Parent or guardian liable for damages by minor, when, limitation
If a kid under 18 purposely damages someone's property or hurts someone, the kid's parent or guardian (not foster parents) can be ordered to pay up to $2,000 in damages — but only if the parent or guardian was part of the lawsuit. That payment does not erase any remaining money the kid still owes, and the kid can still face criminal charges. A judge can also let the parent and kid work for the victim instead of paying money, if everyone agrees.
537.045. Parent or for by , when, — minor's — work accepted payment. — 1. The parent or guardian, excluding foster parents, of any , under eighteen years of age, in their care and , against whom has been rendered for marking upon, or in any way damaging any property, shall be liable for the payment of that judgment up to an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars, provided that the parent or guardian has been as a in the original . The judgment provided in this to be paid shall be paid to the owner of the property damaged, but such payment shall not be a to any or any against the unemancipated minor for such damage for the balance of the judgment not paid by the parent or guardian.
2. The parent or guardian, excluding foster parents, of any unemancipated minor, under eighteen years of age, in their care and custody, against whom judgment has been rendered for purposely causing personal injury to any individual, shall be liable for the payment for that judgment up to an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars, provided that the parent or guardian has been joined as a party defendant in the original action. The judgment provided in this subsection to be paid shall be paid to the person injured, but such payment shall not be a bar to any criminal action or any proceeding against the unemancipated minor for such damage for the balance of the judgment not paid by the parent or guardian.
3. Upon rendering a judgment in any proceeding under this section, the judge may the parent or guardian, and the minor who damaged the property or caused the personal injury, to work for the owner of the property damaged or the person injured in lieu of payment, if the parent, minor and the owner of the property damaged or the person injured are agreeable.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1965 p. 661 § 1, A.L. 1979 H.B. 207, A.L. 1990 H.B. 1734) Damages by minor, restitution, 211.185 Defacing state buildings, liability, 8.150 Parents liable for minors defacing state capitol, 8.150
Related Missouri laws
Childhood sexual abuse, injury or illness defined
RSMo 537.046
Civil action for damages authorized, sexual and pornographic offenses involving a minor
RSMo 537.047
Civil action not merged in criminal prosecution
RSMo 537.050
Emergency care or assistance at scene of emergency or accident
RSMo 537.038
Emergency care, no civil liability, exceptions (Good Samaritan law)
RSMo 537.037
Sale of alcoholic beverage may be proximate cause of personal injuries or death
RSMo 537.053
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.