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RSMo 491.065effective 28 Aug 2025

Informants, disclosure requirements

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In plain English

When a prosecutor plans to use an informant as a witness in a criminal case, they have to share certain information with the defense lawyer within 14 days. That information includes the informant's criminal history, any deals or benefits the informant was offered in exchange for testifying, what the informant said and when, whether the informant ever took back their story, and other cases where that informant has testified before. Starting January 1, 2026, prosecutors also have to report this kind of information to a state office that tracks it.

Word-for-word law

491.065. s, requirements. — 1. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms mean:

(1) "", any , , reduction or of sentence, or any other , , financial payment, reward, or of current or future conditions of that has been requested or that has been or may, at a future date, be offered or provided in connection with or in exchange for the of an informant who was by the state;

(2) "Informant", a who provides testimony that offers allegedly statements or activities of another person who is under investigation or being charged with an , and the witness:

(a) Is or was with the suspect or ;

(b) Is being by or in the of law ; or

(c) Provides testimony in exchange for any benefit.

2. Beginning January 1, 2026, and thereafter, each shall send the described under (4) of 2 of section 56.750 to the Missouri office of services to be included in the report as defined in subsection 2 of section 56.750.

3. If a prosecuting or circuit attorney a witness to as an informant, the following and information shall be disclosed to all within fourteen days of the by the prosecuting or circuit attorney:

(1) The complete criminal history of the informant, including any charges that are pending or were reduced, amended, or dismissed as part of a plea bargain;

(2) The informant and a copy of any deal, promise, , or benefit that has been requested or that has been or may, at a future date, be offered or provided to the informant in connection with testimony against the defendant's interest;

(3) The substance, time, and place of any statement allegedly given by the defendant to the informant, and the substance, time, and place of any statement given by the informant to a implicating the defendant in the offense charged;

(4) Whether the informant that testimony or statement and, if so, the time and place of the recantation, the nature of the recantation, and the names of the persons who were present at the recantation; and

(5) Information concerning other in any county in which the informant was endorsed by the state to testify against a defendant, including the following:

(a) The case name and number;

(b) The substance of the testimony;

(c) Any cooperation agreement, deal, promise, inducement, or benefit that was requested, offered, or provided to the informant in connection with the informant's testimony; and

(d) Any other information that is requested to be disclosed under the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Missouri, and the Missouri supreme court rules of criminal procedure.

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Source & history notes

(L. 2025 H.B. 495) Severability clause, see § 1.1001

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Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.

RSMo 491.065: Informants, disclosure requirements | KnowMo Laws