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RSMo 491.015effective 28 Aug 2022

Victim or witness in certain cases not to be interrogated as to prior sexual conduct

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In plain English

In sex crime cases, the past sexual history of a victim or witness generally cannot be brought up in court or asked about during legal proceedings. There are only a few exceptions — like if the victim had prior sexual contact with the defendant and consent is the defense, or if the evidence shows where semen, pregnancy, or disease came from. If a defendant wants to bring up that kind of evidence, a judge holds a private hearing first to decide if it is allowed.

Word-for-word law

491.015. Victim or in certain cases not to be interrogated as to prior sexual conduct. — 1. In s under or prosecutions related to sexual conduct under chapter 568, opinion and reputation of a victim's or witness' prior sexual conduct, acts, or practices is at any trial, , or court and not a subject for inquiry during a or ; evidence of specific instances of a victim's or witness' prior sexual conduct, acts, or practices or the absence of such instances or conduct is inadmissible at any trial, hearing, or any other court proceeding, and not a subject for inquiry during a deposition or discovery, except where such specific instances are:

(1) Evidence of the sexual conduct of a victim or witness with the to prove where consent is a to the alleged crime and the evidence is reasonably contemporaneous with the date of the alleged crime; or

(2) Evidence of specific instances of sexual activity showing alternative source or origin of semen, pregnancy or disease;

(3) Evidence of immediate surrounding circumstances of the alleged crime; or

(4) Evidence relating to the previous of the in cases, where, by , previously chaste character is required to be by the prosecution.

2. Evidence of the sexual conduct, acts, or practices of a victim or witness offered under this section is to the extent that the court finds the evidence relevant to a or .

3. If the defendant proposes to offer evidence of the sexual conduct, acts, or practices of a victim or witness under this section, he or she shall file with the court a written accompanied by an or make an offer of proof on the outside the hearing of the jury. The court shall hold an hearing to determine the sufficiency of the offer of proof and may at that hearing hear evidence if the court deems it necessary to determine the sufficiency of the offer of proof. If the court finds any of the evidence offered admissible under this section the court shall make an stating the scope of the evidence which may be introduced. Objections to any decision of the court under this section may be made by either the prosecution or the defendant in the manner provided by law. The in camera hearing shall be and the court shall set forth its reasons for its ruling. The record of the in camera hearing shall be for to the parties and to the in the event of an or other .

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Source & history notes

(L. 1977 H.B. 502 § 1, A.L. 1986 S.B. 450, A.L. 2022 S.B. 775, et al.) (1987) For purposes of subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section, two years has been held not to be "reasonably contemporaneous", even in circumstances where the element of consent is extraordinary. State v. Foulk, 725 S.W.2d 56 (Mo.App.E.D.) (1993) Rape shield statute is intended to protect complaining witness from questions regarding prior sexual conduct and does not prevent defendant from cross examining witness concerning prior sexual abuse complaint to establish motive for witness to fabricate present complaint. State v. Lampley, 859 S.W.2d 909 (Mo. App. E.D.).

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RSMo 491.015: Victim or witness in certain cases not to be interrogated as to prior sexual conduct | KnowMo Laws