2. The court shall award attorney's fees, court costs, and all reasonable expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant has an absolute defense as provided in subsection 1 of this section.